Strike fighter

A combat aircraft designed to attack ground or maritime targets and engage opposing aircraft. It combines strike capability with air-to-air combat capability in one platform.

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Multirole combat aircraft: A military aircraft designed to perform multiple kinds of combat mission. Strike fighters are a combat-aircraft type built to combine strike and air-combat roles.
Air superiority fighter: A fighter optimized to gain and maintain control of the air against opposing aircraft. It prioritizes air combat, whereas a strike fighter must also retain an effective ground-attack capability.
F-4 Phantom II: A U.S.-designed supersonic jet used by several nations for interception, air combat, and ground attack. Its service in both fighter and strike roles made the Phantom a prominent early example of the type.
Suppression of enemy air defenses: Operations intended to neutralize or destroy enemy air-defense systems. Strike fighters may suppress defenses to reach targets or protect other aircraft during an attack.
Multirole combat aircraft doctrine: An approach to air-force planning that assigns multiple mission types to a common aircraft design. Strike fighters embody the effort to reduce dependence on separate fleets for air combat and attack.
Air interdiction: Military action that disrupts an enemy’s movement of forces and supplies before they reach the battlefield. Strike fighters use attacks on lines of communication and staging areas to shape ground campaigns.
Attack aircraft: A military aircraft primarily designed to attack ground or maritime targets. Attack aircraft specialize in strike missions rather than combining them with substantial air-to-air capability.
F-15E Strike Eagle: A two-seat U.S. fighter aircraft developed for deep strike while retaining air-to-air combat capability. The Strike Eagle is a purpose-built example of combining long-range attack with fighter performance.
Maritime strike: Military action using weapons to attack ships or other maritime targets. Strike fighters can carry anti-ship weapons alongside their air-to-air armament.
Aircraft carrier: A warship equipped with a flight deck for operating military aircraft at sea. Carrier forces rely on strike fighters to project air power beyond land-based aircraft range.