50 Best Military Aircraft of All Time, Ranked

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the most combat-tested fighter of the 21st century. It has flown strike missions over Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya while simultaneously serving as the U.S. Navy's primary air superiority fighter, electronic attack platform (EA-18G Growler variant), and aerial refueling tanker. No other aircraft in any navy's inventory can match its combination of versatility, reliability, and carrier compatibility.

The Super Hornet replaced the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, and S-3 Viking, absorbing the missions of three different aircraft into one airframe. Its combat radius, payload capacity, and sensor suite make it a formidable multirole platform, and the Block III upgrade adds conformal fuel tanks, advanced networking, and a reduced radar signature. Over 600 have been delivered to the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. While the F-35C is gradually assuming more of the air wing's workload, the Super Hornet will remain the backbone of carrier aviation through the 2040s, a testament to the value of proven, reliable military equipment over bleeding-edge defense technology.