Fighter Aircraft
Fighter Aircraft
Military aircraft such as the F-16 and Joint Strike Fighter, which are designed to perform air-to-air combat operations, are the primary means by which armed forces gain air superiority over their opponents in battle. RAND has studied fighter aircraft for many decades to provide civilian and military decisionmakers with critical recommendations on logistics, acquisition support, fleet modernization, and maintenance, to maximize effectiveness and innovation.
Related Topics
Explore RAND’s Work on this Topic
Error
-
Research
Mar 25, 2026
Achieving Combat Sortie Generation Proficiency in the Air Force: An Examination of Goals, Gaps, Barriers, and Solutions
The authors present their analysis of combat sortie generation proficiency as a step toward defining a comprehensive training program for the U.S. Air Force. The analysis covers threat demands, goals, existing gaps, and training needs.
-
Research Summary
Jan 29, 2026
Improving Interoperability with Allies and Partners: Aircraft Maintenance and Base Operating Support
The U.S. Air Force must generate and sustain airpower from dispersed, partner-owned locations. This brief discusses interoperability not as an end state but as a spectrum of cooperation that is tailored to requirements, standards, and capabilities.
-
Research
Sep 10, 2025
Improving Partner Interoperability for U.S. Air Forces in Europe: Aircraft Maintenance and Cross-Servicing
U.S. Air Forces in Europe is pursuing greater interoperability with its European partners. The authors review policy and interview experts, finding both progress and persistent obstacles on F-35 and F-16 efforts.
-
Commentary
Dec 17, 2024
UK Fleet Air Arm Centenary: Looking Ahead to the Next 100 Years
The UK's Fleet Air Arm faces challenges in carrier strike capabilities due to evolving defense needs. Its future will depend on its ability to innovate and showcase its expertise in surveillance, electronic warfare, and logistics within naval aviation.
-
Commentary
May 13, 2024
Crowning Achievement? Kaan and Turkey's Defense-Industrial Achievements
In February, Turkey successfully completed the maiden test flight of its prototype Kaan fighter, the culmination of long-term investment in the country's defense technology and industrial base. But Turkey clearly has more development and testing work to do if Kaan is to reach its potential.
-
Commentary
Mar 29, 2024
The Russian Air Force Is Hollowing Itself Out. Air Defenses for Ukraine Would Speed That Up
The Russian Aerospace Forces has fewer than 650 tactical aircraft when accounting for end-of-life aircraft; it has even less when accounting for accelerated usage. But these numbers are unlikely to change Russia's behavior, based on its exhibited willingness to accept high losses, even for trivial gains.
-
Commentary
Feb 2, 2024
Lessons for Industrial Resilience: The UK's Typhoon Export Conundrum
If Turkey steps back from its pursuit of the Typhoon, it would join India, South Korea, Finland, the UAE, and Switzerland on the list of countries to decline acquisition of the four-nation collaborative platform jointly exported by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The United Kingdom and Germany have the most to gain, or lose, from the Typhoon's success.
-
Commentary
Oct 3, 2023
F-16s Are No Magic Bullet for Ukraine, but They Are a Game Changer with the Right Munitions
Will F-16s win the war for Ukraine? No. Only ground victories and unacceptable Russian losses will force Putin to negotiate. However, a long-term commitment to supporting a well-equipped, sizable F-16 force will improve the likelihood of Ukrainian success even if an F-16 never shoots a Russian fighter.
-
Commentary
Sep 19, 2023
Why Improve Ukraine's Deep-Strike Capability?
Coordinated deep-strike capabilities—air-launched and ground-launched—will be most effective in degrading Russian forces and operations. Using air and ground launchers would force Russian commanders to devote substantial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to attempt to find these systems.
-
Commentary
Jun 6, 2023
What Is the Long-Term Strategy for Ukraine's Air Force?
It is encouraging that Ukraine might receive F-16s to improve its combat capabilities. Western policymakers might begin thinking now about what the Ukrainian Air Force may require in the future, especially if the Russian threat remains acute.
-
Commentary
May 31, 2023
What F-16s Will (and Won't) Do for Ukraine
After months of publicly lobbying to acquire U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, it appears that Ukraine may receive them later this year. However, there remains a long road ahead before the F-16s would see service in Ukraine—and it is an open question how much they would affect the outcome of the war.
-
Commentary
May 25, 2023
F-16s Will Bolster Ukraine's Fighting Force
F-16s going to Ukraine could help it defend against Russian aerial assaults. But their greatest value may be to augment future Ukrainian counteroffensives aimed at retaking occupied land. This will require training and exercising, but Ukrainian forces are fully capable of mastering it.