StrawPoll

The Most Advanced Planes, Ranked

Choose the planes you think is the most advanced!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:15
In the realm of aviation, technological advancements are pivotal in pushing boundaries and setting new standards. Ranking the most advanced planes provides a snapshot of where cutting-edge innovation and engineering intersect in the skies. This dynamic overview aids enthusiasts and professionals alike in understanding which aircraft are leading the way in performance, efficiency, and technological prowess. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a broader consensus on which planes truly exemplify the peak of aviation technology. This continuous influx of community feedback ensures the rankings reflect current trends and breakthroughs in the field. Whether you're a seasoned aviator, a fervent hobbyist, or just fascinated by aviation, your votes help highlight the achievements of top-tier aircraft manufacturers and their most innovative machines.

What Are the Most Advanced Planes?

  1. 1
    59
    votes
    F-35 Lightning II
    U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes · Public domain

    F-35 Lightning II

    Lockheed Martin
    This fifth-generation stealth fighter is the most advanced and expensive fighter jet ever built. It has superior maneuverability, advanced avionics, and stealth capabilities.
    The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters designed for ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. It is the result of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, which aimed to develop a cost-effective and highly capable aircraft for multiple branches of the military.
    • Top Speed: 1,200 mph (1,930 km/h, Mach 1.6)
    • Range: 1,350 miles (2,220 km)
    • Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
    • Unit Cost: $77.9 million - $101.3 million (depending on the variant)
    • Armament: Gun, missiles, and bombs (internal and external)
    F-35 Lightning II in other rankings
  3. 2
    29
    votes
    B-2 Spirit
    United States Air Force · Public domain

    B-2 Spirit

    Northrop Grumman
    This stealth bomber is designed to penetrate sophisticated enemy defenses. It has advanced stealth technology, including a radar-absorbing composite material and shape, making it virtually invisible to radar.
    The B-2 Spirit is a stealth strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force.
    • First flight: July 17, 1989
    • Length: 69 ft
    • Wingspan: 172 ft
    • Height: 17 ft
    • Crew: 2
    B-2 Spirit in other rankings
  4. 3
    27
    votes
    F-22 Raptor
    (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dan T. Le/Released) · Public domain

    F-22 Raptor

    Lockheed Martin
    This fifth-generation stealth fighter is designed to dominate the skies. It has advanced avionics, including a radar system that can detect and track enemy aircraft from a long distance.
    The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet built for air superiority. It is designed to have stealth capabilities and advanced avionics to defeat modern air defense systems.
    • Max speed: 1,500 mph
    • Ceiling: 65,000 ft
    • Range: 1,840 miles
    • Thrust: 35,000 lbf
    • Length: 62 ft
    F-22 Raptor in other rankings
  5. 4
    19
    votes

    Su-57

    This Russian fifth-generation stealth fighter is designed to compete with the F-35. It has advanced avionics and stealth capabilities, as well as a long-range air-to-air missile system.
    The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet designed and manufactured by the Russian aerospace company Sukhoi. It is also known as the T-50 and PAK FA. The Su-57 is intended to be a direct competitor to the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
    • Maximum speed: 2,441 km/h
    • Range: 3,500 km
    • Ceiling: 20,000 m
    • Thrust vectoring: Yes
    • First flight: 29 January 2010
  6. 5
    21
    votes
    Eurofighter Typhoon
    Jwnabd · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Eurofighter Typhoon

    Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH
    This European fighter jet is designed for air-to-air combat and ground attack. It has advanced avionics and weapons systems, as well as a high degree of maneuverability.
    The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, delta-wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by a consortium of European countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. It is known for its high agility, advanced avionics, and heavy use of composite materials.
    • Length: 15.96m
    • Wingspan: 10.95m
    • Height: 5.28m
    • Empty weight: 11,000 kg
    • Max takeoff weight: 23,500 kg
    Eurofighter Typhoon in other rankings
  7. 6
    7
    votes
    Chengdu J-20
    Alert5 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chengdu J-20

    This Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter is designed to compete with the F-35 and F-22. It has advanced avionics and stealth capabilities, as well as a long-range air-to-air missile system.
    Chengdu J-20 in other rankings
  8. 7
    6
    votes
    Dassault Rafale
    Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) · CC BY-SA 2.0

    Dassault Rafale

    Dassault Aviation
    This French fighter jet is designed for air-to-air combat and ground attack. It has advanced avionics and weapons systems, as well as a high degree of maneuverability.
    The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, delta-wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. It is considered one of the most advanced planes in the world, featuring advanced avionics and weapons systems.
    • Length: 15.3 m
    • Wingspan: 10.8 m
    • Height: 5.3 m
    • Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg
    • Max speed: 2,223 km/h
    Dassault Rafale in other rankings
  9. 8
    4
    votes
    F-15 Eagle
    US Air Force Photo · Public domain

    F-15 Eagle

    This fourth-generation fighter jet has been in service since the 1970s but has been upgraded with advanced avionics and weapons systems. It is still considered one of the most capable fighter jets in the world.
    The F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather, tactical fighter jet designed for air supremacy and air-to-ground missions. It has been in service with the United States Air Force since 1976 and has proven to be a reliable and versatile aircraft. The F-15 has been used in numerous conflicts and has a proven record of success in air-to-air combat, with an overall kill-to-loss ratio of 104 to 0. It is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.5 and can climb to an altitude of over 60,000 feet. The F-15 has a length of 63 feet, a wingspan of 42.8 feet, and a height of 18.5 feet.
    • Top speed: Mach 2.5+
    • Climb rate: 50,000+ ft/min
    • Combat radius: 1,061 nmi
    • Ceiling: 65,000 ft
    • Max takeoff weight: 68,000 lbs
  10. 9
    5
    votes
    F-16 Fighting Falcon
    Capt. Tana R.H. Stevenson, U.S. Air Force · Public domain

    F-16 Fighting Falcon

    This fourth-generation fighter jet has been in service since the 1970s but has been upgraded with advanced avionics and weapons systems. It is still considered one of the most capable fighter jets in the world.
    The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic fighter aircraft that was developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force (USAF). It is a lightweight fighter, highly maneuverable and capable of achieving speeds in excess of Mach 2. It was designed as an air superiority day fighter but has evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft.
    • Top speed: Mach 2.05 (1,500 mph)
    • Range: 2,665 km (1,500 mi) with drop tanks
    • Ceiling: 15.2 km (50,000 ft)
    • Engine: General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229
    • Weight: 8,570 kg (18,870 lb) empty, 12,000 kg (26,460 lb) normal takeoff
    F-16 Fighting Falcon in other rankings
  11. 10
    2
    votes

    MiG-35

    This Russian fighter jet is an upgraded version of the MiG-29. It has advanced avionics and weapons systems, as well as a high degree of maneuverability.
    The MiG-35 is a 4++ generation multirole fighter jet designed by the Russian company Mikoyan. It is an improved version of the MiG-29, which was first introduced in the mid-1980s.
    • Max speed: 2,400 km/h
    • Range: 1,000 km (with external fuel tanks)
    • Crew: 1 or 2 (optional)
    • Payload: 6,500 kg
    • Weapons: 30 mm cannon; air-to-air, air-to-ground, anti-ship, and anti-radiation missiles; guided and unguided bombs; rockets; and others

Missing your favorite planes?

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Ranking factors for advanced planes

  1. Performance
    This includes factors like top speed, range, ceiling, and maneuverability. The capability of the plane to perform in various flight conditions and perform specific tasks is essential.
  2. Stealth
    Advanced planes often have state-of-the-art stealth technology to minimize their radar signature, making them harder to detect by enemy forces.
  3. Avionics
    The sophistication of the avionics suite onboard is crucial for navigation, communication, and sensor capabilities. This includes radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and advanced communication options.
  4. Weapons Systems
    The capability of the plane to carry and deploy a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and precision-guided bombs, is a significant factor in its effectiveness in combat.
  5. Engine Technology
    Newer and more advanced engines provide better fuel efficiency, thrust, and reliability. This can increase the plane's overall performance and capabilities.
  6. Materials and Design
    Advanced materials like carbon-fiber composites and advanced aerodynamic designs can significantly improve the strength, weight, and overall performance of the aircraft.
  7. Multirole Capability
    The ability of the plane to perform various tasks, such as air superiority, ground attack, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare, is essential in modern military operations.
  8. Ease of Maintenance and Upgrades
    Advanced planes should be designed with ease of maintenance and upgradeability in mind. This ensures that the aircraft remains relevant and functional over time with minimal downtime.
  9. Interoperability
    Advanced planes should be able to integrate and collaborate with other platforms, such as drones, and other branches of the military for more effective operations.
  10. Cost
    While not a direct measure of advancement, an aircraft's overall cost and affordability must be considered since it impacts a government's ability to procure and maintain it.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most advanced planes. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or plane is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1529 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each plane once every 24 hours. The rank of each plane is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most advanced planes

When it comes to aviation technology, planes have come a long way since the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903. Today, we have some of the most advanced planes that can fly faster, higher, and farther than ever before. From supersonic fighters to massive cargo planes, the aviation industry has made significant strides in designing and developing cutting-edge aircraft. These advanced planes feature sophisticated technologies, including state-of-the-art engines, advanced avionics, and composite materials, making them more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most advanced planes in the world and what makes them unique.

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