Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Vought F-8 Crusader
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1957–1970
Quantity
1,219
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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 Flight1955
- Service Entry Year1957
- Crew1
- Primary Roleair superiority fighter
- Generationfirst-generation supersonic jet fighter
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypePratt & Whitney J57-P-20A
- Engine ModelPratt & Whitney J57
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)69
- Thrust (afterburner, each)107
- Thrust-to-Weight0.9
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel3,000 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed1,974.061 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)1.7 Mach
- Cruise Speed496.293 km/h
- Stall Speed249.998 km/h
- Service Ceiling17,678.4 m
- Ferry Range2,600 km
- Combat Radius600 km
- Rate of Climb254 m/s
- G-Limit7.5
- Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length16.764 m
- Wingspan10.668 m
- Height4.572 m
- Wing Area34.839
- Empty Weight8,527.68 kg
- Loaded Weight13,154.4 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight12,200 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints2
- Weapons Payload2,500 kg
- Internal Gun4× 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons in lower fuselage, 125 rpg
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APQ-94 (later variants AN/APQ-104)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTYes
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built1,219
- Operators3
- Variants8
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1999
- Production Start1955
- Production End1970
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1957Production started
- 1970Production ended
69
years in service
13
years in production
1,219
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
VOUGHT F-8 CRUSADER · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
69AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS6EARLY COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS1165UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS101PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
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.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources