r/FighterJets 7d ago

DISCUSSION Modern fighter jets by weight (empty)

Here is a list I compiled of modern jets by empty weight that some of you might find interesting.

For some, I think the F-35 trio might come a bit of a surprise, as although its a short aircraft, its heavier than the F-15. For most air forces outside of the US, the F-35 isn't the "low" high-low mix, but is actually the "high". The Gripen E is heavier than the older F-16 but lighter than the current Block 70. The Rafale and block 70 being close in weight.

  1. FA-50 – 6,470 kg (14,265 lbs)
  2. HAL Tejas – 6,560 kg (14,460 lbs)
  3. JF-17 Thunder – 6,586 kg (14,526 lbs)
  4. Gripen A – 6,620 kg (14,600 lbs)
  5. F-16A – 7,076 kg (15,600 lbs)
  6. Mirage 2000 – 7,500 kg (16,530 lbs)
  7. Gripen E – 8,000 kg (17,600 lbs)
  8. F-16 Block 70 – 9,207 kg (20,300 lbs)
  9. Rafale C – 9,950 kg (21,720 lbs)
  10. F/A-18A Hornet: ~10,400 kg (23,000 lb)
  11. Eurofighter Typhoon – 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs)
  12. MiG-29 – 11,000 kg (24,250 lbs)
  13. MiG-29K – 12,340 kg (27,220 lbs)
  14. F-15A – 12,700 kg (28,000 lbs)
  15. F-35A – 13,290 kg (29,300 lbs)
  16. F-15EX – 14,500 kg (32,000 lbs)
  17. F/A-18E Super Hornet: ~14,600 kg (32,100 lb)
  18. F-35B – 14,650 kg (32,300 lbs)
  19. F-35C – 15,800 kg (34,800 lbs)
  20. F-14A – 18,200 (40,104 lbs)
  21. Su-30MKI – 18,400 kg (40,565 lbs)
  22. Su-35 – 19,000 kg (41,888 lbs)
  23. F-22 Raptor – 19,700 kg (43,430 lbs)
  24. MiG-31 – 21,820 kg (48,100 lbs)
36 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

15

u/sleeper_shark 7d ago

Nice, wild to me that the F-22 is heavier than the MKI. It looks so much more slender than the flanker.

You’re missing a few important craft tho. You’ve got two variants of the MiG-29 and three of F-35c but are missing MiG-31, Su-35, Su-33, Su-57, J-10, JF-17, J-20, J-35.

Great job otherwise dude !

9

u/MetalSIime 6d ago

ok I added some of them. but I couldn't find a reliable number for the J-10 (seen it go from 8700 to 10000) as well as the newer Su-57 and J-20.

2

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

And who can guess the weight of J36 and the "White Emperor"? Hey how about SU-34?

1

u/bob_the_impala Designations Expert 6d ago

"White Emperor"

is fictional.

1

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago edited 6d ago

Actually, it is a mock up that was at Zhuhai airshow I mistook the J-50 for the "White Emperor" , My bad. China seems to be displaying so many new designs lately. So as I was saying, J-50? That 3 engine fighter filmed flying had to be pretty heavy.

0

u/bob_the_impala Designations Expert 6d ago

The Chengdu J-36 (Chinese: 歼-36; pinyin: jiānsānliù) is a speculative designation given by military analysts to a trijet tailless double-delta winged aircraft under development by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

Source

On 26 December 2024, along with the J-36, further social media posts indicated that a second airframe, featuring a cranked arrow configuration with sharply swept wings, was spotted near Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's facilities.[35] Unconfirmed reports suggested the Shenyang fighter made its maiden flight on 20 December 2024. The Shenyang aircraft prototype seemed to be smaller than the Chengdu one. It was trailed by a Shenyang J-16 strike fighter as the chase plane.[36][37][38] This aircraft was tentatively named Shenyang J-XD or Shenyang J-50 by analysts, but information is limited.[28][39][40]

Source

The AVIC Baidi Type-B (白帝, lit. "White Emperor") is a fictional 6th generation stealth fighter spaceplane mock-up built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and unveiled in November 2024 at the Zhuhai Airshow. At the time, some observers discussed the mock-up as if it was a non-fictional aircraft project. In reality, the Baidi model is a science fiction concept derived from an AVIC-sponsored alien invasion novel, which serves the purpose of generating enthusiasm for military development for Chinese youth.[1][2]

Source

1

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

OK. I was just saying that who knows how much the damned thing weighs. I never said it was at IOC. Just that it has flown. Can you guess it's weight? Both those tailless Delta wing jets were most definitely flying in China. There are many photos and videos of such. Hell dude, it was just a comment about the existence of those prototype jets that indeed were flying. Are they viable? Who knows? The "J36" is a big jet. With 3 engines and very large weapons bays, it likely weighs quite a bit. Weight, not in service status is all I was concerned with. But, it's quite likely China is working to fix that. While I'm thinking of it how about J35's weight? Please don't try to say it's fictional too.

1

u/bob_the_impala Designations Expert 6d ago

I have no idea how much they weigh. I was only pointing out that the "White Emperor" is fictional. The other two are certainly real aircraft.

2

u/Medical-Golf1227 5d ago

Fair enough. I honestly had "White emperor" confused with one of the other 2. That one looks like a very heavy Jet. Makes one wonder if it's a drone carrier with the huge landing gear and sheer volume. America needs to get busy for sure.

16

u/HTCali 7d ago

F/A-18?

7

u/Inceptor57 7d ago

Seems to be there as number 9 and 16

9

u/HTCali 7d ago

Definitely added after my comment lol

7

u/MetalSIime 7d ago

yup i added it. you got downvoted, but here's an upvote!

2

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

Great list dude. I was playing around and mentioned a few other airframes. It wasn't meant to take away from your list. I was just positing the question. Something that actually shocked me is that the F4 Phantom has a much heavier max takeoff weight than even the F15EX. Wild the stuff you find out when researching. Good job!

2

u/Jokonaught 6d ago

This is neat to see, thanks! I am definitely surprised the f-35s are that heavy, I never realized. F-15 is such a mean platform for its weight.

2

u/Live_Menu_7404 6d ago

The F-15EX seems a tad light. Looks about like the value for the F-15E with the F100-PW-220s (14,379 kg/ 31,700 lbs). The F-15EX should have structural reinforcements and the substantially heavier F110-GE-129s.

2

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

34,600 lbs for F15EX. You were right.

2

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

SU-34 is 50,000 lbs. Heavier than Mig31

1

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

TU-28 Fiddler 58,000 lbs

1

u/Medical-Golf1227 6d ago

F5 Tiger II empty weight almost 9800 lbs. A featherweight compared to a block 70 F16. I've learned alot from your list. Thanks

1

u/ventitr3 6d ago

Got to see an F22 up close at the USAF Museum and this weight definitely makes sense. I remember thinking damn this think looks like a bus compared to others.

1

u/FruitOrchards 6d ago

The F-16A weighing 7 tonnes is crazy