Category: Aircraft

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++.

Fourth generation jet fighters (1970 to late 1980s)

 

These fighters debuted in the mid-1970s and are still in use in most of the air forces of the world. This generation is the longest lasting of the five generations so far.

 

This generation fighter jets are mostly multirole aircraft with the ability to switch and swing roles between air-to-air and air-to-ground, as opposed to the previous role-dedicated aircraft. This in turn blurred the distinction between air defence and ground attack missions.

 

Fly-by-wire control systems improved the maneuverability of these aircraft at the expense of aerodynamic stability.

 

These aircraft introduced more efficient and powerful turbofan jet engines, allowing thrust-to-weight ratios of greater than one.

 

Use of composite materials in their construction revolutionized the stealth technology.

 

Electronics was the most essential part of these aircraft including ‘look-down’ doppler fire-control radars, integral and podded EO/IR targeting sensors, laser and GPS- guided precision weapons, active air-to-air missiles, heads-up displays, and improved electronic warfare systems.

 

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

 

• Grumman F-14 Tomcat
• McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
• General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
• McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
• McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-31
• Sukhoi Su-27
• Yakovlev Yak-38
• Panavia Tornado
• Dassault Mirage 2000
• Saab Viggen
• Mitsubishi F-2
• AIDC Ching-Kuo
• Chengdu J-10
• Hindustan LCA

 

Coming Up: Generation wise description (4.5 to 6th)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome

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.

 

• The major change brought about by this generation aircraft was that it was no longer necessary to visually acquire opponents to neutralize them.

 

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

• McDonnell Douglas F4H (F-4) Phantom II
• Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25
• Sukhoi Su-15
• Sukhoi Su-17/20/22
• Tupolev Tu-28P
• Yakovlev Yak-28
• British Aerospace Harrier
• Dassault Mirage F.1
• Dassault Super Etendard
• Shenyang J-8II

 

 

Coming Up: Generation wise description (4th to 6th)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome

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++.

 

Second generation jet fighters (mid-1950s to early 1960s)

• The second generation of fighter jets was a result of technological breakthroughs and experience gained during aerial warfare (mainly The Korean War of 1950-1953).

 

• The main features included higher speed (sustained transonic and supersonic dash capabilities), rudimentary fire control radar, and use of the guided air-to-air missiles.

 

 

• This generation’s fighters also incorporated advances in engine design (afterburners) and aerodynamics (swept wings), which allowed them to reach and sustain supersonic speeds in level flight.

 

 

• The second generation fighters saw the introduction of air-to-air radar, infrared and semi-active guided missiles, as well as radar warning receivers.

 

• During this period, although air-to-air combat was still within visual range, radar-guided missiles started to extend the engagement ranges and accuracy.

 

• The aircraft got divided according to the roles into Interceptors (e.g. MiG-21F, SU-9, F-106) and fighter-bombers (e.g. F-105, SU-7) providing air superiority and ground attack.

 

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

• North American F-100 Super Sabre
• McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
• Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
• Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
• Republic F-105 Thunderchief
• Convair F-106 Delta Dart
• Vought F8U (F-8) Crusader
• Grumman F11F (F-11) Tiger
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-19
• Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21
• Sukhoi Su-9 / Su-11
• Yakovlev Yak-25
• BAC Lightning
• de Havilland Sea Vixen
• Gloster Javelin
• Hawker Hunter
• Supermarine Scimitar
• Dassault Etendard
• Dassault Mirage III
• Saab Draken

Coming Up: Generation wise (3rd – 6th) description

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

 

Comments and value additions are most welcome