F-16 vs F-15: Speed, Range & Combat Comparison | A Versus B

The F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle are two of the most successful and enduring fighter aircraft ever built — both products of the US Air Force's lightweight fighter competition and heavy fighter program of the 1970s, and both still in active production and service in 2026. They represent a fascinating divergence in design philosophy: the F-15 is a large, twin-engine air superiority fighter; the F-16 is a nimble, single-engine multirole fighter — and their continued relevance half a century after their first flights says everything about how good they are.

F-15 Eagle / F-15EX Eagle II: The F-15 Eagle first flew in 1972 and entered service in 1976. Its core mission was pure air-to-air combat — and the F-15's air combat record reflects that specialization: over 100 aerial victories with zero air-to-air losses in any air force. The F-15C/D are the dedicated air-superiority variants; the F-15E Strike Eagle added ground attack capability. The current production version, the F-15EX Eagle II (2021-present), features the APG-82(V)1 AESA radar (most powerful radar of any US tactical aircraft), fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit with 10-inch touchscreen displays, and an extraordinary weapons payload: up to 22 air-to-air missiles simultaneously — more than any other US aircraft. The F-15EX's two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines provide 29,000 lbf thrust each, enabling a top speed of Mach 2.5 and a combat ceiling above 65,000 feet. Unit cost: approximately $87-100M per F-15EX. The F-15 remains in production for the US Air Force and international customers (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Japan). Size: 19.4m length, 13.1m wingspan, maximum takeoff weight 36,700 kg.

F-16 Fighting Falcon / F-16V Block 70/72: The F-16 first flew in 1974 and entered service in 1978 as a lightweight, highly maneuverable complement to the F-15. General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) designed it as a pure dogfighter with a revolutionary fly-by-wire control system and a reclined pilot seat (30° to increase G-tolerance) that together enable 9G maneuvers. The F-16 became the world's most-exported Western fighter: over 4,600 built for 25 nations. The current production version, the F-16V Block 70/72 (2017-present), features the APG-83 SABR AESA radar, an updated mission computer, digital cockpit, and compatibility with advanced missiles including AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120D AMRAAM. A single General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine provides 17,155 lbf (dry) / 29,160 lbf (with afterburner), enabling Mach 2.0 top speed. Unit cost: approximately $64-70M per F-16V. The F-16 is smaller and cheaper to operate than the F-15, with lower fuel burn and maintenance costs.