I have not used fighters since the first week I got the game because they die too easily. Something just occurred to me though which would make them very usefull ! Launch them on the strategic map one at a time into different squares and have THEM sweep the minefield one at a time ! Put just a cockpit and engines on, making them really cheap. So if you are not able to sweep free with a minesweeper, you might be able to clear it with fighters....