Title: aircraft design - Why do some fighter jets have two pilots while others have only one? - Aviation Stack Exchange
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Why do some fighter jets have two pilots while others have only one?
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edited Apr 22 '18 at 18:43
fooot ♦
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asked Jun 1 '15 at 9:16
anshabhi
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Speaking of fighters in their basic role, there are 2. Interception and escort. A single seat fighter would be superior in both scenarios because the space occupied by the second seater, plus the life support systems double the weight which can be put to fuel, countermeasures or weapons, and the extra weight and space will affect handling in air to air combat. When the role is ground attack, 2 seat versions can be an advantage, such as SAM suppression mission, bombing and other types of strikes. All of the above applies to modern aircraft. Previously, say the 1970s and before, 2 seat fighters were sometimes necessary due to the technology available at that time. The F-4 and F-14 for example, the 2nd seater operated the radar because the pilot really couldn't keep his head in the cockpit when engaging multiple enemy contacts or when the fight was close in. Head up displays weren't available so the aircraft systems available to the pilot by necessity was kept limited in order to limit pilot overload. Share
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answered Jun 1 '15 at 9:32
Victor Juliet
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All fighter aircraft have one pilot, though some have two crew members. The backseat crew member is not a pilot, but often either a Radar Intercept Officer (US Navy), Navigator / Weapon Systems Officer (USAF, IDF), or Flight instructor.