F-35 vs F-15

By: Rocco

Comparing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II vs the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Fighter Jets
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
ICAO: F35 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Fighter Jets
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
ICAO: F15 Status: Active Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer
Lockheed Martin
ICAO code
F35
Produced
2011–Present
Price
$115.5 million (2018)
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
43,000 lbf · 191 kN -10% (total)
Avionics
JSF Cooperative Avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas
ICAO code
F15
Produced
1972–Present
Price
$29.9 million (1998)
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 23,770 lbf · 106 kN +11% (total)
Avionics
F15 HUD, APG-63 and 70 pulse-Doppler radar
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1

Dimensions

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Cabin width
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin height
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin length
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Exterior length
51 ft 6 in 15.70 m 51 ft 6 in 15.70 m -19%
Tail height
14 ft 8 in 4.48 m 14 ft 8 in 4.48 m -21%
Fuselage diameter
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Wing span
35 ft 1 in 10.70 m 35 ft 1 in 10.70 m -18%
Baggage volume
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Cabin width
— — —
Cabin height
— — —
Cabin length
— — —
Exterior length
63 ft 9 in 19.43 m 63 ft 9 in 19.43 m +24%
Tail height
18 ft 6 in 5.64 m 18 ft 6 in 5.64 m +26%
Fuselage diameter
— — —
Wing span
42 ft 10 in 13.06 m 42 ft 10 in 13.06 m +22%
Baggage volume
— — —

Weights

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Max payload
18,000 lb 8,150 kg 18,000 lb 8,150 kg -23%
Fuel capacity
2,760 gal 10,448 L 2,760 gal 10,448 L -36%
Max takeoff weight
70,000 lb 31,800 kg 70,000 lb 31,800 kg +3%
Max landing weight
— — —
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Max payload
23,500 lb 10,700 kg 23,500 lb 10,700 kg +31%
Fuel capacity
4,345 gal 16,448 L 4,345 gal 16,448 L +57%
Max takeoff weight
68,000 lb 30,800 kg 68,000 lb 30,800 kg -3%
Max landing weight
44,500 lb 20,200 kg 44,500 lb 20,200 kg

Performance

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Max cruise speed
1,043 kt · 1,200 mph 1,932 km/h 1,043 kt 1,200 mph 1,932 km/h -36%
Approach speed
250 kt · 288 mph 463 km/h 250 kt 288 mph 463 km/h 0%
Rate of climb
40,000 ft/min 203 m/s 40,000 ft/min 203 m/s -20%
Range
1,500 nm · 1,730 mi 2,780 km 1,500 nm 1,730 mi 2,780 km -50%
Service ceiling
65,000 ft 19,800 m 65,000 ft 19,800 m 0%
Takeoff distance
550 ft 170 m 550 ft 170 m -39%
Landing distance
700 ft 210 m 700 ft 210 m -81%
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Max cruise speed
1,630 kt · 1,876 mph 3,019 km/h 1,630 kt 1,876 mph 3,019 km/h +56%
Approach speed
250 kt · 288 mph 463 km/h 250 kt 288 mph 463 km/h 0%
Rate of climb
50,000 ft/min 254 m/s 50,000 ft/min 254 m/s +25%
Range
3,000 nm · 3,450 mi 5,560 km 3,000 nm 3,450 mi 5,560 km +100%
Service ceiling
65,000 ft 19,800 m 65,000 ft 19,800 m 0%
Takeoff distance
900 ft 280 m 900 ft 280 m +64%
Landing distance
3,600 ft 1,100 m 3,600 ft 1,100 m +416%

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F-15 Eagle are two of the most popular fighter jets in the world. They both have a long history of service and have been used by militaries all over the world. But which one is better?

In this article, we will compare the specs and features of these two aircraft to see which one comes out on top!

About the F-35

The F-35 has several features that make it an advanced aircraft. It is a stealth fighter, meaning it is designed to be difficult for radar to detect. It also has a state-of-the-art computer system that helps the pilot to track enemy aircraft and choose the best time to attack. The F-35 can carry a range of weapons, including missiles and bombs, and it is capable of flying at high speeds and altitudes.

In addition, the F-35 has a special coating that helps to reduce its infrared signature, making it harder for enemy heat-seeking missiles to find and destroy the aircraft.

Why was the F-35 developed & designed?

The F-35 was built and developed as an aircraft that can perform multiple roles within a military force. It is designed to provide air superiority in air-to-air combat, ground support in air-to-ground attacks, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter, which means that it incorporates the latest technologies to provide an advantage over earlier generations of fighters. One of the most significant features of the F-35 is its stealth capability, which makes it difficult for enemy radar to detect the aircraft.

What purpose does the F-35 serve?

The F-35 aircraft is a next-generation fighter jet that serves multiple purposes in the military. It can take off from short runways and land vertically, making it ideal for use on aircraft carriers. It can also carry a larger payload than previous generations of fighter jets, meaning that it can be equipped with a variety of weapons and sensors. Additionally, the F-35’s stealth capabilities make it difficult for enemy radar to detect, giving it an advantage in combat situations.

About the F-15 Eagle

The F-15 aircraft is an American dual-role fighter that first flew in 1972. It is highly maneuverable and has a top speed of Mach 2.5. The F-15 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100 engines, which give it the thrust it needs to take off and climb at a steep angle. The F-15 has a range of over 6,000 miles, making it one of the longest-ranged fighters in the world. The aircraft is armed with a variety of missiles and bombs and can carry up to eight missiles at once.

The F-15 has been used in some conflicts, including the Gulf War, where it proved to be a formidable opponent. Today, the F-15 continues to be one of the most widely used fighter jets in the world.

Why was the F-15 developed & designed?

The F-15 was designed in the early 1970s as an air superiority fighter to counter the Soviet Union’s MiG-25 “Foxbat.” The F-15 has since been produced in several variants, each serving different roles and missions. The F-15C is the most common variant and is used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for air-to-air combat.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat attack aircraft used by the USAF for precision strikes against ground targets. The F-15I Ra’am (Hebrew for “Thunder”) is a variant of the F-15E designed for use by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). It is equipped with Israelisraeli avionics and electronics, as well as conformal fuel tanks and an internal auxiliary power unit. The F-15S/MTD is a multi-role fighter developed for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).

It’s similar to the F-15E Strike Eagle, but with improved avionics for desert operations.

What purpose does the F-15 serve?

The F-15 has several purposes, including air superiority, interdiction, and close air support. F-15s are also used for reconnaissance and ground-attack missions. The F-15 is a twin-engine jet fighter that can reach speeds of Mach 2.5 or approximately 2,650 kilometers per hour. The F-15 has a wingspan of 13 meters and is 20 meters long. The F-15 can carry a variety of weapons, including missiles, bombs, and Fujimori cannons.

F-15s are typically piloted by a crew of two: a pilot and a weapon systems officer. The F-15 has been involved in many conflicts, including the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

Differences between the F-35 & F-15

F-15 fighter jets are primarily designed for air-to-air combat while F-35s are multi-role aircraft that can engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. F-15s have twin engines while F-35s have single engines. F-15s have larger wingspans than F-35s. F-15s can fly at Mach 2.5 and F-35s can fly at Mach 1.6.

F-35s are stealth aircraft while F-15s are not. F-35s have advanced sensors and avionics while F-15s do not. F-15 fighters are being phased out while the F-35 is still in development.

Similarities between the F-35 & F-15

F-35 can hover like a helicopter due to its fan lift system & F-15 is the first tactical fighter that has super maneuverability. They are both stealth fighters & have low observable features to make them harder to detect by enemy radar. F-35 is a single-seat aircraft while F-15 can be operated as a single or two-seater. F-15 has greater range & payload capacity than the F-35. F-35 has replaceable modules so that it can be easily repaired while F-15 does not have this feature. F-35 uses less fuel than F-15 because it is more aerodynamic.

F-35: The Better

The F-35 is better than the F-15 because F-35 uses stealth technology which F-15 doesn’t have. F-35 is a 5th generation fighter jet while F-15 is only a 4th generation. The F-35 has advanced sensors, avionics, and software. The F-35 can share information with other aircraft, ground vehicles, and ships in real-time. The F-35 can take off from shorter runways and land vertically. The F-35 has more internal fuel capacity which increases the range.

The F-35 can carry more weapons. The F-35 is a true multirole fighter that can perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-15 cannot match the F-35’s combination of stealth, maneuverability, and situational awareness.

F-15: The Better

First, the F-15 has a longer range than the F-35. It can fly up to 1,875 miles without refueling, while the F-35 can only fly up to 1,200 miles. Second, the F-15 is faster than the F-35. It can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.5, while the F-35 can only reach speeds of up to Mach 1.6. Third, F-15 has a higher rate of climb than F-35. Fourth, the F-15 has a better weapons system than the F-35. Fifth, the F-15 is more maneuverable than the F-35. Sixth, the F-15 is more reliable than the F-35. Seventh, F-15 has a lower operating cost than F-35.

Conclusion: F-35 vs F-15

The F-35 is a better aircraft than the F-15 because it is stealthier, has advanced sensors and avionics, can share information in real-time, has a longer range, can carry more weapons, and is more maneuverable. However, the F-15 is cheaper to operate and maintain.