Jet fighter generations

Jet fighters can be categorized in generations. The Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre Bulletin, while not endorsed by the RAAF, notes the term appeared in the 1990s to make sense of the leap-frogging improvements in performance to jet fighter aircraft brought about through major advances in aircraft design, avionics, and weapon systems and proposes that a generational shift in jet fighter aircraft occurs when a technological innovation cannot be incorporated into an existing aircraft through upgrades and retrofits.^[1]

Lockheed Martin has been using the terminology fifth-generation for its F-22 and F-35 aircraft, to imply their competition is unable to offer similar levels of performance, a classification debated by Eurofighter,^[2] and by Boeing IDS for the bid to replace Canadian Forces jets.^[3] Aviation Week's Bill Sweetman noted that Lockheed Martin labeled the F-35 a “fifth-generation” fighter in 2005, a term it borrowed from Russia in 2004 to describe the F-22, and proposes that the post–Cold War era, low-cost approach of the Saab Gripen should qualify it as a sixth generation jet.^[4] This marketing terminology made its way to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister statements when backing the Australian Defence Force choice.^[5]

Hallion classification

While not endorsed by the U.S. Air Force Air University, Richard P. Hallion proposed a classification in 1990 :^[6]

1. High subsonic (1943–50): little aerodynamic difference from the last generation of propeller-driven fighters. First- and second-generation turbojets; wood, fabric, and all-metal construction; optical gunsights; straight wing and straight tail. Mechanical control systems. Primitive ejection seats. Mach 0.75-0.85. Me 262, Gloster Meteor, P-80, DH Vampire, Yak-15, MiG-9, Saab 21R, F-84 Thunderjet, F9F Panther, Dassault Ouragan, DH Venom.
2. Transonic (1947–55): Second-generation turbojets; radar gunsights; swept wings; generally have adjustable horizontal stabilizers. Early hydromechanical flight control systems. Mach 0.90-1.05. F-86, F-84 Thunderstreak, F9F Cougar, MiG-15, MiG-17, Hawker Hunter, Dassault Mystère IV.
3. Early supersonic (1953–60): Swept wings, all-moving tails, radar gunsights, introduction of air-to-air missile armament. Third-generation turbojet engines. Early stability augmentation technology. Generally adaptable for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Mach 1.3. MiG-19, F-100, F-8.
4. Supersonic (limited purpose) (1955–70): Supersonic aerodynamics, especially area ruling; fourth-generation turbojets; radar for search and fire control. Overreliance on -air-to-air missiles based on unrealistic expectations. Mach 2.0. F-104, early model MiG-21, English Electric Lightning, early model Mirage III.
5. Supersonic (multirole) (1958–80): Refined supersonic aerodynamic design, including canards and variable geometry wings; fourth- and fifth-generation engines; stability augmentation; mixed-gun air-to-air missile (AAM) armament; terrain-following radar for low-level high-speed flight; radar search and fire control; infrared sensors; heads up displays (HUD); laser ranging and targeting; wide range of air-to-surface missiles, bombs, and rockets, including precision-guided munitions. Mach 1.4-2.5. F-105, F-4, late-model MiG-21, late-model Mirage III, F-5, F-111, Mirage V, Su-24, MiG-23, MiG-27, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage F1, Kfir.
6. Supersonic multirole, high efficiency (1974–present): Combined the characteristics of the fifth-generation fighters with advances in propulsion, radar (multiple target track-while-scan, look-down/shoot-down), sensor, and electronic flight control technology to generate highly maneuverable, highly agile aircraft that can be swing-roled for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Fifth- or sixth-generation gas-turbine engines; engine thrust-to-weight ratios in excess of one; ability to attain supersonic speeds without afterburning; sustained high-G flight, and controllability below 70 knots at angles of attack exceeding 70 degrees. High degree of energy efficiency. Mix of cannonand missile armament, coupled with diverse air-to-ground weaponry. Mach 1.8-2.5. F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, Mirage 2000, Panavia Tornado, MiG-29, Su-27.

Aerospaceweb Classification

In 2004 the self-published website Aerospaceweb noted that the classification usage appears to have first appeared in Russia during the mid-1990s when officials were planning a competitor to the American Joint Strike Fighter and proposed a classification :^[7]

• 1. 1945 to 1955, similar in capability to piston-engined fighter, thrust limited early jet engines, subsonic, rare radars, conventional armament (guns, bombs, rockets) : Me 262, F-86, MiG-15, etc.
• 2. 1955 to 1960, supersonic in level flight, radar, first air-to-air missiles : F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106, MiG-19, MiG-21, Gloster Javelin, Dassault Mirage III, Saab Draken
• 3. 1960 to 1970, multi-purpose fighter-bombers : F-4, F-5, F-8, MiG-23, MiG-25, Mig-27, Su-15, Su-17/20/22, British Aerospace Harrier, Mirage F1, Super Etendard, J-8II,Yak-38
• 4. 1970 to 1990, emphasizing maneuverability rather than speed : F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, AV-8B, MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27, Su-33,Yak-141 , Panavia Tornado, Mirage 2000, Viggen, Mitsubishi F-2, AIDC Ching-Kuo, Chengdu J-10, HAL LCA
• 4.5. 1990 to 2000, enhanced capabilities, advanced avionics, limited Stealth technology characteristics : F-18E/F, Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, Mig-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale
• 5. 2000-, advanced integrated avionics, low observable "stealth" techniques : F-22, F-35

Air Force Magazine classification

In 2009, Air Force Magazine tried to define fighter generations and proposed a sixth :^[8]

• 1. Jet propulsion : F-80, Me 262
• 2. Swept wings; range radar; infrared missiles : F-86, MiG-15
• 3. Supersonic, pulse radar, Beyond-visual-range missiles : Century Series, F-105, F-4, MiG-17, MiG-21
• 4. Pulse-doppler radar; high maneuverability; look-down/shoot-down missiles : F-15, F-16, Mirage 2000, MiG-29.
• 4+. High agility; sensor fusion; reduced radar signature : Eurofighter Typhoon, Su-30, F/A-18E/F, Rafale
• 4++. Active electronically scanned arrays; continued reduced signatures or “active” (waveform canceling) stealth technology, supercruise : Su-35, F-15SE
• 5. All-aspect stealth with internal weapons bays, extreme agility, full-sensor fusion, integrated avionics, some or full supercruise : F-22, F-35,
• 6: extreme stealth, morphing capability, smart skins, highly networked, extremely sensitive sensors, optionally manned, directed energy weapons.

The 5th generation was expanded to the PAK FA and the Chengdu J-20 by the self-published website The Aviationist^[9]

Winchester classification

In his book published in 2011 by the Rosen Publishing Group, Jim Winchester proposed a classification :^[10]

• 1. 1942–1950. from World War II to the Korean War, similar construction to their propeller driven fighter, 1st and 2nd generation turbojets : Me 262, Gloster Meteor, MiG 15, F-86
• 2. 1950–1965. onboard radar, infrared homing missiles
• 3. 1965–1975. look-down/shoot-down, RF air-to-air missiles, Terrain awareness and warning systems, Air-to-surface missiles with electro-optical guidance (e.g. AGM-65 Maverick), laser-guided bombs : F-4
• 4. 1975–2005. relaxed stability by fly-by-wire, digital computers, Active electronically scanned array, Infra-red search and track : F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18
• 4+, 4++. 1986- high capacity data-link
• 5. 2005–2025. minimized radar cross-section (chines instead of standard leading edge extensions or canards, internal weapon bays), composite materials, commercial off-the-shelf processors, consolidated view of the battlespace, low observable data links.

Air Power Development Centre Bulletin classification

The Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre Bulletin, while not endorsed by the RAAF, proposed a classification in 2012:^[1]

• 1. mid 1940s to mid 1950s. subsonic, no radars or self-protection countermeasures, unguided bombs and unguided rockets, no afterburners : F-86, MiG-15, MiG-17
• 2. mid-1950s to early 1960s. air-to-air radar, semi-active guided and infrared missiles, radar warning receivers, supersonic level flight : F-104, F-5, MiG-19, MiG-21
• 3. early 1960s to 1970. multi-role fighters, look-down/shoot-down, off-bore-sight targeting, Semi-active radar homing missiles, beyond visual range : MiG-23, F-4, Mirage III
• 4. 1970 to late 1980s. head-up displays, fly-by-wire, Swing-role fighters : MiG-29, Su-27, F/A-18, F-15, F-16, Mirage 2000
• 4.5. late 1980s into the 90s. (half generation from a reduction in military spending) stealth technology, Radar-absorbent materials, thrust vectoring, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, Network Warfare, multirole missions : F/A-18E/F, F-15SE, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale
• 5. 2005- stealth technology, multispectral sensors, networked : F-22, F-35, PAK FA, Chengdu J-20

Table

With era, most prominent feature, aircraft appearing in multiple classifications

Categorizations

References