The F-15EX is larger and more powerful than the Super Hornet—but its size and strength could become a liability, rather than an advantage, in a close-in dogfight.

The F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle are both late-Cold War, fourth-generation fighters—but they evolved in very different directions. The modern variants, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F-15EX, are the culmination of each respective platform, underscoring differing design philosophies: multirole survivability against raw performance power.

F-15EX Eagle II vs. F/A-18 Super Hornet: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Aircraft	F-15EX Eagle II	F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Year Introduced	2024	2001
Number Built	137	630+
Length	63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)	60 ft 1.25 in (18.31 m)
Wingspan	42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)	44 ft 8.5 in (13.62 m)
Weight (MTOW)	81,000 lb (36,741 kg)	66,000 lb (29,937 kg)
Engines	Two GE F110-GE-129 turbofans	Two GE F414-GE-400 turbofans
Top Speed	Mach 2.5 (~1,650 mph / ~2,655 km/h)	Mach 1.6 (~1,190 mph / ~1,915 km/h)
Combat Radius	~1,100 mi (1,770 km)	~720 mi (1,160 km)
Service Ceiling	~65,000 ft (19,800 m)	~50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Loadout	20mm M16A1 Vulcan autocannon, external hardpoints, ~29,500 lb (13,400 kg) payload capacity	20mm M16A2 Vulcan autocannon, external hardpoints, ~17,750 lb (8,050 kg) payload capacity
Aircrew	1–2, depending on variant	1–2, depending on variant

The F-15 and F/A-18 Were Built with Different Purposes

The F-15 was designed first and foremost as an air superiority fighter. Speed, altitude, range, and payload were prioritized, without much attention paid to air-to-ground capabilities. The F/A-18, meanwhile, was intended to be a true multirole platform. Of course, adapting the plane to be suitable for carrier operations forced compromises in speed and range, but the platform was built with excellent survivability, reliability, and flexibility. 

The F-15EX Eagle II, the latest F-15 variant, is a large twin-engine airframe with exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio. Offering high speed, altitude, and acceleration, the EX has long range and a massive payload capacity. The jet is optimized for long-endurance, high-energy fights. 

The Super Hornet, meanwhile, is a medium-weight twin-engine design with a lower top speed but robust low-speed handling. Designed for carrier launch and recovery, the Super Hornet features strong structural durability and redundancy. 

Both the F-15EX and F/A-18 feature modern AESA radars. The F-15EX has a large nose, which supports powerful radar aperture, allowing for excellent long-range detection and tracking. The Super Hornet also has strong sensor fusion and integrates well with carrier battle networks. Both aircraft rely heavily on off board cueing in modern combat. 

The F-15EX maintains an edge in weapons and payload; the newest F-15 can carry an extraordinary number of air-to-air missiles, serving as an ideal missile truck for BVR combat. The Super Hornet has a lower payload but flexible loadouts. Integrated with precision strike and maritime weapons, the Super Hornet serves as a Swiss Army knife equivalent. But in air-to-air combat, the F-15 has a superior payload.

So Which Plane Would Win in a Fight?

In BVR combat, the F-15EX has certain advantages over the Super Hornet—higher altitude launch points, greater missile kinematic performance, and larger radar and sensor reach. The Super Hornet enjoys strong electronic warfare support and network cueing from E-2D and other assets. Still, in a clean, high-altitude BVR fight, the EX is clearly the dominant platform. 

The WVR combat dynamic is more interesting. The F-15EX has powerful thrust, but a larger turning radius. The Super Hornet has excellent high-alpha handling and close-in maneuvering. This means that, in principle, the smaller and more nimbler Super Hornet ought to be able to outturn the F-15EX and score a kill from behind. As with any dogfight, the outcome likely depends heavily on pilot skill, loadout, and energy state. Still, WVR combat is far less likely to take place in modern warfare, giving the F-15 a favorable real-world air-to-air advantage over the Super Hornet.

Could one envision a scenario in which the F-15 and F/A-18 might actually go head-to-head? Yes and no. It is unlikely that the two aircraft would ever find themselves in a life-or-death fight, given that they are only used by the United States and its close allies. But the two planes are regularly tested against each other, both in “red flag” and joint/coalition exercises and large-force employment scenarios. Still, a far more likely outcome than finding themselves in combat is for them to operate in coordination with one another, with the F-15 serving as a missile truck and the Super Hornet serving as a forward sensor/shooter.

Ultimately, the two aircraft complement each other well. The F-15EX provides homeland defense, long-range air superiority, and missile-heavy BVR engagements. The Super Hornet provides carrier-based air defense, strike missions, and maritime operations. The two jets were designed to do different things—and they have been doing those things with remarkable success for more than a generation.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.

Image: Shutterstock / VanderWolf Images.

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