Mikhail Simonov: Aircraft designer whose Su-27 is regarded as the best jet fighter of the 20th century has passed away in Moscow.
Hmm, depends on what criteria you pick, as there is a long list of potential claimants to that title, including at different times the F-4, F-15, F-16, F-86, Mirage(s), Hunter and several of the MiG designs which were built in large numbers and widely exported.