5 US Fighter Jets With Long-Range Capabilities

The United States military operates some of the most advanced combat aircraft. With high speed, agility, and versatility, these aircraft offer capabilities that are superior to their competitors. We look at the longest range US military fighter jets.

F-15E Strike Eagle

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.5, 1,650 mph
• Combat range: 687 NM (791 mi, 1,272 km)
• Ferry range: 2,100 NM (2,400 mi, 3,900 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks

The F-15 Strike Eagle is an all-weather twin-engine fighter aircraft designed for air defense and attack missions. It has a ferry range of 2,400 miles (3,840 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks. McDonnell Douglas designed the dual-role fighter for air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions, and it carries additional fuel tanks to extend its range significantly.

Two Pratt & Whitney F-100 engines power the F-15E, each producing 14,590 lbf (65 kN) thrust dry and 23,770 lbf (106 kN) with an afterburner.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.05, 1,176 kn (1,353 mph; 2,178 km/h) at 40,000 feet, clean
• Combat range: 295 NM (339 mi, 546 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
• Ferry range: 2,277 NM (2,620 mi, 4,217 km) with drop tanks

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the most popular fighter jets, operated by nearly 30 global air forces. The manufacturer continuously improves its design, which has a ferry range of 1,740 NM (2,000 miles, 3,200 km). The multi-role aircraft is known for its maneuverability and versatility, enabling various combat missions. The F-16 can be equipped with external fuel tanks for extended missions.

A single General Electric F-110-GE-129 powers the jet, producing 17,150 lbf (76 kN) thrust dry and 29,500 lbf (131 kN) with an afterburner. The aircraft can reach a speed of Mach 2.05, making it one of the fastest fighter jets. The F-16 can carry up to four 1,000-lb (454 kg) bombs.

F-22 Raptor

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at high altitude
• Range: 1,600 nmi (1,800 mi, 3,000 km) or more with two external fuel tanks
• Combat range: 595 NM (685 mi; 1,102 km) clean subsonic
• Ferry range: 1,740 NM (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)

The F-22 Raptor is an all-weather stealth superiority fighter designed for ground attack, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance missions. With two external fuel tanks, the aircraft has a ferry range of more than 1,600 NM (1,850 miles). Primarily an air superiority fighter with stealth capabilities, the F-22 can extend its range using external wing fuel tanks for long-range missions.

Photo: Steven Heyano | Shutterstock

Two Pratt & Whitney F-119 augmented engines power the Raptor, each producing 26,000 lbf (116 kN) thrust dry and 35,000 lbf (156 kN) with an afterburner. The aircraft is capable of approaching Mach 2.25, making it suitable for air-to-air missions.

F-35 Lightning II

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 at high altitude
• Range: 1,500 nmi (1,700 mi, 2,800 km)
• Combat range: 669 nmi (770 mi, 1,239 km)

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single-engine, multi-role stealth combat aircraft designed for air superiority missions. The aircraft has three major variants: a conventional variant, F35A, a short takeoff and landing, F-35B, and a carrier-based, F-35C.

Photo: US Air Force

The F-35’s range varies between the variants (F-35A, F-35B, F-35C), with the F-35A having the longest range. The F-35A has a range of more than 1,200 NM (1,350 miles) with internal fuel and unlimited aerial refueling.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
• Cruise speed: 570 kn (660 mph, 1,060 km/h)
• Range: 1,089 nmi (1,253 mi, 2,017 km)
• Combat range: 400 NM (460 mi, 740 km) air-air mission
• Ferry range: 1,800 NM (2,100 mi, 3,300 km)

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a carrier-capable twin-engine aircraft designed as a fighter and attack aircraft, hence the title “F/A.” The aircraft has a range of 1,275 NM (2,346 km). Two General Electric F-404-GE-402 engines power the aircraft, each producing 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust dry and 17,750 lbf (79 kN) with an afterburner. The F/A-18 can achieve high-altitude sustained speeds of Mach 1.8.

Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock

According to the National Museum of the US Navy,

“During Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, the Hornet aircraft proved their versatility when successfully engaging two Iraqi MiG-21 and an enemy A-6 Intruder. Other operations with the aircraft have been Operation Southern Watch from 1992 to 2003 and with flights over Bosnia and Kosovo in the mid-1990s. Hornets have also participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.”