Military Airplanes

There are a lot of confusing terms and classifications in military aircraft. Here is my quickie guide to some of them with clarification on confusing points. I am no expert however...just a geek.



First of all, armed combat aircraft are generally split into two groups; those which are capable in air to air combat, and those which are optimized for the air to ground role. This does not take into account support aircraft like reconnaisance, cargo, tankers etc.



Light Fighter - Generally short range, small, defensive air superiority aircraft primarily intended to defend friendly skies. They tend to be optimized for agility and short range combat. Examples include F-16, F/A-18 Hornet and Mig-29, Rafale. A more modern example is the F-35. This category often overlaps with the multirole category.



Heavy Fighter -These are larger aircraft intended to be used to establish air superiority over hostile territory and at high altitudes. Thus they tend to have greater range and more engine power. Examples include F-15, F-14, Su-27, F-22, Eurofighter Typhoon. These often overlap with Interceptors, aerial Interdictors and Multirole categories. Strike Fighters are Heavy Fighters adapted for ground Interdiction.



Interceptor - Extremely fast aircraft, often with powerful radars and heavy, long range firepower intended for defensive use to destroy heavy bombers before they can attack allied territory. Examples include the Mig-31, Mig-25 and the F-14. They are not optimized to fight against fighter aircraft.



Interdictor - Aircraft that penetrates deep into enemy territory to destroy aerial or ground targets. Offensive unit.



Attack - Small tactical bomber.



Bomber - Heavy strategic bomber.



Fighter/Attack - Multirole.


Strike Fighter - A heavy fighter, usually used as aerial interdictor, which is adapted for ground interdiction instead. The classic example is the F-15E Strike Eagle. The Su-27 has a similar derivative.



Close Air Support - A mission in which attack aircraft provide fire support in close support of friendly ground units.



Multirole - Both a fighter and an attack aircraft. Flexible.



Omnirole - Marketing hype that means "multirole". Used to describe the French Rafale and possibly the Tornado.



Air Superiority Fighter - A heavy fighter designed primarily to establish and maintain air superiority over enemy territory and high in the sky. Examples include Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15C, F-22, Su-27.



V/STOL - Aircraft which can operate from small aircraft carriers and other small runways by using complex technology that allows thrust to be directed directly downward. Examples include the Harrier, the F-35B and the V-22 Osprey. V/STOL jets tend to be optimized for ground attack, while the Osprey is optimized as a small transport.