More than a hundred years ago, mankind discovered the third dimension for itself - the Wright brothers' plane went up to the sky. Very little time passed, and the air ocean turned into another battlefield - combat aircraft became a significant factor seriously influencing the outcome of ground operations.
For the first time, combat aircraft began to be massively used during the First World War. At first, military aircraft were unarmed, they were mainly used to conduct air reconnaissance and bombing (if this term can be called manual dropping various explosive objects on the enemy’s head). The very idea of air combat seemed to many absurd and impossible. Soon, however, machine guns were installed on airplanes, fighter aircraft appeared, and fierce battles took place in the sky.
The period between the two world conflicts military aircraft developed rapidly - combat aircraft became faster, more powerful, more deadly.
The Second World War clearly demonstrated the combat potential of aviation: the dive bomber Yu-87 “Stuck” became a real symbol of the German Blitzkrieg, and the American “flying fortresses” B-17 turned the German cities into rubble. In the postwar period, the value of combat aviation only increased, the era of jet aircraft began.
At present, the importance of the air force has increased so much that combat aircraft alone can decide the outcome of an armed conflict. Today, many countries in the world spend billions of dollars on the creation of new, more and more advanced combat aircraft, and designers are striving to make them faster, less visible and more efficient.
On the Internet, people often argue about the merits and demerits of an aircraft, comparing their flight performance, figuring out which of the machines is the best. It is difficult to talk about which of the modern aircraft is stronger, to answer this question can only be the participation of these combat vehicles in a serious full-scale conflict.
We have prepared for you a rating that includes the best military aircraft from different countries and historical periods. Our top 10 included not only fighters, but also assault and bomber aircraft. The criterion for getting into our rating of the best combat aircraft are not only the excellent flight performance of the combat vehicle, but also the revolutionary nature of its design, as well as the impact that a particular aircraft had on the development of aviation.
So, the top 10 best planes in the world from different historical periods.
10. Fokker DR1 Triplane
This German aircraft is one of the most famous fighters of the First World War. It was created in 1917 and became a real engineering breakthrough of that era. On the Fokker DR1 Triplane flew the famous German ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known to the general public as the "Red Baron".
Compared with biplanes, the Fokker DR1 Triplane fighter had much greater maneuverability and climb.
9. "Ilya Muromets"
At the ninth place of the top 10 is the legendary multi-engined aircraft, created in Russia on the eve of the First World War. After it began, "Ilya Muromets" became the first heavy bomber in the world. On this plane, several flight range and payload records were set. "Ilya Muromets" was the first successful project of Igor Sikorsky, a genius from Kiev.
A total of 76 units of this aircraft of various modifications were built. After the outbreak of World War I, a special squadron was created, consisting of heavy bombers "Ilya Muromets". The latest modifications of this aircraft could take on board about 1500 kg of bombs - an unheard of power for that time. In addition to bombs, defensive weapons were installed on Illya Muromets, from two to six machine guns.
The rest of the countries of the First World War quickly appreciated the successful experience of Russia - soon heavy multi-engined bombers appeared in service with France, Germany, and Great Britain.
Igor Sikorsky did not accept the revolution and emigrated from Russia to the USA.
8. Junkers Ju 87 "Stuck".
At the eighth place of the top 10 is a single-engine German dive bomber U-87 - one of the most famous combat aircraft of the Second World War. He became a symbol of the German Blitzkrieg in Western Europe and on the Eastern Front.
This aircraft had non-retractable landing gear (Soviet soldiers called it a “laptezhnik”), which significantly worsened its aerodynamics and reduced speed, but in terms of accuracy, the Ju 87 had no equal. In the design of "Stuck" several innovative ideas were used (air brakes, siren) due to which the aircraft became so effective. However, after the German Air Force lost air supremacy, the U-87 became an easy target for enemy fighters.
7. IL-2
At the seventh place of the top 10 is another legendary combat vehicle of the Second World War - the Soviet attack aircraft IL-2. The Luftwaffe fighter pilots called this attack aircraft a "concrete plane", and the German infantry called the "black death" or "plague."
Serial production of the IL-2 began on the very eve of World War II, in early 1941. In total, the Soviet industry produced more than 36 thousand units of this machine.
IL-2 had several innovative solutions in its design, the main of which was the inclusion of armor directly into the aircraft power circuit. Prior to this, armor was also used to enhance the protection of the aircraft, but it was simply hung from the top of the hull, which made the structure significantly heavier.
Despite the high security of the aircraft, the losses of these machines in the first months of the war were very significant. There is information that the pilots were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for ten successful combat missions on the IL-2 (according to another version, over thirty).
6. Hawker Siddeley Harrier
In sixth place, the top 10 is a British vertical takeoff and landing Hawker Siddeley Harrier. This car first rose to the sky in 1966 and gave rise to a whole family of combat vehicles, which are still in service with the US Navy and several other countries of the world.
In the 1960s, the idea of creating an aircraft that could take off and land without a run-up (VTOL) was very popular. However, to develop and manufacture such a machine turned out to be very difficult. The British were the most successful; their aircraft could not only do without a runway, but also effectively perform the functions of a combat aircraft. Hawker participated in the war for the Falkland Islands and showed their best side. The main reason for the success of the British was the magnificent engine of Rolls-Royce.
In the USSR, they also built the VTOL, but the Soviet Yak-38 was unsuccessful.
5. MiG-15
This fighter is one of the most famous Soviet aircraft in the West. It was created in the late 40s, had a large number of modifications, was produced under the Soviet license in several countries of the world. The MiG-15 first appeared in the skies of Korea and created a real sensation in the West. Up to this point, Soviet technology was considered something backward and outdated, but this fighter jet became a cold shower for Western strategists.
The Americans were preparing an armada of strategic bombers to carry out nuclear strikes on the territory of the USSR, but familiarity with the MiG-15 made it very clear that the chances of breaking through the barrier of Soviet fighters are minimal.
The main opponent of the MiG-15 in the Korean sky was the American F-86 Saber fighter, but according to most experts, the Soviet car outperformed its opponent.
4. B-17 "Flying Fortress"
In fourth place, the top 10 is another World War II aircraft - the B-17 American strategic bomber. It was developed in 1934 and almost immediately became a legend. It was the first American all-metal strategic bomber.
He bombed cities in Germany and participated in combat operations in the Pacific. Four engines provided the B-17 with a speed of over 500 km / h and a practical ceiling of more than 10 km, and nine (twelve later) 12.7-mm machine guns made this bomber a very difficult opponent for any fighter.
In addition, the B-17 was characterized by fantastic reliability. There are documented cases when the plane returned to the base with one engine running, with huge holes in the fuselage or with little or no tail.
3. Su-27
In the third place of our rating is the fourth-generation Soviet fighter Su-27. It was developed in the early 80s, on its basis a whole family of Su-30s (Su-30, Su-33, Su-35, Su-34 and others) was created (already in modern Russia). Su-27 can be called the top of the Soviet aircraft industry.
Today this aircraft is in service with the Air Forces of Russia, the former Soviet republics, China, India and a number of other countries of the world. Su-27 took part in several local conflicts, but this aircraft has not yet been encountered with serious opponents. Experts consider the Su-27 to be one of the best fighters of the fourth generation, the latest modifications made on the basis of this machine are especially good.
2. F-15 Eagle
In the second place is the main potential enemy of the Su-27 - the American aircraft gaining air superiority F-15 Eagle. This machine also belongs to the fourth generation of fighters, but it took to the air about ten years earlier than the Su-27. This aircraft is still in service with the US Air Force, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Japan. He participated in several armed conflicts, on the account of the "Eagle" more than a hundred confirmed victories in air battles without a single loss - this is a real killer. The F-15 Eagle fought in the skies of Yugoslavia, Syria and Iraq. According to the statements of the military of these countries, the Americans lost more than ten units of the F-15. However, the problem is that no one was able to provide the wreckage of the F-15 Eagle as evidence.
Based on this fighter developed several modifications, the most advanced is considered to be the F-15E Stike Eagle.
1. F-22 Raptor
Our top 10 is headed by the first (and so far the only) fifth-generation serial fighter - the American F-22 Raptor. This aircraft is capable of developing a supersonic speed without including afterburner, it is made using stealth technology, has very advanced on-board electronics and a phased-array radar.
It should be noted that the F-22 Raptor, which is part of the US Air Force, surpasses other fighters not only in its characteristics, but also in price: the cost of one vehicle is more than $ 146 million. Currently, only Americans can afford such expenses. Fifth generation fighters are being developed both in China and in Russia. Projects are still at the testing stage.
