There isn't one single "highest G" fighter jet, as limits vary, but modern fighters like the F-16, F-22, and F-35 are designed for +9 G (nine times Earth's gravity) in normal flight, with some, like the F-15EX, reaching 12 G in emergencies, while experimental or specialized craft and even drones could theoretically exceed these for short bursts, though 9 G is the standard high-G limit for piloted fighters.
On the other hand, an expert pilot in command of an Extra 300 stunt plane can pull 10 Gs, even though the plane has a top speed of just over 200 miles per hour. This is due to the plane's extreme maneuverability and construction that can withstand G-forces significantly higher than even 10 Gs.
G-Force: The F-35 can withstand forces of up to 9G (9 times the force of gravity), allowing it to perform high-G turns and maneuvers. 6.
The airplane's aerodynamics, relaxed stability, and powerful thrust-vectoring engines give it excellent maneuverability and energy potential across its flight envelope, capable of 9-g maneuvers at takeoff gross weight with full internal fuel.
Changes in speed are expressed in multiples of gravitational acceleration, or 'G'. Most of us can withstand up to 4-6G. Fighter pilots can manage up to about 9G for a second or two. But sustained G-forces of even 6G would be fatal.
The F-22 Raptor's capabilities in speed and climb rate are almost unrivalled. With a top speed around Mach 2.25 and a superior climb rate, it outpaces the F-35, which maxes out around Mach 1.6. This makes the Raptor better suited for intercept missions and traditional dogfights.
Australia has received its full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, with the final aircraft delivered in late 2024, forming the backbone of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) air combat capability alongside Super Hornets and Growlers. While the current fleet is 72, there are discussions and potential plans to acquire more, possibly increasing the total to 100 aircraft in the future.
For example, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has a top speed of Mach 2.0, allowing it to fly across the continental United States in an hour and 37 minutes, while the F-35 can only do it in around 2 hours and 4 minutes, with its lower top speed of Mach 1.6.
Indycar driver Kenny Bräck (SWE) survived a split-second deceleration of 214 g during a 220‑mph (354‑km/h) crash on lap 188 of the Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, USA, on 12 October 2003.
The final production version, the F-104S, was an all-weather interceptor built by Aeritalia for the Italian Air Force. It was retired from military service in 2004. As of 2025, several F-104s remain in civilian operation with Florida-based Starfighters Inc.
Between 9,000 and 12,000 metres (30,000 and 40,000 feet), the cruising altitude of most jet aircraft, air temperatures range from −40 to −70 °F (−40 to −57 °C). Modern aircraft have sealed cabins and heaters to protect pilots and passengers from wind blasts and cold air.
Fighter pilots can handle greater head-to-toe G forces—up to 8 or 9 G's—and for longer periods by wearing anti-G suits. These specialized outfits use air bladders to constrict the legs and abdomen during high G's to keep blood in the upper body.
The SR-72 "Darkstar" from Top Gun: Maverick is a fictionalized version of Lockheed Martin's real, but highly classified, hypersonic aircraft program, intended as a successor to the SR-71 Blackbird for intelligence, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions, potentially flying by the 2030s, with prototypes exploring Mach 6+ speeds using advanced Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) engines, though official confirmation of flight-ready models remains secret.
Load factor and accelerated stalls: A constant-altitude turn with 45 degrees of bank imposes 1.4 Gs, and a turn with 60 degrees of bank imposes 2 Gs.
There's no single "most dangerous" fighter jet, but the F-22 Raptor is often cited for air superiority due to its unmatched stealth, speed (Mach 2.25), supercruise, and maneuverability, making it dominant in air-to-air combat. Other contenders include the multirole F-35 Lightning II, known for connectivity and versatility; the agile Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's stealth fighter; and the powerful F-15EX Eagle II, the most heavily armed.
In 2006, the F-35 was given the name "Lightning II" after the Lockheed P-38 Lightning of World War II. Some USAF pilots have nicknamed the aircraft "Panther" instead, and other nicknames include "Fat Amy" and "Battle Penguin". The aircraft's software was developed as six releases, or Blocks, for SDD.
F-35A Lightning II.
Neither the Gripen nor the F-35 is definitively "better"; they excel in different areas, making the choice dependent on a nation's specific needs, but recent Canadian evaluations heavily favored the F-35 for overall capability, while the Gripen is often praised for lower cost, easier operation from dispersed bases, and superior electronic warfare (EW). The F-35 is a 5th-gen stealth fighter superior in sensor fusion and high-end warfare, while the Gripen E offers agility, lower operational costs, and robust EW/data-sharing, ideal for vast territories with dispersed operations.
Yes, Australia has a strong, technologically advanced, and well-trained military (the Australian Defence Force - ADF), ranking as a top global power (around 18th by Global Firepower in 2025) with significant regional influence, particularly in Oceania, despite its relatively small size compared to Asian giants like China. While not a superpower, it's a capable force with advanced air, land, and sea assets, strong defense networks, and significant modernization efforts in its navy and air force.
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Can the Eurofighter Typhoon beat the F-22 Raptor in a dogfight? The answer is an unequivocal yes. It's a very capable jet and, under the right set of rare and unusual circumstances, just about anything could beat the F-22.
Short Description: The F-22 isn't being retired for lack of power — it's being retired because it's too rare to sustain. Only 187 Raptors were ever built. That small fleet is now the reason some F-22s are heading to retirement.