Compare · Aircraft
Gripen E vs F-16 Fighting Falcon
RANKED BY PUBLISHED MAXIMUM SPEED (MACH) OF A CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL MANNED AIRCRAFT
#2 VS #3
CHECKED 06 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict
Gripen E ranks #2 of 7 on Published maximum speed (Mach) of a currently operational manned aircraft (Mach 2); F-16 Fighting Falcon ranks #3 (Mach 2).
Rank 02 of 7 · leads
Published maximum speed (Mach) of a currently operational manned aircraft
Mach 2
MakerSaab
Date2019
Verified04 Sept 2026
Evidence
Saab Gripen E/F official technical specifications table: Gripen E "Maximum speed Mach 2". Same Mach 2 cell for the two-seat Gripen F. In production for Sweden and Brazil.Rank 03 of 7
Published maximum speed (Mach) of a currently operational manned aircraft
Mach 2
MakerLockheed Martin
Date1978
Verified04 Sept 2026
Evidence
USAF / Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon fact sheet: "Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)". Still the published USAF figure for the operational C/D fleet.Try another pair
Source Boeing F-15EX product page; Saab Gripen E/F specs; USAF F-16 and F-35A fact sheets; Rosoboronexport Su-57E page; Dassault Rafale specs;…
Last checked 06 Sept 2026