Currently, the fifth generation fighters are the most modern in combat aviation.
All have at least some of these characteristics: super maneuverability, supercruise (supersonic cruise flight without the use of afterburners), data fusion, state-of-the-art avionics, active electronically scanned array (EASA) and stealth ( stealth), the latter being the most important characteristic of all, being present in all fifth-generation fighters (or projects).
This characteristic is obtained through the general design of the aircraft, designed to deflect radar waves, and with the use of electronic warfare systems and composite materials in the construction of the aircraft, which absorb part of the waves.
But after all, what are the fifth-generation fighters present today? What are the future projects?
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor
The F-22A Raptor was the first fifth-generation fighter. Its origins date back to the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project of the US Air Force (USAF), whose embryo came in the 80s.
The ATF gave rise to two technology demonstrators: the YF-22 developed by Lockheed, Boeing and General Dynamics and the YF-23 by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas.
The demonstrator team led by Lockheed won, and in September 1997 the F-22 Raptor as we know it today took off for the first time; the aircraft entered service with the USAF in 2005.
The F-22 is an air superiority fighter with a secondary ground attack capability. To fulfill its primary function, the aircraft is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range Air-to-Air missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles. For Air-to-Ground missions, the F-22 carries GBU-32 JDAM bombs or GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB).
In September 2014 the F-22A debuted in combat: four fighters carried out strike missions against Islamic State targets in northern Syria using GBU-32 bombs.
In addition to bombs and missiles, the Raptor is equipped with a 61mm M20 Vulcan rotary cannon. The aircraft can also carry two external tanks, giving it a transfer range of 1600 nautical miles.
Its Pratt & Whitney F119 engines give it supercruise* capability, being able to fly at Mach 1.8 without using afterburners and it is estimated that its top speed is around Mach 2.2.
*The supercruise capability is interesting because it allows the aircraft to fly quickly, reducing the response time to an attack, without compromising flight autonomy so much.
Of the 195 Raptors built, five were lost to accidents, two of which were fatal. The F-22 is an exclusive USAF aircraft, and for that the US Congress created laws banning the export of hunting in order to keep your secrets well protected.
Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning II
The F-35 is the result of the t Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Like the ATF, it also gave rise to two demonstrators: the Boeing X-32 and the Lockheed X-35, the latter being the winner of the program.
Since then, its development has faced several delays and cost increases, making the Most Expensive F-35 in US History, with an estimated cost of US$1 trillion over 60 years.
However, the F-35 is considered the most modern fighter in service today, combining the latest in software and hardware.
Its fusion and data sharing capabilities are superior to any other combat aircraft in service today. The aircraft has cameras mounted on its fuselage, whose images combined through data fusion and projected directly from the helmet, form a 360º view around the fighter, giving the pilot a situational awareness never seen before.
As a fighter designed to serve the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, the F-35 has three variants: A, B and C.
The F-35A is the conventional landing and take-off variant developed for the USAF. It is also the most present in other air forces around the globe. The F-35A is the only one that has the cannon mounted internally: the 22mm GAU-25/A is on the left side of the fuselage and carries 180 rounds.
In the other variants (B and C) the cannon is carried externally in a ventral pod. Despite the pod having stealth characteristics, the stealth ability is still directly affected.
The F-35B is the vertical take-off and landing variant developed for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Because it has a vertical lift engine in the middle of the fuselage, this variant has a slightly lower performance: its maximum range is 900 nautical miles, while the F-35A/C can reach 1200 nautical miles.
The F-35B is also limited to 7G, meaning it is also less maneuverable. However all three variants have the same top speed of Mach 1.6
Developed for the US Navy (USN), the F-35C is the Carrier Landing and Takeoff (CATOBAR) variant.
The Lightning II is a multirole fighter, so it can employ several models of bombs, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Another highlight of the F-35 is the “Beast Mode”, where the aircraft makes use of the external hangers to carry guided bombs and air-to-air missiles.
Unlike the F-22, the F-35 has already been exported for several countries in variants A and B. Currently more than 600 units have already been produced.
Despite continuing development, receiving periodic updates, the F-35 has already participated in real combat missions with the USMC and the Israeli Air Force.
Sukhoi Su-57 Felon
Formerly designated the T-50, the Su-57 is a product of the Russian Air Force's Project PAK-FA (Aeronautical Prospective Frontline Aviation Complex). Its first flight took place in January 2010 and the first production unit was received by the Russian Air Force on December 25, 2020.
Its development suffered delays mainly in the engines: the prototypes and the first units will continue using the AL-41F1 turbofans (a more powerful version of the AL-31 used in the Flanker Family fighters) until the new engine Izdeliye 30 be ready. It is estimated that the Su-57 will have a transfer range of 4500km (using recently tested underwing tanks) and a top speed of Mach 2.
It is worth ing that its engines are equipped with thrust vectoring (TVC), which gives it very high maneuverability, although this feature has not been new in Russian fighters since the introduction of the Sukhoi Su-27 in the 80s.
The Su-57 employs several sensors integrated with each other, with emphasis on the N036 radars mounted on the nose, on the “chin” and on the leading edges of the wings. It may seem strange, but this approach brings a huge gain in target detection and tracking capabilities, as well as increased pilot situational awareness.
In addition to radars, the Su-57 also employs a package of electro-optical sensors, with emphasis on the infrared search and tracking sensor (IRST) 101KS-V, equipment that can be considered traditional in fighter aircraft of Russian origin.
The fighter is equipped with a 30mm GSh-1-30 cannon and can use a wide range of weapons, such as the R-37, R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, the Kh- 31 and Kh-58 and guided bombs of various types.
The aircraft came to be combat tested in Syria in 2018. In 2019, the publication Scramble Magazine disclosed that NATO would have assigned the Felon code to the Su-57, which was not confirmed by the organization. However, the supposed designation has already become popular, and it is common to see experts and enthusiasts calling the aircraft Felon.
Currently, the Su-57 has only been acquired by the Russian Air Force, while Algeria has already shown interest in the aircraft. An acquisition of 14 aircraft was reported in 2019, but the agreement was not confirmed by the Algerian Government or the Russian Government.
India participated in the development of the fighter with the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) Program, but ended up abandoning the project in 2018. As reported at the time, the Indian Air Force was not satisfied with the capabilities of the Russian fighter. India is now developing its own fifth-generation fighter, the HAL AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon
The J-20 Mighty Dragon is the first fifth-generation fighter of the China Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), developed by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation under the J-XX project of the 90s.
The aircraft made its first flight in January 2011 and entered service with the PLAAF in 2017 and like the US F-35 and Russia's Su-57, it is also under development.
Unlike all fifth-generation fighter designs (with the exception of the Swedish design), the Chinese J-20 uses delta-canard wings, which increases its maneuverability but reduces its stealth. It is believed that this reduction was offset by the use of electronic warfare systems.
Compared to the F-22, its main adversary, the J-20 carries fewer air-to-air missiles: four PL-15 medium missiles and two PL-10 short-range missiles, against six AIM-120s and two AIM-9s. for the American.
However, the aircraft should receive newer missiles in the future. The same goes for engines: newer aircraft are getting the WS-10C turbofans of Chinese origin.
These are expected to replace the Russian Saturn AL-31F currently in use. The aircraft is believed to have nearly 6000 kilometers of shuttle range and a top speed close to Mach 2.5.
Little is known about the real capabilities of any fifth-generation fighter, but it can be said that the J-20 and its "compatriot" FC-31 are the most mysterious today. This is largely due to the fact that China is a very closed country, which is not used to talking much about its state-of-the-art equipment.
Anyway, the J-20 is already in service and the PLAAF continues to receive its units. In January AVIC released artwork suggesting the development of a two-seat version (two seats) from J-20. The fighter, which has a great aura of speculation around it, has preoccupied the West for quite some time.
Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon
If the J-20 is mysterious, Shenyang's FC-31 Gyrfalcon is even more so. The aircraft made its maiden flight in October 2012 and was unveiled to the public at the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show. In its first version it was quite clear that its design was very inspired by the F-22 and F-35, being almost a mixture of the two.
However, latest photos show that the design of the aircraft was revised, and it no longer resembles its American counterparts.
Currently its engines are the RD-93 of Russian origin, but as the project evolves it will eventually receive Chinese engines.
Its dimensions are similar to those of the F-35 — both have a wingspan of approximately 11 meters; the Chinese one is 17 meters long and the American one is 15 meters long — but the performance should be superior. It is believed that the FC-31 will have a top speed of around 2200 km/h.
The FC-31 is being developed as a naval hunting, and its program is receiving funding from the Chinese Navy. The fighter will be embarked on the new generation of Chinese aircraft carriers.
Future Projects
The United States, Russia and China already have their fifth-generation fighters in service, some already tested in combat in the case of the Su-57, F-22 and F-35. But other nations are developing their own projects.
South Korea is almost completing the first prototype of the KAI KF-X, whose rollout should take place later this year, and the first flight next year. The aircraft is being developed tly with Indonesia and is expected to replace the aging F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
Several international companies such as Elta, Elbit, Saab and General-Electric also participate in the project.
An interesting feature of the KF-X is that the first versions, called Block I, will carry their weapons externally, contrary to the other fifth-generation fighters.
While this greatly reduces the stealth capability of the aircraft, it also allows it to be put into service as quickly as possible, giving companies more scope to develop the fully stealth version.
The aircraft is designed to have a top speed close to Mach 1.8. In South Korea, the project is a source of controversy due to its high cost, since it would be much cheaper to acquire ready-made aircraft. It is worth ing that the ROKAF acquired 40 units of the F-35 Lightning II.
The first prototype is already in the final stages of assembly and should be presented in April.
In Turkey, the development of the TAI TF-X follows, whose first flight is planned for 2023. The Turkish Government is investing heavily in the project since it was expelled from the F-35 program after the acquisition of S-400 anti-aircraft systems of Russian origin. According to the US, the S-400 can capture sensitive data from the F-35, which would be ed on to Russia.
The rapprochement with Russia became even stronger when this ed the development of TF-X, including technology transfer. According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft should have a speed greater than Mach 1.8, supercruise capability, and very low thermal and radar signatures.
After leaving the FGFA Program in partnership with Russia, India directed its resources towards the development of the HAL AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). The AMCA will replace the Mirage 2000, Sepecat Jaguar and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-27 (the latter already retired) and operate together with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafale, MiG-29K and the HAL Tejas also developed in India.
A In order to reduce its dependence on and Russia, its main suppliers, the Indian project already has a very high level of nationalization of components and the aircraft should be 100% developed and manufactured on Indian soil.
According to the Indian Air Force, the AMCA will be capable of performing ground attack, air superiority, and interception missions and will have some sixth generation features. In addition, the aircraft should have naval variants.
In 2013 Iran unveiled the Qaher 313, a small fifth-generation single-seat fighter. However, the project was soon highly questioned by experts due to its design, size and cockpit avionics.
In 2017 Iranian state media released videos of a taxi test with a new prototype, showing differences in its size, engines and design.
The Flygsystem 2020, or FS 2020, is the Swedish project for a fifth-generation fighter that is expected to replace the JAS-39 Gripen. The released arts show a single-engine fighter equipped with canards. Little information has been released about the project and there is no rollout forecast for any prototype.
The Pakistani Air Force has said it is developing a fifth-generation fighter under Project Azm, but has not elaborated.
The Sixth Generation
Since the first flight of the F-22 Raptor in 1997, only 3 countries have developed fifth generation fighters: USA, Russia and China. The US already has the F-22 in service since 2005 and the F-35 since 2015, with the latter still under development.
Russia recently took delivery of its first production Sukhoi Su-57 and the aircraft is still using interim AL-41F1 engines.
China has operated the Chengdu J-20 since 2017, but like the F-35 and Su-57, it is still under development. Even less is known about the Shenyang FC-31 that is to be carried on new Chinese aircraft carriers. That is, there are only five models (not counting the F-35 variants) of fifth-generation fighters developed by only three countries.
Even so, mock-ups and art of what the Sixth Generation of Fighters should look like have already appeared. The most relevant projects are the BAe Tempest from England, Italy and Sweden; the New Generation Fighter (NGF) project Future Combat Air System (FCAS) of , and Spain; the Russian Mikoyan MiG-41; The japanese fx and the US F/A-XX. All are preliminary projects that should define how and what the requirements of the future generation of fighters will be.
It is currently believed that the sixth-generation fighters will also be as stealthy as the fifth-generation fighters, will be optionally manned, will use directed energy (laser) weapons, hypersonic missiles, and will control huge swarms of armed drones within highly contested combat environments and network-centric.
The British Tempest mock-up was first shown at the Farnborough Air Show in 2018. Since then various companies ed the project. The NGF/FCAS was presented at the Paris Air Show in 2019.
O F/A-XX Program of the US is intended to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet of the US Navy. In 2020, the US Air Force said it had developed and flight-tested a new-generation fighter prototype, but gave no further details.
The designs already exist, but it will be a long time before a sixth-generation fighter is ready for combat. Until then, the current fifth-generation fighters should evolve exponentially, through updates in their various systems.
