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Fifth-generation fighter

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Fifth-generation fighter
A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (top) and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (bottom), two fifth-generation fighters used by the United States Air Force
General information
TypeFighter aircraft
National originMulti-national
History
First flight1990 (YF-23)
Developed fromFourth-generation fighter
Developed intoSixth-generation fighter

A fifth-generation fighter is a way to group jet fighter aircraft. It includes major technologies developed in the first part of the 21st century. As of 2025, these are the most advanced fighters being used. People do not always agree on the exact features of a fifth-generation fighter, and not every fighter has all of them. However, they usually include stealth (being hard to detect), low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), a body (airframe) that can move quickly and fly at supercruise speeds, and advanced avionics (electronics). They also have highly integrated computer systems that can connect with other friendly forces (networking) to get a better understanding of the battlefield (situational awareness). This also helps with command, control and communications (C3) abilities.[1]

As of January 2023, the fifth-generation fighters that are ready for combat are: the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, used by the United States Air Force (USAF) since December 2005; the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) since July 2015;[2][3] the Chengdu J-20, used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) since March 2017;[4] the Shenyang J-35, used by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) since September 2025; and the Sukhoi Su-57, used by the Russian Air Force (VVS) since December 25, 2020.[5] Other countries and groups of countries are also working on their own fifth-generation fighter projects.

Characteristics

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The new group of advanced fighter aircraft in the first decades of the 21st century is called the fifth generation.[6] The exact features of a fifth-generation fighter are not always agreed upon, and not every fighter type has all of them. Some ways of counting fighter generations list more than five groups leading up to this new one.[7][8]

The Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India 2025.

Older fourth-generation fighters were mostly built for high maneuverability and close-range "dogfighting". Fifth-generation fighters have different features.[8][1] These features usually include stealth, which means weapons (munitions) are stored inside the plane to make it harder to detect. They also have high maneuverability and are often able to take off and land on short runways. Another feature is supercruise, which is the ability to fly faster than sound for a long time without using reheat. They also have advanced electronics (avionics), like low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR). They use networked data fusion, which combines information from many sources to give the pilot better situation awareness of the battlefield. Finally, they are multirole, meaning they can do many jobs at once, such as helping with command, control and communications (C3).

To make them harder to see on radar (a small radar cross-section or RCS), most fifth-generation fighters use chines instead of standard leading edge extensions. They also usually do not have canards (small wings near the nose). However, the Sukhoi T-50 has parts near its engine intakes that act somewhat like canards. The designers of the Chengdu J-20 decided to use canards to make the plane more agile, even though this can make it less stealthy.[9] These fighters also have two vertical tails that are tilted (like a V-tail) to help reduce radar detection from the side. The fighters that have supermaneuverability usually get this ability by using thrust vectoring.

All of these fighters have internal weapon bays (spaces inside the plane) to carry weapons. This helps them avoid using weapon racks (pylons) on the outside, which make the plane easier to see on radar. However, they still have external hardpoints on their wings. These can be used for missions where stealth is not needed, or for carrying extra fuel tanks, like the F-22 does when flying to a new base.

All fifth-generation fighters are also made of a lot of composite materials. This helps reduce their weight and their radar signature (RCS).

Software-defined aircraft

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All fifth-generation fighters that we know about use regular commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) main computer processors. These processors control all the plane's sensors. The sensors' information is combined (sensor fusion) to create one clear picture of the battlefield for the pilot, using both the plane's own sensors and information from other friendly forces.[10][11][12] In older jet fighters, each sensor or piece of equipment would give its own separate information, and the pilot had to mentally combine all that information to understand the battlefield.

For example, when the F-22A was first delivered, it did not have synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or an infra-red search and track system for situational awareness. It is getting the SAR ability later through software updates.[13] However, a problem in these very complex software systems can shut down other parts of the plane that seem unrelated. The complexity of an aircraft that depends on software can lead to big software problems (software crisis), causing extra costs and delays.[14][15] By the end of 2013, the biggest worry for the F-35 program was its software, especially the software needed to combine all the data from its different sensors.[16]

The company Sukhoi calls its expert system for sensor fusion the 'artificial intelligence' of the Su-57.[17] Flight tests for its new electronics system began in 2017. This system uses a multicore processor and fiber optic networks.[18] The system is not perfect. In December 2020, the first production Su-57 crashed because of a problem with its computer flight control system.[19]

An automatic software reaction to an overheating problem was one of the causes of an F-22 crash.[20] Problems with the electronics also helped cause an F-35A crash in 2020.[21]

The F-35 uses software-defined radio systems. In these systems, common middleware controls field-programmable gate arrays.[13] Col. Arthur Tomassetti has said that the F-35 is a "software intensive airplane and software is easy to upgrade, as opposed to hardware".[22]

To make it easier to add new software features, the F-35's software system separates security jobs between the main kernel and the applications.[23]

Steve O'Bryan of Lockheed Martin has said that the F-35 might get the ability to control UAVs (drones) through a future software update.[24] The U.S. Navy is already planning to let a person in an aircraft control its Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike system, using the drone as a "flying missile magazine" (a platform that carries extra missiles).[25]

Situational awareness

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By combining a stealthy body, stealthy sensors, and stealthy communications, fifth-generation fighters are designed to attack other aircraft before those targets even know they are there.[26] Lt. Col. Gene McFalls of the USAF has said that sensor fusion will use databases to correctly identify aircraft from far away.[27]

It is expected that sensor fusion and automatic target tracking will give the fifth-generation jet fighter pilot a view of the battlefield that is better than the view from older AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. Those older planes might be forced to fly further away from the battle because of new threats. Because of this, tactical control could be moved from the AWACS plane to the pilots in the fighters.[28] Michael Wynne, a former Secretary of the United States Air Force, suggested getting rid of the Boeing E-3 Sentry and Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS planes. He said the money should be spent on more F-35s, simply because enemies are trying hard to target these large, older planes, which are built like airliners.[29]

However, the more powerful sensors, like AESA radar that can do multiple jobs at once, might give the single pilot in the F-22, F-35 and Su-57 too much information to use effectively. The Sukhoi/HAL FGFA project offered to use a two-seat design, which is common in fourth-generation strike fighters, but this idea was dropped because it cost too much.[30]

Research is being done on using a track-before-detect method with sensor fusion in the main computer. This would let fifth-generation fighters attack targets that were not spotted by any single sensor on its own.[31] Probability theory (a type of math) is used to decide "what data to believe, when to believe and how much to believe".[32]

These sensors create too much data for the plane's computers to process completely. Instead, sensor fusion works by comparing what it sees to "threat libraries" already loaded into the computer. These libraries contain information about known enemy weapons and abilities in a certain area.[33] Things that do not match a known threat are not even shown to the pilot.[34]

Combat cloud

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Gilmary M. Hostage III has suggested that fifth-generation jet fighters will work together in a "combat cloud" with future unmanned combat aircraft (drones).[35] Michael Manazir has suggested this could happen soon. For example, a UCLASS drone could be loaded with AMRAAM missiles, and an F-35 pilot could give the command for the drone to launch them.[36]

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References

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 Baker, David (2018). Fifth Generation Fighters: Stealth, Covert Radar, Supercruise, Agility. Morton's Media Group Limited. pp. 5, 46. ISBN 978-1911276586.
  2. ↑ "5th Generation Fighters". Lockheed Martin. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "Marines Declare F-35B Operational, But Is It Really Ready For Combat?". Foxtrot Alpha. Archived from the original on 4 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  4. ↑ Dominguez, Gabriel (2 February 2018). "PLAAF inducts J-20 into combat units". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Первый серийный истребитель Су-57 поступил в авиаполк Южного военного округа". ТАСС (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  6. ↑ Baker, David (2018). Fifth Generation Fighters: Stealth, Covert Radar, Supercruise, Agility. Morton's Media Group Limited. ISBN 978-1911276586.Template:Page number
  7. ↑ Dr Richard P. Hallion (Winter 1990), "Air Force Fighter Acquisition since 1945", Air Power Journal, archived from the original on 2016-12-11, retrieved 2012-02-07
  8. 1 2 de Briganti, Giovanni (9 May 2012). "F-35 Reality Check Ten Years On – Part 1: 'Fifth-Generation' and Other Myths". Defense-aerospace.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  9. ↑ Neblett, Evan; Metheny, Mike; Liefsson, Leifur Thor (17 March 2003). "Canards" (PDF). AOE 4124 Configuration Aerodynamics. Virginia Tech. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  10. ↑ McHale, John (1 May 2010). "F-35 avionics: an interview with the Joint Strike Fighter's director of mission systems and software". Military & Aerospace Electronics. 21 (5). Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  11. ↑ Sherman, Ron (1 April 2006). "F-35 Electronic Warfare Suite: More Than Self-Protection". Avionics. Aviation Today. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  12. ↑ Aronstein, David C.; Hirschberg, Michael J.; Piccirillo, Albert C. (1998). Advanced Tactical Fighter to F-22 Raptor: Origins of the 21st Century Air Dominance Fighter. AIAA. p. 171. ISBN 1-56347-282-1. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  13. 1 2 McHale, John (1 February 2010). "F-35 Joint Strike Fighter leverages COTS for avionics systems". Military & Aviation Electronics. 21 (2). Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Dani (19 February 2007). "Raptors arrive at Kadena". Air Force Link. U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  15. ↑ Drew, Christopher (1 November 2010). "Additional Costs Expected for Lockheed's F-35 Fighter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  16. ↑ Shalal-Esa, Andrea (4 December 2013). "Pentagon focused on weapons, data fusion as F-35 nears combat use". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  17. ↑ Weir, Fred (29 January 2010). "Russia flexes military power with 'futuristic' fighter jet". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  18. ↑ "Russia Starts Flight Tests Of Next-Gen Integrated Avionics Suite Of PAK-FA Fighter Jet". www.defenseworld.net. Digitalwriters Media Pvt. Ltd. 20 April 2017. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  19. ↑ "Источник: упавший в Хабаровском крае Су-57 самопроизвольно вошел в спираль" (in Russian). TASS. 25 December 2019. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  20. ↑ Hennigan, W. J. (19 December 2011). "Fatal problems plague the U.S.' costliest fighter jet". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  21. ↑ "United States Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  22. ↑ Flowers, Chelsea (11 July 2012). "An Inside Look at the F-35 Lightning II". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  23. ↑ Bellamy, Woodrow III (11 April 2014). "Wind River Powers F-35 Communications in Flight Test". Avionics. Aviation Today. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  24. ↑ Wells, Jane (13 May 2014). "The US jet fighter that can do it all—maybe". CNBC. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  25. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (13 February 2014). "Navy's UCLASS Could Be Air to Air Fighter". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Geoffrey (28 April 2014). "Stealth jet 'in class of its own'". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  27. ↑ Mehta, Aaron (13 October 2014). "The Difference Between 4th and 5th Gen EW". Defense News. Intercepts. Retrieved 14 October 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ↑ "Shaping a New Con-ops: The Impact of the F-22 and F-35". Second Line of Defense. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  29. ↑ Clark, Colin (31 January 2011). "Scrap AWACS, JSTARS; Plough Dough Into F-35, Wynne Says". DoD Buzz. Military.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  30. ↑ Sweetman, Bill (30 November 2010). "Rivals Target JSF". Aviation Week. Defense Technology International. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "EO/IR Multi-Sensor Fusion Tracker Algorithm". Navy SBIR. 2011. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  32. ↑ "Elite Engineering: The Brain of the F-35". F35.com. Lockheed Martin. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  33. ↑ Clark, Colin (11 March 2015). "Threat Data Biggest Worry For F-35A's IOC; But It 'Will Be on Time'". BreakingDefense.com. Breaking Media. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  34. ↑ Freedberg, Sydney J. Jr. (7 November 2016). "F-22, F-35 Outsmart Test Ranges, AWACS". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  35. ↑ Laird, Robbin (10 January 2013). "Why Air Force Needs Lots of F-35s: Gen. Hostage on The 'Combat Cloud'". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  36. ↑ Majumdar, Dave; LaGrone, Sam (23 December 2013). "Navy: UCLASS Will be Stealthy and 'Tomcat Size'". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.

Writings on the subject

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  • Baker, David (2018). Fifth Generation Fighters. Mortons Media Group.
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