February 27, 2021 – Air Marshal's Perspective

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. The basic classification into five generations is widely accepted and recognized. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

Third generation jet fighters (early 1960s to 1970)

The Third generation of fighters were designed to be multirole fighters capable of performing both air defense and ground attack missions. They could carry a wide range of weapons and other ordnance such as air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs, while also able to engage in air-to-air interception beyond visual range.

These aircraft were capable of sustained supersonic flight, carried improved fire control radars and semi-active air-to-air missiles and the first generation of tactical electronic warfare systems.

The advent of more economical turbofan engines brought extended range and sortie times, increased thrust, better performance and maneuverability. Some designers even resorted to variable geometry or vectored thrust.

This generation witnessed signiﬁcant enhancements in the avionic suites and weapon The supporting avionics included pulse-doppler radar, off-sight targeting and terrain-warning systems. Doppler radar supported a ‘lookdown/shoot-down’ capability, and with oﬀ-bore-sight targeting and semi-active guided radio frequency missiles.