Very few fighter aircraft ever dominated the scene like the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle after its initial flight on July 27, 1972. From the beginning, it exhibited outstanding maneuverability, performance and handling qualities making it unmatched by any current fighter in the world-proof positive of its air superiority claim. The F-15 is a single seat, fixed wing aircraft with speeds in excess of Mach 2.

The first F-14 Tomcat made its maiden flight on Dec. 21, 1970. It was the culmination of an extensive Grumman Aerospace Corporation’s design program to meet U.S. Navy specifications for an effective shipboard fighter. The F-14 was introduced to the fleet on Oct. 14, 1972 and went to sea for the first time in operational deployment on Sept. 17, 1974. The F-14 is well known for its starring role in the movie “Top Gun”.

Considered by many to be one of the best fighter planes ever designed, the F-16A Fighting Falcon, was the winner of an Air Force competition in 1975 for a lightweight, low-cost fighter aircraft. During preproduction tests, the F-16A exceeded the specifications set forth by the Air Force for speed, climb, maneuverability and reliability. In a “sale of the century” NATO updated its air arm with the F-16A.