Both the F-15 and F-16 are some of the best and most produced fighter jets in the world. Despite this, F-15s and F-16s have never fought one another directly, leading many avgeeks, generals to wonder: F-15 or F-16?
The F-15 and F-16 are both fighter jets, serving in several different roles for several different militaries. Both F-15s and F-16s often serve alongside one another in different conflicts, often playing to their own strengths.
F-15 vs F-16: What is a Fighter Jet?
I know. I know. But before we can really compare the F-15 and F-16, we need to truly understand what a fighter jet is.
A fighter jet is a jet powered aircraft (unlike other fighters like the P-51 Mustang or Spitfire). It is specifically designed for air-to-air combat with other aircraft from an opposing military.
The role of a fighter jet is air superiority- using either advanced technology or high numbers of fighters to beat the enemy. However, modern aerial warfare has made this role mostly outdated.
This was even present as early as the late 1970’s and 1980’s, with US pilots unable and unwilling to fire on Soviet aircraft, causing a diplomatic incident. As such, other roles were devised for fighter jets.
For the most part, these roles stuck to a “fighter” role. Some fighters are also fighter-bombers (able to do both ground bombing as well as aerial combat) as well as interceptors, night fighters and heavy fighters.
Most fighter jets produced since then, most notably the F-16 and F-18, have been able to carry out most of these roles. Aircraft produced before then, including the F-15, have been retrofitted with tech to help them!
F-15 vs F-16: The Basics
Before we can compare the F-15 and F-16, we must first know some basics about them!
F-15
In 1967, the Soviet Union unveiled the MiG-25, at the time, the most advanced fighter on the planet. Early encounters between F-4 Phantoms and MiG-25s hadn’t ended well, with the MiG-25 decimating the F-4s.
The US had previously been worried about the MiG-23, which had similarly outclassed the F-4 over Vietnam. As such, the US began to worry that the USSR was going to outclass them in almost every regard.
Acting on those worries, the US military called upon US aircraft manufacturers to produce aircraft superior to the MiG-23 and MiG-25. Both the US Navy and USAF had originally agreed to buy the same aircraft, but didn’t in the end.
General Dynamics, Fairchild Republic, North American Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas all submitted proposals. All of them, except General Dynamics were given money to build mock ups.
By June 1968, the USAF had evaluated all of the proposals and had settled McDonnell Douglas’ design. In December 1969, the USAF announced that McDonnell Douglas’ design would enter service as the F-15 Eagle.
The F-15 first flew on July 27 1972, before entering service with the USAF on January 9 1978. Since then, the F-15 has become the primary fighter of several air forces, including the Japanese and Israeli Air Forces.
F-16
By most standards, the Vietnam War was a military disaster on the US’s part. The F-4 Phantoms used against the Vietnamese were good, however, we not totally effective against them.
As such, in the 1960’s, former Korean war pilot (and Vietnam-era pilot trainer) Colonel John Boyd and Mathematician Thomas Christie founded what is today known as the “Fighter Mafia”.
The Fighter Mafia lobbied, and was successful in establishing a new fighter program- the Lightweight Fighter program. Both General Dynamics and Northrop submitted designs.
After a lot of back and forth, the USAF and Congress chose the General Dynamics YF-16 over the Northrop YF-17. Although the Navy eventually became interested in the YF-17, becoming the F-18.
In January 1975, General Dynamics produced 8 YF-16s, now designated as F-16 Fighting Falcons for the USAF. This commenced the production of F-16s for the USAF and other militaries around the world.
The F-16 had its first (official) test flight on February 2 1974, having previously had an unofficial one on January 20 1974. The F-16 entered service on August 17 1978 with the USAF.
F-15 vs F-16: Specs
Both the F-15 and F-16 were incredibly successful military aircraft. As such, Both McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics (eventually Lockheed) designed several variants of the F-15 and F-16 respectively.
The most common variant of the F-15 is the F-15C, currently in service with the USAF and other air forces. The most common variant of the F-16 is the F-16C, currently in service with the USAF, among others.
| Specifications | F-15C | F-16C |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Wingspan | 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m) | 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m) |
| Length | 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m) | 49 ft 5 in (15.1 m) |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Speed | Mach 2.5 (2,655 km/h; 1,650 mph; 1,434 kn) | Mach 2.05 (2,531 km/h; 1,573 mph; 1,367 kn) |
| Combat Range | 1,061 nmi (1,221 mi, 1,965 km) | 295 nmi (339 mi, 546 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 65,000 ft (20,000 m) | 50,000 ft (15,000 m) |
| G Limits | +9:-3.5 | +9; -3.5 |
| Armament | M-61A1 cannon; 4x AIM-9 Sidewinder; 4x AIM-120 AMRAAMs; 8x AIM-120 AMRAAM | 2x M-61A1; 6x air-to-air/air-to ground missiles |
F-15 vs F-16: Cost
Both the F-15 and F-16 are multimillion dollar pieces of military equipment, but, when push comes to shove, which aircraft is cheaper in the long run?
F-15
Assuming that you are a military wanting to purchase a brand new F-15E from Boeing, it’s likely going to set you back around $80 million. With that being said, purchasing a used one will be much cheaper.
However, I’m going to assume that you aren’t a military. Instead, you’re probably an aviator looking to buy a former military F-15 for airshows and the like.
Only a few private owners operate F-15s for national security reasons. As such, it s very difficult to find an F-15 on sale, however, it is likely going to put you back anywhere between $5 million and $20 million.
In terms of fuel, insurance and all other costs associated with owning an F-15, it costs roughly $27,000 per hour to operate a brand new F-15E. However, older variants are much less fuel consuming.
Sadly, it is almost impossible to get a flight in a former military F-15. However, several companies around the world offer F-15 simulator, “flight experience” flights ranging based on the time and variant used.
F-16
Again, assuming that you were a military wanting to buy a brand new F-16 from Lockheed Martin, it will likely set you back around $30 million. However, once again a used F-16 will be a lot cheaper.
With that being said, you probably aren’t a military, likely a former F-16 pilot for the military. Assuming that you pass the medical tests and are certified to fly the F-16, you can pick one up for as little as $8 million!
However, for an F-16 that has become quite famous (for whatever reason) or is a newer variant, such as the F-16B or F-16C/D, it could set you back as much as $20 million.
In terms of operating costs, the F-16 cost around $8,000 per hour to operate. This includes fuel, insurance, and every other cost associated with owning a fighter jet. However, F-16As are a little more expensive to operate.
Assuming you are rich enough, you can buy an air experience flight in a surplus F-16. These flights are naturally quite cheap or expensive depending on whether you use a simulator or a real F-16, raging from $50 to $5000.
F-15 vs F-16: Operations
Both the F-15 and F-16 are currently in service and have seen active front line service in several conflicts. Both Iraq and Afghanistan are probably the most recent and famous deployments of F-15s and F-16s.
F-15
The first major use of the F-15 was during Operation Opera. Israeli F-15s acted as escort aircraft to the F-16s that destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor outside of Baghdad.
Israel further utilized their F-15s during the First Lebanon War. Here, Israeli F-15s were used as air superiority fighters against the Soviet-made Lebanese fighters.
Subsequently, Israel also used their F-15 fleet during Operation Wooden Leg in October 1985. Here, Israeli Air Force F-15s bombed the Palestine Liberation Army’s headquarter in Tunisia.
Perhaps the most famous, non-contentious use of F-15s was during the Gulf War. Here, American (and allied) F-15s continuously bombarded Iraq, in an attempt to beat back Saddam Hussein.
F-15s have also been used by the US in Afghanistan as well as by Saudi Arabia in the as yet ongoing Yemeni Civil War. F-15s are scheduled to be phased out by squadrons of F-22s and F-35s respectively.
F-16
During the aforementioned Operation Opera, six Israeli F-15s escorted eight F-16s into Iraq. Here, the F-16s engaged in air-to-ground combat resulting in the destruction of Iraq’s nuclear reactor outside of Baghdad.
Whilst in Pakistani Air Force service, Pakistani F-16s have taken part in several conflicts; including the Soviet-Afghan War. Here, Pakistani F-16s shot down several intruding Soviet and Afghan aircraft.
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, several nationalist factions fought one another for dominance. The UN intervened and brought a peacekeeping force, with F-16s from several nations being the most common aircraft.
Perhaps the most famous use of the F-16 was during the First Gulf War. Here, F-16s flew the majority of sorties over Iraq, helping to cripple Saddam Hussein’s control over occupied Kuwait.
During the war in Afghanistan, the F-16 has been the primary aircraft involved in beating back the Taliban. The F-16 has flown thousands of sorties, protecting thousands of troops from every nation.
Although still in service, the F-16 is becoming outdated. For the most part, it is due to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, although the date that this will happen has changed several times in recent years.
F-15 vs F-16: Opinions
As usual, many different groups of people have their own opinions on both the F-15 and the F-16. As such, I decided to ask these different groups of people one important question: F-15 vs F-16: Which is the better aircraft?
Pilots
As with the F-22 and F-35 article I did a while ago, most pilots tend to (naturally) prefer their own aircraft. Luckily, I managed to interview three F-15 pilots and one F-16 pilot.
Of those three F-15 pilots, one was a close friend of mine. He is a former F-15 pilot and USAF Major. When I interviewed him, he had this to say about the F-15:
Of all the aircraft I have ever flown, the F-15B is probably the most difficult. It is still very much a 1960’s aircraft, without things like fly-by-wire. But perhaps the most difficult part about the aircraft is its power.
The aircraft is naturally one of the fastest aircraft ever. To do this, it needs a lot of power. Even when you’re flying subsonically, or just slightly over the speed of sound, you can definitely feel that power!
International Aviation HQ Editor-in-Chief, Christopher Harrow is a former F-16 pilot. When I interviewed him, he has this to say about the F-16:
The F-16 is certainly the most agile aircraft I’ve ever flown. It’s ability to bank far quicker than any other aircraft of its time has led it to becoming endemic across the world. When compared with other modern fighters, it is much faster!
Avgeeks
As always I interviewed several members of the avgeek community. As always, there was a 50-50 split between those avgeeks who preferred the F-15 and those avgeeks who preferred the F-16.
For those avgeeks who preferred the F-15, the often spoke about its role as the US’s primary fighter jet for the past 45 years. They also talked about how almost every military avgeek has at least a few hundred shots of the F-15 too!
The reason that most avgeeks who preferred the F-16 gave was that the F-16 was more common aircraft. Whilst avgeeks may have a hundred shots of F-15s, they have two hundred shots of F-16s!
Surprisingly, there was another, albeit minor, group who preferred neither aircraft. Some of them couldn’t decide on which aircraft they preferred, whilst some preferred contemporary British, Russian or French fighters.
Public
The Air Force is funded through taxpayer dollars, and whenever something bad happens, the media reports on it like there is no tomorrow! As such, I decided to interview a random members of the public to see their opinions!
For the most part, the F-15 and the F-16 have been mostly free of controversy. Neither aircraft has really suffered from costly delays and training deficiencies like other aircraft.
The vast majority of the public didn’t really have much of an opinion on either aircraft. Of those who gave a straight response, most of them preferred the more common F-16, as many of them have seen it since childhood.
Some gave quite interesting and/or unique responses, with the most common being that is a very iconic aircraft. Other reasons range from “I don’t know why” to “My Dad flew it in the USAF”.
Me
Personally, I’m quite split over this article. I love both the F-15 and the F-16 for completely different reasons. In all honesty, I am not too sure which aircraft I would pick if I ultimately had to.
As a child, I spent much of my time at airshows, many of which featured F-15s and F-16s from different countries. However, flights from both aircraft often made me stop and stare, for completely different reasons.
For me, the rumble of the F-15’s engines are iconic. They rumble during takeoff which draws the crowd’s attention to them, even if they don’t necessarily want to. This rumble is still present during the display as well!
What the F-16 lacks in extremely powerful engines, it gains in elegance. Throughout the entire display, the F-16 is very elegant, with every aerobatic move flowing into the other, which isn’t prevalent on the F-15.
Summary
On the surface of it, it may seem as though the F-15 is the superior aircraft. The F-15 is both longer and taller than the F-16, not to mention also having a wider wingspan than the F-16.
If necessary, the F-15 can also travel 0.45 Mach faster than the F-16 (although both aircraft are some of the fastest aircraft in the world!) Not to mention also traveling 15,000 ft (5,000 m) higher than the F-16!
The F-15 also has a far longer combat range, being almost triple the combat range of the F-16. On most missions, the F-15 is also more heavily armed than the F-16, giving it a better chance of defending itself.
With that being said, both can pull roughly the same amount of g’s on both ends, meaning that if it comes down to aerobatics, neither aircraft has the advantage. Both also only need one crew member- the pilot.
However, the F-16 is almost one third the price of the F-15. As such, there are roughly 4,600 F-16s compared to roughly 1,500 F-15s. And as they say, there is strength in numbers…
F-15 vs F-16- Which is the better aircraft? Tell me in the comments!