defence services - Air Marshal's Perspective

February 27, 2021September 27, 2021

THIRD GENERATION FIGHTER 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++.

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

February 26, 2021September 27, 2021

SECOND GENERATION FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

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.