Air War: America’s Strike Eagle vs. Super Hornet

By Edward Chang,The National Interest

Tom Cruise stirred excitement last week when he teased [3] that production of the sequel to the iconic 1986 film Top Gun had commenced. In doing so, he not only unintentionally kicked off a friendly interservice feud [4], but may have also spurred a debate regarding which of America’s two fighter aircraft mainstays is superior.

In response to the promotional picture, which featured “Maverick” looking at an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the phrase “Feel the Need” superimposed on it, the Air Force responded via Twitter, “If Maverick really had a need for speed, he’d hop into one of our F-15E Strike Eagles! #DYK: They have a top speed for 1,875 miles per hour.” The amusing exchange went back and forth for several tweets, with even the Air Force Space Command leaping into the fray, highlighting the six thousand miles-per-hour velocity of its space-launch vehicles.

It does beg the question, though—notwithstanding “Maverick” is a Naval Aviator and could not fly the F-15E even if he wanted to, which fighter should he fly; the Strike Eagle or the Super Hornet?

Recommended:Air War: Stealth F-22 Raptor vs. F-14 Tomcat (That Iran Still Flies)[5]

Recommended:A New Report Reveals Why There Won’t Be Any ‘New’ F-22 Raptors[6]

Recommended:How an ‘Old’ F-15 Might Kill Russia’s New Stealth Fighter[7]

It is worth noting both the F-15E and F/A-18E/F are produced by Boeing. Going further back in time, both fighters are products of McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997. The two fighters may be different, but neither the Air Force nor Navy can claim that their Sunday punchers are the product of a superior manufacturer.