This Fighter Jet Could Fly From New York City to Ireland Without Stopping

24/7 Wall St. Insights

The Sukhoi Su-57 (Felon) has the longest operational range at 3,107 miles, which covers the distance between New York and Shannon, Ireland.
The Mitsubishi F-2, while beneficial for its weapons storage, only has an operational range of 519 miles, making it better suited for localized defense.
Long-range aircraft are beneficial for surveillance and air-to-air combat, and longer operational ranges mean these aircraft can escape from potentially dangerous situations without having to refuel.
Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

In July 2024, Russia reported that it had scrambled MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighter jets after two U.S. bomber aircraft flew close to the Russian border. Although the U.S. is no stranger to flying over and around international waters and borders, Russia has become increasingly frustrated with what it views as a U.S. display of power. Russia has even gone so far to claim that the U.S. is using these flights as reconnaissance operations to pass strategic military information to Ukraine during the multi-year Russia-Ukraine war. (If Ukraine keeps pushing into Russia, these countries would help Putin.)

Fighter jets have been used to enhance military power for decades. These aircraft are primarily used for air-to-air combat, allowing countries to show off their air superiority. But fighter jets are also used in other scenarios, such as surveillance and reconnaissance or providing support to troops on the ground. Many militaries want long-range fighter jets. The longer the range, the farther the country can project power and respond to threats. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at fighter jets that have the longest operational ranges.

To identify the fighter jets with the longest operational ranges, 24/7 Wall St. referenced Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. Aircraft were ranked by their maximum operational range without aerial refueling. Supplemental data regarding manufacturer, speed, and more also came from Military Factory.

On the Russian side, the Su-35 is notable for its range as well. It is an advanced derivative of the Su-27 that can travel well over 2,000 miles without refueling. At the same time, it is fairly versatile in its armament, making it a formidable foe for Ukraine’s air defenses. (Here are the most widely used fighter jets on Earth.)

Here is a look at the fighter jets that have the longest operational range:

Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the fighter jets that have the longest operational range provides insight into global military capabilities and defense strategies. These jets are designed to project power and show the military influence that different countries have. Also knowing these aircraft helps in threat assessment and the development of effective countermeasures.

42. Mitsubishi F-2

Maximum operational range: 519 miles
Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2000
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi / Lockheed Martin
Top speed: 1,553 mph

41. IAI Kfir (Lion Cub)

IAI Kfir C-7 u00c3u0097u00c2u009bu00c3u0097u00c2u00a4u00c3u0097u00c2u0099u00c3u0097u00c2u00a8 by brewbooks

IAI Kfir C-7 u00c3u0097u00c2u009bu00c3u0097u00c2u00a4u00c3u0097u00c2u0099u00c3u0097u00c2u00a8 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by brewbooks

Maximum operational range: 548 miles
Type: Multi-role combat aircraft
Year introduced: 1976
Manufacturer: Israel Aircraft Industries
Top speed: 1,516 mph

40. Mirage F1

Maximum operational range: 559 miles
Type: Interceptor aircraft
Year introduced: 1973
Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
Top speed: 1,453 mph

39. F/A-18 Super Hornet

Maximum operational range: 680 miles
Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1999
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
Top speed: 1,187 mph

38. F-CK-1 (Ching-Kuo)

IDF-Wan Chien (CC BY 3.0) by O8447

Maximum operational range: 684 miles
Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1994
Manufacturer: Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation
Top speed: 1,379 mph

37. MiG-21 (Fishbed)

Maximum operational range: 721 miles
Type: Single-seat supersonic fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1959
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Top speed: 1,386 mph

36. Panavia Tornado ECR

Panavia Tornado ECR u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u009846+57u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080... by Alan Wilson

Panavia Tornado ECR u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u009846+57u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

Maximum operational range: 870 miles
Type: Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Aircraft
Year introduced: 1990
Manufacturer: Panavia Aircraft GmbH / British Aviation Systems / MBB
Top speed: 1,491 mph

35. Panavia Tornado IDS

Panavia+Tornado+ECR | Panavia Tornado ECR '46+57'

Maximum operational range: 870 miles
Type: Low-level strike aircraft
Year introduced: 1979
Manufacturer: Panavia Aircraft GmbH / British Aviation Systems
Top speed: 1,491 mph

34. Sukhoi Su-17 / Su-20 / Su-22 (Fitter)

NATO Airfield | Two Polish Air Force Su-22 fighter-bombers at a NATO exercise.

Maximum operational range: 889 miles
Type: Strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1970
Manufacturer: Sukhoi
Top speed: 718 mph

33. MiG-29 (Fulcrum)

Bangladesh+MiG | 36502: Bangladesh Air Force Mig-29B Fulcrum.

Maximum operational range: 889 miles
Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1984
Manufacturer: Mikoyan OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
Top speed: 1,519 mph

32. Mirage III

Maximum operational range: 1,000 miles
Type: Interceptor aircraft / Strike fighter
Year introduced: 1961
Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
Top speed: 1,312 mph

31. Chengdu J-10 (Vicious Dragon)

Maximum operational range: 1,118 miles
Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
Year introduced: 2005
Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Top speed: 1,452 mph

30. Mirage 2000 (M2000)

M2000 (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RomainSeaf

Maximum operational range: 1,150 miles
Type: Strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1979
Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
Top speed: 1,453 mph

29. MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F)

Maximum operational range: 1,243 miles
Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2020
Manufacturer: Russian Aircraft Corporation MIG
Top speed: 1,491 mph

28. F/A-18 Hornet

F-18 Hornet (CC BY 2.0) by VALDITHRASH

Maximum operational range: 1,243 miles
Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1983
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / Northrop
Top speed: 1,190 mph

27. AV-8B Harrier II

Maximum operational range: 1,367 miles
Type: Short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) strike aircraft
Year introduced: 1985
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / BAe Systems
Top speed: 665 mph

26. Shenyang J-8 / J-8 II (Finback)

Maximum operational range: 1,367 miles
Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
Year introduced: 1980
Manufacturer: Aviation Industry Corporation of China
Top speed: 1,453 mph

25. F-35 Lightning II

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II by Robert Sullivan

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (Public domain) by Robert Sullivan

Maximum operational range: 1,379 miles
Type: Advanced multi-role strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2016
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman / BAe Systems
Top speed: 1,199 mph

24. Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark)

Maximum operational range: 1,709 miles
Type: Carrier-based multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2013
Manufacturer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Top speed: 1,305 mph

23. MiG-23 (Flogger)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flogge... by Clemens Vasters

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flogge... (CC BY 2.0) by Clemens Vasters

Maximum operational range: 1,752 miles
Type: Swing-wing fighter-interceptor aircraft
Year introduced: 1970
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Top speed: 1,553 mph

22. Eurofighter Typhoon (EF2000)

EGVA - Eurofighter Typhoon EF2... by Steve Lynes

EGVA - Eurofighter Typhoon EF2... (CC BY 2.0) by Steve Lynes

Maximum operational range: 1,802 miles
Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
Year introduced: 2003
Manufacturer: BAe Systems / Eurofighter GmbH
Top speed: 1,550 mph

21. Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Maximum operational range: 1,864 miles
Type: Swing-wing, carrier-based fleet defense fighter
Year introduced: 1974
Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft
Top speed: 1,544 mph

20. Mig-31 (Foxhound)

Mikoyan MiG-31 (CC BY 2.0) by Sergey Vladimirov

Maximum operational range: 1,864 miles
Type: Supersonic interceptor aircraft
Year introduced: 1979
Manufacturer: Mikoyan OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
Top speed: 1,864 mph

19. Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C)

Maximum operational range: 1,864 miles
Type: Twin-engine air superiority strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1996
Manufacturer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Top speed: 1,317 mph

18. F-4 Phantom II

Maximum operational range: 1,979 miles
Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1960
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Top speed: 1,473 mph

17. HAL Tejas LCA

HAL LCA Tejas (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ashwin Kumar

Maximum operational range: 1,988 miles
Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2015
Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Top speed: 1,227 mph

16. JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin)

Slovakia+military+aircraft | JAS-39 Gripen Czechia

Maximum operational range: 1,988 miles
Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1997
Manufacturer: Saab AB
Top speed: 1,370 mph

15. F-22 Raptor

Maximum operational range: 2,000 miles
Type: Air dominance fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2005
Manufacturer: Boeing / Lockheed Martin
Top speed: 1,599 mph

14. Chengdu J-20 (Black Eagle)

J-20... (CC BY-SA 4.0) by N509FZ

Maximum operational range: 2,113 miles
Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2017
Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Top speed: 1,305 mph

13. PAC JF-17 Thunder

Maximum operational range: 2,164 miles
Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2007
Manufacturer: Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Top speed: 1,218 mph

12. Shenyang J-11 (Flanker B+)

J-11... (CC BY 4.0) by Mil.ru

Maximum operational range: 2,193 miles
Type: Multi-role air superiority fighter
Year introduced: 1998
Manufacturer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Top speed: 1,553 mph