1. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II
- An upgraded version of the legendary F-15, featuring improved avionics, weapons capacity, and survivability.
- It can carry more air-to-air missiles than any other fighter in the U.S. Air Force.
- Designed for long service life and easy upgrades.
2. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- A twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter.
- Used by the U.S. Navy and several allied air forces.
- Features advanced avionics, stealth enhancements, and high maneuverability.
3. Boeing EA-18G Growler
- An electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
- Specializes in electronic attack, jamming enemy radar and communications.
- Used mainly by the U.S. Navy for suppressing enemy air defenses.
4. Boeing T-7A Red Hawk
- A next-generation advanced jet trainer developed for the U.S. Air Force.
- Designed with a modular structure for easy upgrades and long-term use.
5. Boeing X-32 (Experimental)
- A stealth fighter prototype that competed in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program but lost to the Lockheed Martin F-35.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
- Role: Air superiority fighter
- Features:
- Stealth technology for low radar visibility
- Supercruise capability (can sustain supersonic speeds without afterburners)
- Advanced avionics and sensor fusion
- Extreme maneuverability with thrust vectoring
2. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
- Role: Multirole stealth fighter (designed for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic warfare)
- Variants:
- F-35A: Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) used by the U.S. Air Force
- F-35B: Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) used by the U.S. Marine Corps
- F-35C: Carrier-based variant used by the U.S. Navy
- Features:
- Stealth design for low observability
- Advanced sensor fusion and network capabilities
- High adaptability for various mission roles
3. Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Originally by General Dynamics)
- Role: Multirole fighter
- Features:
- Highly maneuverable and versatile
- Used by multiple air forces worldwide
- Modern variants have improved avionics and weapons systems
4. Lockheed Martin F-117 Nighthawk (Retired)
- Role: Stealth attack aircraft
- Features:
- First operational stealth aircraft
- Designed for precision strikes with minimal radar detection
- Retired in 2008, though some are still in limited use for testing
5. Lockheed Martin X-44 MANTA (Concept)
- Role: Next-generation stealth fighter concept
- Features:
- Tailless design for enhanced stealth
- Advanced thrust vectoring for high agility
- Considered as a potential evolution of stealth fighter technology
Boeing vs. Lockheed Martin Fighter Jets: A Comparison
Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin are major players in the U.S. defense industry, producing some of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. Below is a comparison of their key aircraft based on
stealth, speed, maneuverability, avionics, and mission roles.
1. Stealth Technology
- Lockheed Martin:
- Pioneered modern stealth with the F-117 Nighthawk and later the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
- The F-22 and F-35 are both designed with low observability, using radar-absorbent materials and internal weapon bays.
- Boeing:
- The F-15EX and F/A-18 Super Hornet have limited stealth, relying on electronic warfare rather than full stealth shaping.
- Boeing lost the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) competition to Lockheed Martins F-35 with its X-32 prototype.
- Boeing is working on stealth capabilities in future programs (e.g., NGAD fighter, MQ-28 Ghost Bat).
? Winner: Lockheed Martin (F-22 F-35 dominate in stealth).
2. Speed Supercruise
- Lockheed Martin:
- F-22 Raptor is one of the only fighters with sustained supercruise (Mach 1.8) without afterburners.
- F-35 is slower (Mach 1.6) and prioritizes stealth over speed.
- Boeing:
- The F-15EX Eagle II is one of the fastest non-stealth fighters, reaching Mach 2.5.
- The F/A-18 Super Hornet is slower (Mach 1.6), designed for carrier operations.
? Winner: Lockheed Martin (F-22s supercruise is unmatched, but Boeings F-15EX has higher top speed).
3. Maneuverability Dogfighting
- Lockheed Martin:
- The F-22 is the most maneuverable jet in service, with thrust vectoring and superior aerodynamics.
- The F-35 is less maneuverable, relying on stealth and sensors over dogfighting.
- Boeing:
- The F-15EX is extremely maneuverable for a non-stealth jet but lacks thrust vectoring.
- The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is good in dogfights but outclassed by the F-22.
? Winner: Lockheed Martin (F-22 is the best air superiority fighter ever built).
4. Avionics Sensor Fusion
- Lockheed Martin:
- F-35 leads in sensor fusion, integrating radar, infrared, and data-linking with unparalleled battlefield awareness.
- F-22 has excellent sensors but lacks the advanced networking of the F-35.
- Boeing:
- The F-15EX has a powerful APG-82 AESA radar and modernized avionics.
- The EA-18G Growler is unmatched in electronic warfare.
? Winner: Lockheed Martin (F-35s sensor fusion and networking give it a major edge).
5. Mission Roles
| Feature |
Lockheed Martin |
Boeing |
| Air Superiority |
F-22 Raptor |
F-15EX Eagle II |
| Multirole Fighter |
F-35 Lightning II |
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet |
| Electronic Warfare |
F-35 (partial EW capabilities) |
EA-18G Growler (best in EW) |
| Carrier-Based |
F-35C |
F/A-18E/F |
?
Tie: Lockheed Martin dominates in air superiority and stealth multirole, but Boeing excels in electronic warfare and legacy multirole fighters.
Final Verdict
| Category |
Winner |
| Stealth |
Lockheed Martin |
| Speed |
Tie (F-22 supercruise vs. F-15EX top speed) |
| Maneuverability |
Lockheed Martin (F-22) |
| Avionics |
Lockheed Martin (F-35 sensor fusion) |
| Electronic Warfare |
Boeing (EA-18G Growler) |
| Carrier Capability |
Tie (F-35C vs. F/A-18E/F) |
