Fifth generation fighter

The world's most advanced fighter aircraft in active service

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The fifth generation fighter is based on the military Jet fighter It is the most advanced generation of active models in the world fighter 。 The performance characteristics of the fifth generation fighter can generally be summarized by 4S.

The biggest feature of the fifth generation fighter compared with the previous generation fighter is that Fifth generation aeroengine Use of and Low Observable Comprehensive application of technology, high mobility, advanced avionics system, highly integrated computer network, excellent battlefield condition perception and information fusion capability. The fifth generation fighter planes in service include the United States Lockheed Martin Productive F-22 、 F-35 , and China's Chengfei Designed and produced J-20 In addition, Russia United Aircraft Group- Sukhoi Of Su-57 fighter.^[1-3]

Chinese name: The fifth generation jet fighter
Foreign name: Fifth-generation jet fighter

Representative: F-22、F-35、Su-57、J-20、FC-31
Features: Stealth, supersonic cruise capability, thrust vectoring

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▪ China
three Various models

Fighter characteristics

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The fifth generation fighter needs to have 4s performance characteristics, namely: Stealth; Super Sonic Cruise; Super Maneuverability; Superior Avionics for Battle Awareness and Effectiveness U.S.A Of F-117A The revolutionary feature of the era is stealth performance. Stealth performance depends on the shape, materials and internal weapon cabin. Even with a fully equipped combat configuration, the fighter still has a very low radar reflection cross section. The fifth generation fighter aircraft of the United States has used F-117A 、 B-2 bomber and AGM-129 Stealth technology developed by "advanced cruise missile". For those fighters who simply rely on mobility to win, this almost invisible combat capability determines the most important revolutionary part in the development of the fifth generation fighter platform.

YF-23

However, stealth performance is only one factor of aircraft operational performance, and overemphasizing stealth performance will have a negative impact on other aircraft performance, such as maneuverability. Therefore, the fifth generation fighter will try to achieve a certain balance between various operational indicators, the most typical of which is F-22 fighter 。 The ATF plan of the US Air Force produced YF-22 、 YF-23 Two technology verification machines, YF-23 The stealth performance is better than that of YF-22. The reason is that the trailing edge sweep angle of YF-22 is 17 degrees, which is not consistent with the leading edge sweep angle, so the edges of wings and tails are not parallel, so its strong beam reflection can only be controlled at about 8 angles. In contrast, the wings and tails of YF-23 are parallel, and the strong beam reflection control can be controlled at less than 4 angles. However, the design of YF-22 increases the wing area, reduces the wing load and improves the maneuverability of the aircraft; The YF-23 pays more in terms of mobility. Finally, by taking better account of the relationship between stealth and mobility, the YF-22 was able to defeat the YF-23 and become a new generation fighter of the US Air Force.

The fifth generation fighter F35 in the 21st century emphasizes that the information fusion technology is "ultra-low detectability (stealth)"+"super information perception"=the whole battlefield perception capability of God's perspective. F35 "needs to be regarded as a" sensor To the shooter's equipment, "Lieutenant General Deputura said. "F-35 should actually be considered as' F-B-E/A-RC-E-AWACS-35 '" because it will integrate traditional fighters bomber , electronic warfare aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and special electronic and air early warning and control system platforms.

For example, if a missile is launched against it, the F-35 can automatically detect where the missile comes from, and the pilot can automatically aim at the location. The communication data link on the aircraft will enable it to collect enemy intelligence, even if the aircraft is still on the ground - when the aircraft takes off, it can collect more intelligence. F35 is essentially a multi-functional small stealth early warning aircraft with its own weapons. The impact of F-35 fighter on the future: comparable to the replacement of old mobile phones by smart phones.^[4-6]

An F-35 fighter led 100 other fighters in battle. He said that this simulated battle was very different from the previous one. It started not from the discovery of each other by the fighter planes of both sides, but from various reconnaissance and monitoring platforms distributed in the sky and space. The F-35 had learned all kinds of information about the enemy before entering the battle position.

When the F-35 fighter arrived at the battle line, according to the simulated confrontation design, it encountered the "most powerful air defense system capable of attacking the US military" in the world. However, the F-35 has already obtained the perception information of the battlefield situation, and has decided how to fight in the most beneficial way.

According to this information, the F-35 transmits target threat and value ranking, favorable operational position, air defense firepower suppression, search and rescue and other information to friendly fighters through the data link, playing the role of an air command post. The F-35 is the first fighter that integrates radar, infrared, data link, electronic warfare system and warning system into a perfect battlefield awareness system. The degree of avionics system integration ranks first in the world.

in the past, Fighters such as the F-15 already have integrated combat electronic systems that can be connected to each other, but this connection is quite primitive compared with the F-35. For example, radar warning has a separate human-computer interaction control interface, and battlefield environment awareness is another interface completely separated from the former. How to use jamming means or weapons to suppress requires other interfaces, They can only simply transfer data information to each other, but cannot be integrated and summarized. The pilots of F-15 and other fighter planes rely on their own experience and response to achieve the integration of all information. The F-35 first fuses and summarizes all these information, and outputs it to the pilot in a simple and easy to operate way, so that the pilot only needs to focus on the final decision and communication with other platforms, instead of being busy with the specific operation of various independent systems.

Goldfan said: "(F-35 pilots), like the command team, command other fighters according to the fusion and summary output of battlefield perception information from themselves and other platforms displayed in the cockpit." As has been widely reported, the F-35 has achieved a 15:1 battle loss rate in the Red Flag exercise, and only one F-35 is lost for every 15 enemy aircraft shot down.

More importantly, the battle damage rate of all fighter squadrons led by the F-35 has improved significantly, no matter what fighter they are equipped with.^[4]

Another particularly important advantage of the fifth generation fighter is its ease of maintenance. Take every flight hour as an example F-117 The stealth maintenance of A attack aircraft requires 55 man hours, while the stealth maintenance of the fifth generation fighter aircraft will only take a few minutes in the mature stage.

The fifth generation fighter aircraft is equipped with high damage long-range standoff launch stealth cruise missiles (i.e. "Joint standoff launch weapons" JSOW-ER missiles), such as the United States: AGM-129 stealth cruise missile (special for bombers), SLAM-ER, JASSM-ER, SMACM, AGM-154, AGM-158 stealth cruise missiles (common to the fifth generation fighter), new long-range stealth anti-ship missiles (LRASM, the fifth generation fighter) currency ）SDB precision guided stealth small diameter bomb (common to the fifth generation fighter), B61-12 earth penetrating nuclear bomb (common to the fifth generation fighter); Norway and the United States: JSM stealth cruise missile (modified NSM stealth anti-ship missile, common to the fifth generation fighter); Germany, South Korea: Taurus stealth cruise missile (common to the fifth generation fighter); Germany, Turkey: SOM stealth cruise missile (common to the fifth generation fighter); Britain, France, Italy: Storm Shadow cruise missile (common to the fifth generation fighter); Soviet Union/Russia: M25 "Meteor" hypersonic stealth strategic cruise missile, Kh-101 stealth cruise missile (special for bombers), KH59MK2 stealth cruise missile (common to the fifth generation fighter); China: GB-6A subsonic stealth cruise missile (for bombers), KD-20 stealth cruise missile (for bombers).^[7-8]

The fifth generation fighter combines mobility, agility, flight performance, stealth, information fusion, better situational awareness, and the ability to conduct network operations through major improvements in engine and stealth, integrated avionics system, and logistics support, and has generated advantages never seen in previous stages of fighter development.^[9]

Design development

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F-117 Nighthawk

Previous generation stealth aircraft, such as B-2 ghost bomber and F-117 Nighthawk fighter , due to lack Electronically scanned array radar And LPI wireless network technology, only for attacking ground targets. Because using radar to lock other aircraft will expose yourself.

Russia

In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union proposed to develop the next generation fighter to replace the Fourth generation fighter —— Mig-29 and Su-27 Needs. The Yakovlev Design Bureau also developed the Yak-141 VTOL fighter, Yak-43 VTOL fighter, and Yak-201 VTOL fighter, which were cancelled due to lack of weapons research and development funds. And MiG 1.44 and Sukhoi S-37, which ended with the disintegration of the Soviet Union^[10] 。 In 2002, Sukhoi Led the design of new aircraft as the U.S. F-22 and F-35 Direct competitors of. On January 29, 2010, Sukhoi Group's Su-57 heavy fighter carried out its first test flight, and MiG Group developed LMFS fighter 、 FGFA fighter For export to countries and India, which is also developing AMCA Advanced Medium Fighter 。

On August 10, 2023 local time, the first deputy general manager of Russia National Technology Corporation, Algakov, said during the "Military-2023" international military technology forum that the group planned to significantly increase the production speed of the fifth generation Russian fighter Su-57 in 2023. According to the official news of Russia, the Su-57 fighter planes will be delivered to the Russian army in batches in 2022. The Russian Air and Space Army will receive 22 by the end of 2024, and the number of aircraft loaded will increase to 76 in 2028.^[14]

Iran

Iran On the 2nd, a new domestic stealth fighter named "Conqueror F-313" was announced. according to Islamic Republic of Iran According to the news agency, this model is designed and produced by Iran fighter It has the ability of low altitude operation and certain ability to avoid radar reconnaissance, and can carry Iranian self-made weapons for air to air and air to ground operations.

South Korea and Indonesia

The KF-X development plan of South Korea was proposed by KAI in 2001 and jointly developed with Indonesia. The initial goal was to develop a dual engine stealth fighter with performance better than "gust" and "typhoon". Among many countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has the most complete aviation industry system, which benefits from its earlier cooperation with European countries. Indonesia's aviation industry can not only meet the equipment support requirements of the domestic army, navy and air force, but also independently develop and produce military and civilian helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and regional airliners. The technical level of some aircraft types even keeps pace with that of Europe.^[11]

turkey

Turkish TFX fighter is the fifth generation fighter jet being developed by Turkey. There is news that this project involves the participation of Switzerland Flygsystem2020 and the United Kingdom. It is expected to be put into use after 2020. The fifth generation fighter is based on the military Jet fighter It is the most advanced generation fighter of the world's active models.

India

AMCA "Advanced Medium Fighter" is the development plan of Indian fighter, which aims to design a single seat, dual engine, fifth generation stealth multipurpose vertical takeoff and landing fighter. A wind tunnel model of a medium-sized fighter was unveiled at the 2009 Bangalore Air Show.

China

In the late 1990s, China's fifth generation fighter plan was confirmed by western intelligence sources. In November 2009, PLA Air Force Deputy Commander He Weirong once expected J-20 It will be put into use between 2017 and 2019. On January 11, 2011, the J-20 conducted its first test flight.

J-20

The J-20 fighter is the fifth generation stealth fighter independently developed by the Chinese Air Force.

In November 2016, the J-20 participated in the China Airshow and made its first public flight demonstration. Since then, the J-20 has participated in the military parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. On July 1, 2021, the J-20 made its first appearance in a large formation of 15 aircraft to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China^[13] 。

J-31

Chinese J-31 , is China shenyang aircraft corporation The second engine single seat medium-sized fifth generation fighter under development completed its first flight test on October 31, 2012. Its appearance has typical stealth fighter characteristics. Because of the use of dual front wheel landing gear, it is highly possible to speculate that it can be used for Chinese aircraft carrier Shipborne type on the.

At the press conference of the China Airshow held on the morning of September 27, 2022, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesman of the Chinese Air Force, said in response to questions from CCTV reporters at the headquarters that China's fifth generation fighter J-20 has spread all over the "Southeast, Northwest and Central China", with more and more lines and flying farther and farther away, playing an increasingly important role in the new era of military training and preparation.^[12]

The J-31, code named Huying, is a medium-sized fifth generation fighter with two engines and one seat, which is under development in China. It first flew on October 31, 2012.^[15]

Various models

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Some of the following models are still in the stage of research and development or stagnation
model	R&D countries	summary	picture
-	-	-	F-35 fighter
Su-57 fighter	Russia	Su-57 The fighter is a United Aviation Manufacturing Company of the Russian Federation those under one's command Sukhoi Aviation Group The high-performance multipurpose fighter, which is dominated and produced, uses a large number of composite materials, accounting for 25% of the total weight of the fuselage and covering 70% of the surface area. titanium alloy It accounts for 75% of the airframe weight and is used to replace the Su-27 fighter. The prototype is a Russian T-50 fighter.	Su-57 (formerly T-50) fighter
-	-	-	F-22 fighter
FC-31 fighter	China	FC-31 Fighters are AVIC The fifth generation medium sized fighter with two engines and one seat developed by Shenyang Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd. made its first flight on October 31, 2012. FC-31 adopts conventional aerodynamic layout, with DSI inlet, trapezoidal main wing, inclined double vertical tail and built-in magazine, etc., and its appearance is typical Stealth fighter features.	FC-31 fighter
Mig-1.44 fighter	Russia	Mig-1.44 The fighter is the former Soviet Union Migoyan Design Bureau Re development Mig-31 The ultimate twin engine single seater fighter. Later, it was continued by Russia. Migoyan Design Bureau only produced one due to financial problems Technical verification machine 。	MiG-1.44 fighter
Su-47 fighter	Russia	Su-47 Is created by Russian federation Sukhoi Aviation Group The developed supersonic test machine was numbered S-32 and S-37 in the design and flight test phase. R&D was stopped and was not adopted by the Russian military.	Su-47 fighter
Conqueror F-313	Iran	The news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran revealed on February 2, 2013 that this fighter plane independently developed by Iran has the ability to avoid radar detection and low altitude combat.	Conqueror F-313
KF-X fighter	the republic of korea	The fifth generation fighter jointly produced by South Korea and Indonesia is designed to become a twin engine stealth fighter with performance superior to typhoon fighter and gust fighter.	KF-X fighter
Xinshen fighter	Japan	The Japanese ATD-X project technology verification aircraft makes the technical groundwork for the fifth generation fighter developed by Japan itself. Its design goal is to create a stealth fighter with better handling performance and air superiority.	Xinshen fighter
KAAN fighter (TFX fighter)	turkey	KAAN (Khan) fighter is the fifth generation fighter being developed by Turkey, and its test flight was successful on February 21, 2024.	TFX fighter
AMCA fighter	India	AMCA fighter is the development plan of Indian fighter, which aims to design a single seat, dual engine, fifth generation stealth multi-purpose fighter.	AMCA Advanced Medium Fighter
Jacque-141st	Russia	A vertical takeoff and landing fighter with canard delta wing, single engine and double vertical tails designed by Jacques Design Bureau, has an obvious stealthy body shape. The canard wing and wing are both double broken line trailing edges, the vertical tail is inclined outward significantly, and the front fuselage section is rhombic, similar to Lockheed Martin's F-22 and early X-35 programs.	Yak-141st fighter