Top 5 Best Fighter Jets in the World

There are many types of fighter jets across the globe, and many have unique features that put them in classes of their own, but a highly debated topic is which fighters are the best. 

Making these decisions can be very tough based on which aircraft have what features, as some have speed on their side while others might have looks or firepower. Regardless, here's a list of the top 5 fighter jets in the world. 

5: F-18 Hornet

Few aircraft are known more than the F-18 Hornet, and this classic twin-engine fighter is the workhorse of the U.S. Navy, along with its impressive global market share among other countries. 

Used by the Blue Angels and many other countries as part of their demo fleets, the F-18 is one of those aircraft you know will put on a great show. 

4: A-10 Warthog

This one joins the list as one of the most recognizable sounds in military aviation. The high-powered, fully automatic Gatling gun on the front of the aircraft has an unmistakable buzz when fired off and is the high point of any demonstration flight (if used) at an airshow. 

The sound alone gives chills up your spine and builds into the legacy this fighter jet has created over its storied career.

3: F-16 Fighting Falcon 

Another of the most iconic series of fighters, the F-16 is a global platform that serves as a major component in the Air Force of numerous countries worldwide. 

Most notably known for being the aircraft of choice for the U.S. Air Force's demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, the F-16 has earned its place as one of the most successful fighter aircraft ever. 

2: F-22 Raptor

An aircraft exclusive to the United States, the F-22 Raptor is a high-performance stealth fighter that serves as the leading class of next-generation fighters. Meant to be the precursor to the F-35, the F-22 was designed for the U.S. Air Force to be a multi-purpose aircraft capable of precision strikes and surveillance. 

Its twin pivoting engine exhausts and incredible maneuver capabilities put the aircraft in a class of its own, with an astonishing performance routine displayed at air shows. 

1: F-14 Tomcat

Its shape is unmistakable, its folding wings are like no other, and it earned stardom in two movies that heavily emphasize the versatile jet. That can only be none other than the F-14 Tomcat. 

And aircraft many believe should have been preserved, the F-14 has created a legacy few other aircraft can join the ranks of. Its storied career and fame are why I have it at the top of my list, and it's a plane I would go to great lengths to see fly again. 

Summary

All of the fighter jets on this list are cool in their own right. As mentioned before, some readers may have a different list than mine. But we must cherish our favorite fighter jets, as one day, they could go the way of the F-14 and never fly again.