Fighter jet range in real missions is significantly less than advertised due to several factors. These include weapon load, supersonic flight, low-altitude flying, complex mission profiles, and the need for mandatory fuel reserves. For instance, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, with a ferry range over 2,000 miles, has a combat radius of only 500 miles in air-to-ground missions. This reduction accounts for operational necessities like landing with 25-30% fuel for emergencies.