In 2005, the United States became the first country to introduce 5th generation fighters into service – the F-22 Raptor by Lockheed Martin. Looking at the F-22 compared to its 4th generation predecessors, the aircraft clearly stands out… but what exactly made it the first of a new generation of fighters, rather than just a more refined approach to existing generations?
The names of generations often come from within the aviation community. Each generation has a somewhat subjective list of capabilities that could have existed on a specific aircraft earlier but became mandatory for fighters of the next generation. So here’s how the Air Force breaks down the new capabilities that prompted the definition of a new generation:
As newer 4th generation fighters are still being produced, they are often divided into sub-generations such as 4, 4+, and 4++. These more advanced 4th generation platforms can often boast some 5th generation capabilities but not all of them.
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Fifth-generation jet fighters are typically equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, stealth technology, and sophisticated weapon systems. For example, the F-22 Raptor.
In the case of the first representative of the 5th generation, the F-22 Raptor, the most significant difference from its 4th generation counterparts was that stealth technologies were an integral part of the aircraft’s design. Instead of first developing the fighter in terms of aerodynamics and performance, then seeking ways to reduce radar visibility, the development of the F-22 prioritized stealth from the outset.
Certainly, that’s not all that made the F-22 exceptional. Although it was essentially the first true stealth fighter on the planet, it also possessed several other crucial attributes of the 5th generation. The F-22 was equipped with highly integrated computer systems capable of interacting with other networked assets. It’s a high-performance aircraft capable of executing multifunctional tasks. As a result, it maintains a higher level of situational awareness than was possible on older platforms.
The F-22 also has supersonic cruise capabilities, meaning it can sustain supersonic speeds without using afterburner. For a fighter-interceptor like the F-22, the ability to engage enemy aircraft at extremely high speeds while conserving enough fuel for combat after arrival is crucial. Conversely, the workhorse of the US Air Force, the multi-role 4th generation fighter F-16 Fighting Falcon, will burn through all its onboard fuel in a matter of minutes if the afterburner is engaged.
As a result, maneuverability was considered part of the 5th generation for some time… Until no other 5th generation fighter appeared in the sky with such capability. Today, only the F-22 has maneuverability within its generation, and as such, it became a valuable feature but not a defining characteristic of generations.
Today, there are three (and a half) active 5th generation fighters in the world: the American F-22 and F-35, and the Chinese J-20 (with the Russian Su-57 being a stretch). What sets these fighters apart from even the most advanced and sophisticated 4th generation platforms, such as the F-15EX? The main differences are:
Network capabilitiesWhile some are still debating the intricacies of what is required from a 5th generation fighter, these characteristics are generally accepted.
So, what characteristics do 5th generation jet fighters have? As I mentioned, the key ones are stealth, sensors, and maneuverability. Stealth technology helps the aircraft avoid detection by reducing or deflecting radar, infrared, visible light, radio frequency spectrum, and audio signals. The sensor suite includes modern electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and electro-optical sensors for detecting adversaries at long distances. It also includes sensor fusion – merging data from various sensors and presenting it to the pilot as actionable information. Supercruise capability means the fighter can fly at supersonic speeds without afterburner, significantly saving fuel and increasing its combat endurance.
Some of these capabilities were present in 4th generation aircraft as well, but each of them must be present in a 5th generation platform. So the question arises… what will be the criteria for a 6th generation fighter when 5th generation platforms are still so rare?
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Jet fighters of the 6th generation are currently under development. Analysts believe that 6th generation fighters will likely have certain distinct characteristics from their predecessors:
In a world where technology plays an increasingly crucial role in military strategy, 6th generation fighters will become the culmination of engineering and military genius. These powerful machines represent the quintessence of advanced technologies, strategic thinking, and innovative design, capable of transcending existing concepts of air power. They are not just aircraft; they are true “smart” machines with computer intelligence capable of processing vast amounts of data in real-time.
6th generation fighters feature improved maneuverability and combat efficiency. They are equipped with powerful engines, advanced flight control systems, and innovative designs that enable them to confidently operate in both close-range and long-range air combat. These machines possess a unique ability to adapt to various combat scenarios and successfully execute missions in diverse conditions. They are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including air space defense, ground target strikes, reconnaissance missions, and much more. These machines adapt to different combat conditions and provide strategic flexibility in the deployment and use of military force.
Several countries, including the United States, Russia, and China, have publicly announced their plans for implementing national programs to develop sixth-generation aircraft. Additionally, a consortium of countries including Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden has initiated joint multinational initiatives aimed at sharing development costs. It is expected that the first operational sixth-generation fighters will be introduced into service during the 2030s. Countries actively involved in the development of sixth-generation fighters include:
In 2010, the Japanese government unveiled a conceptual sixth-generation fighter known as the i3 FIGHTER, where “i3” stands for “informed, intelligent, and instantaneous.” It features enhanced stealth capabilities, a light-based flight control system, advanced powerful engines, an advanced sensor suite, the ability for “cloud shooting” (networked fire control), and directed energy weapons known as “light-speed weapons.” It is a highly informative and “intelligent” platform for “instantaneous” enemy destruction.
In July 2014, the possibility of the United Kingdom’s participation in the development program of a next-generation fighter after 2030 was discussed in a report by the House of Commons Defence Committee. This fighter potentially could replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, whose expected service life has been extended until approximately 2040. On March 22, 2016, Japan conducted the first flight of the experimental aircraft Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin as part of this project.
In July 2018, the then Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom, Gavin Williamson, unveiled the Combat Air Strategy of the United Kingdom and introduced the conceptual sixth-generation fighter named Tempest for the Royal Air Force, which was showcased at the Farnborough Airshow 2018. In 2019, Sweden and Italy joined the Tempest project, while India and Japan were invited to participate.
On April 1, 2020, Japan officially announced its F-X program. In 2022, after a year of increasingly closer collaboration with the Tempest project and exiting the industrial partnership with Lockheed Martin, Japan merged its F-X program with the development of the BAE Tempest fighter, creating the Global Combat Aviation Program of the three countries. Japan also decided to continue separate development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Two weeks after signing this agreement between the UK, Italy, and Japan, Sweden signed a bilateral defense trade agreement with Japan, allowing Sweden to remain an observer in the program with the possibility of future participation as a development partner if desired.
France, Germany, and Spain are collaborating on a sixth-generation system, with a demonstration prototype expected to undergo test flights around 2027, and it is anticipated to be operational by approximately 2040.
According to forecasts, the United States Air Force (USAF) and the United States Navy (USN) are expected to unveil their first sixth-generation fighters in 2030. The USAF is actively developing a sixth-generation air superiority fighter under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which is intended to succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Similarly, the USN is pursuing a comparable initiative under the NGAD name, but with a fighter component referred to as F/A-XX. This new aircraft is designed to complement the smaller Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II and replace existing Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.
The US Navy initiated the development program for the sixth-generation aircraft F/A-XX in 2008, while the US Air Force began soliciting initial proposals for the next-generation tactical aircraft (Next Gen TACAIR), which later evolved into the F-X program, in 2010.
In April 2013, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) launched a research effort aimed at converging the existing concepts of the US Air Force and US Navy. Initially, work on the next-generation fighter was led by DARPA under the “Air Dominance Initiative,” with the goal of developing X-plane prototypes, while the Navy and Air Force focused on variants tailored to the specific requirements of their missions. However, in the same year, the RAND Corporation opposed joint programs for the development of a sixth-generation fighter, citing previous instances where differing specific requirements from different branches of the military led to compromises in design, significantly increasing costs.
In 2014, a more comprehensive approach to future technologies was proposed, envisioning that US Air Force aircraft would work alongside ground and non-kinetic air defense assets and carry more combat payloads compared to current fighters. In 2016, the US Air Force officially solidified this strategy shift in their “Air Superiority 2030” plan, emphasizing “networked integrated systems, distributed across various platforms,” instead of solely focusing on sixth-generation fighters. At that time, the requirements of both the Air Force and Navy were already unified, with a primary focus on artificial intelligence systems and joint airframes.
On September 14, 2020, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman announced projects for the development of sixth-generation aircraft. The US Air Force disclosed that a prototype component of the aircraft for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program completed its first flight, but specific details remain classified.
In general, the main difference between fifth and sixth-generation fighter jets lies in the level of technological advancement. Sixth-generation aircraft are designed to be more stealthy, integrated, and versatile than their predecessors. However, both generations of fighter jets are incredibly sophisticated and capable aircraft, and they will continue to play a crucial role in countries’ defense strategies worldwide.
In particular, sixth-generation fighters represent a new era in aerial combat, combining advanced technologies, high efficiency, and multifunctionality. They serve as a testament to humanity’s ongoing pursuit of progress and improvement, and their development and deployment continue to shape the future of airspace and military capability worldwide.
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