Facts About the Nicknames of 5 Most Popular American Fighter Jets
Video: The Unofficial Nickname of 5 Common Fighter Aircrafts of US Army
Every time the US Department of Defense purchases a fighter aircraft from military corporations, the name used in the documents is the "birth" name given by the manufacturer. These names are all incredibly powerful and unique, but to the American military, they are too long and sometimes confusing.
Thus, unofficial nicknames for American fighter Jets were born, even more popular than the original name.
Check More: Facts About F-14 Tomcat: Top Gun Movie Legend And Iran’s Best Fighter Jet
1.Nickname of A-10 Thunderbolt II: Warthog
![]() |
A-10 Thunderbolt II with Nickname of Warthog |
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a fighter that is already famous for its ability to support infantry, but not with its original name but nicknamed Warthog or Hog.
This nickname is derived from the sound of the GAU-8 Avenger 30mm automatic cannon. Every time it fires, it emits a sound similar to the growl of a boar when it rushes to the opponent.
Besides, the appearance is somewhat ferocious and the characteristic of flying close to the ground when fighting is similar to the boar's habit of digging the ground with the nose.
This moniker has been around since the A-10 was released, and it is also the inspiration for the canine paint models that people know today.
![]() |
2.Nickname of F-16 Fighting Falcon: Viper
The F-16 multirole fighter jet became popular with popular culture after the success of the classic Iron Eagle movie.
Although it cannot be compared with the popularity of the F-14 in the blockbuster Top Gun, the name Fighting Falcon has proven its ability as one of the best fighters in the world ever. is produced.
![]() |
F-16 Fighting Falcon with Nickname of Viper |
However, for American pilots, the F-16 is often referred to as the Viper.
The name comes from the slim and sharp design of the F-16, along with its resemblance to the Colonial Viper Mk 2 spaceship in the Battlestar Galactica game.
In particular, the Japanese-made version of the F-16, the Mitsubishi F-2, is nicknamed Viper Zero.
3.Nickname of F-35 Lightning II: Panther
Lockheed Martin's stealth fighters have a very "cool" birth name, but they almost only appear in US military documents.
At the time of its launch, the armed forces of the United States called the F-35 JSF, referring to the fighter's production program.
![]() |
F-35 Lightning II with Nickname of Panther |
However, the US Air Force has nicknamed the F-35 the Panther, a name inspired by a fighter jet during World War II. The name then spread to the navy and marines. US Navy pilots especially like this nickname, because it brings back memories of the F9F Panther fighter, which was used by the force during the Korean War.
The name Panther is now so well known that cadets at military schools refer to F-35 pilots as "Panther Tamer".
![]() |
4.Nickname of C-17 Globemaster III: Moose
The C-17 is the US Air Force's most famous transport aircraft, used to carry everything from soldiers and ammunition to M1 Abrams tanks around the world. With a maximum payload of up to 77 tons, the C-17 is also used in emergency humanitarian operations.
![]() |
C-17 Globemaster III with Moose |
Used as a "pack horse", but the C-17's nickname is Moose, and it was given a somewhat odd reason. Each time the C-17 refueled, the C-17 pushed excess pressure through the air vents, a process that produced a sound similar to the call of a moose calling for a mate.
5.Nickname of F/A-18 Super Hornet: Rhino
![]() |
F/A-18 Super Hornet commonly known as Rhino |
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is an upgraded version of the F-18 Hornet series. The F/A-18 Super Horne is an affordable multirole fighter.
Compared to the original F-18, the Super Hornet has a much larger nose, which is why the name Rhino.
It was also a simple way of distinguishing it from the original F-18.
![]() Check out a list of 10 oldest military aircrafts that have been in service for over half a century. |
![]() What are the largest aircraft flying? Here are our top list of the biggest ones in the world. |
![]() This article collected the name of each oldest aircraft carrier manufactured in America and when it was commissioned. |