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English Electric Lightning
Photo: Danie van der Merwe from Cape Town, South Africa · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
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EnglishElectricLightning

Air Superiority Fighters · United Kingdom · 1959
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EnglishElectricLightning

English Electric Lightning
English Electric Lightning Photo: Danie van der Merwe from Cape Town, South Africa · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
60
Agility
85
Speed
80
Radar & Avionics
40
Range
30
Stealth
0
Survivability
65
Reliability
70
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
55
Origin United Kingdom
ManufacturerBritish Aircraft Corporation
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1985
Operators5 countries
Quantity337
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
56
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
18/89
Early Cold War
107/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
60
Agility
85
Speed
80
Radar & Avionics
40
Range
30
Stealth
0
Survivability
65
Reliability
70
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
55
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
English Electric Lightning
Production
1959–1985
Quantity
337
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
18
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
50
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
56
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1954
  • Service Entry Year1960
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleInterceptor
  • GenerationFirst generation supersonic jet
  • In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeTurbojet
  • Engine ModelRolls‑Royce Avon
  • Number of Engines2
  • Thrust (dry, each)44
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)84
  • Thrust-to-Weight1.2
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel2,100 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed2,400 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
  • Cruise Speed1,500 km/h
  • Stall Speed250 km/h
  • Service Ceiling18,288 m
  • Ferry Range1,366.776 km
  • Combat Radius800 km
  • Rate of Climb101.6 m/s
  • G-Limit9
  • Takeoff Run800 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length15 m
  • Wingspan9.1 m
  • Height4.9 m
  • Wing Area30
  • Empty Weight14,092.445 kg
  • Loaded Weight18,632.074 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight20,752.2 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built337
  • Operators3
  • Variants13
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year1988
  • Production Start1959
  • Production End1985
  • Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1959Production started
  2. 1985Production ended
67
years in service
26
years in production
337
units produced
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory4country · 22units
22active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →