Jet fighter generations

Richard P. Hallion

USAF historian Richard P. Hallion proposed a classification in 1990:

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 cannon and 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

In 2004 the website Aerospaceweb noted that classification by generations, "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 :

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

In 2009, Air Force Magazine also define fighter generations and proposed a sixth :

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

Jim Winchester

Jim Winchester, in a book published in 2011 by The Rosen Publishing Group, proposed the following definitions:

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 proposed a classification in 2012:

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

Comparing categorizations

The following table compares the various categorizations, by era and key feature.

The following table lists aircraft that have been categorized in multiple generations.