Considering previous wars and the threat of 3rd World War, many countries invested heavily in their military and air aviation. High speed fighter planes took multiple roles for the security of the country and air dominance. The later generation of fighter planes comprises of 4th, 4.5th and 5th generation of planes, which are described in the following context.
Forth generation of fighter planes (1970 to 1990):
Based on Korean War, Boyd’s combat and 1960’s research; fourth generation fighter planes were more sophisticated and armed with latest avionics and weapons. Recent theory by mathematician Christie Thomas and Colonel Boyd John on EM (Energy-Maneuverability), reflected in maintaining fighter planes specific energy which improved combat aircrafts. Instead of relying only on high speed as earlier generation, fourth generation fighter planes improved their speed transients, altitudes, speed variations and aircraft directions. The first plane developed in this generation using EM theory was F – 15 Eagle. Later F – 16 fighter planes used RSS (relaxed static stability), FLCS (flight control system) and FBW (fly by wire) technologies; which were introduced by the advancements in the computer field. In mid 1980’s, digital flight controlling system was replaced by analog avionic system, which soon became popular as ‘electric jet’.
Later, fire resistant radar was used along with graphite laminate skins and honeycomb aluminum structure to reduce aircraft’s weight. Some of the fighter planes developed using this technology are F-14 Tomcat Grumman, Phoenix AIM-54, Tornado ADV Panavia and MiG-31 Mikoyan; where guns and air to air missiles were primary armaments. Su – 27 and F – 15 were too expensive fighter planes and MIG – 29 and F – 16 were low cost fighter planes. Some of the fighter bomber planes of this generation are Mirage 2000 Dassault and Hornet Boeing F/A-18. Similarly, Grumman B-2 Northrop Spirit and Nighthawk Lockheed F-117 used low observable technique which could be difficult to trace by their enemy. Here is the list of fighter planes of this generation:
Fourth Generation Fighter Planes during 1970 to 1980 are:
F-15 Eagle, F-14 Tomcat, MiG-27 Flogger, F-5E Tiger II, SU-24 Fencer, Jaguar GR1, A-10 Thunderbolt, MiG-25 Foxbat, Alpha Jet, F-16 Falcon, Super Etandard, SU-25 Frogfoot, F-21 Kfir, JA37 Viggen, L-39 Albatros and BAe Hawk.
Fourth Generation Fighter Planes during 1980 to 1990 are:
F-18 Hornet, EF111 Raven, Mirage 2000, Panavia Tornado, MiG-29 Fulcrum, Mirage 4000, MiG-31 Foxhound, SU-27 Flanker, B-1B Lancer, F-117 NightHawk, AMX, Tupolev Tu-160 and F-20 Tigershark.
4.5th generation of fighter planes (1990 to 2000):
In 1991, when the Cold War settled down, many nations focused on world’s piece and they reduced their air and military expenses. Many projects in mid 1990’s were cancelled or delayed in order to slow down the research and development of fighter planes. At the same time there were lot of advancements in computer field, semiconductors and microchips; which helped the designers to redesign fourth generation fighter planes, hence fighter planes of this generation are called as 4.5th generation. Fighter planes of this generation considerably used advanced avionics, modern aerospace material, integrated weapons and modern systems. They used technologies such as GPS (Global Positioning System), BVR (beyond visual range), Helmet Mounted Sights, radars with solid phrase arrays, datalinks resistant jamming and improved security. Planes from this generation use airframes or theory based on fourth generation fighter planes. Some of them used fiber carbon composition such as Jas Saab 39 NG Gripen, Rafale Dassault and Typhoon Eurofighter. Most of the fourth generation planes use radars with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology. Some of the combat fighter planes of this generation are Rafale, Strike Eagle and Super Hornet. As these fighter planes use high end technology, they are mostly expensive and are still in production or use. Here is the list of fighter planes of this generation:
Fourth Generation Fighter Planes during 1990 to 2000 are:
Super Hornet FA-18E, Indigenous Defense Fighter Ching Kuo,YF 23, B-2 Spirit, Gripen JAS-39, Rafale, Yak-141 Freestyle and SU-35 Super Flanker.
Fifth generation of fighter planes (2000 onwards):
Fifth generation of fighter planes used cutting edge technology in their development and they use high bandwidth AESA multifunction radars system, infra red sensors to search and trace LPI (low probability interception), air to ground and air to air weapons. In 2005, Boeing F-22 Raptor/ Lockheed Martin were developed with glass cockpits and advanced avionics. Fifth generation of fighter planes are developed with improved security, Helmet mounted Sights (presently not in F - 22), LPI jamming resistant datalinks, improved visibility by data fusion, easing pilot by advanced situational awareness, VHSIC (very high speed integrated circuit) and data bus with high speed. While developing any fifth generation fighter plane, excessive care is taken in designing the internal structure and layout of the model. F – 22 and YF - 23 Northrop use radar absorbent paint and material, heat ablating tiles, thermoplastic materials and conformal sensors. United States has invested $140 million on 187 F – 22 fighter planes. Similarly, many countries have started projects on developing fifth generation of fighter planes such as Russia, India, China, Japan and many other countries. Russia is developing PAK – FA Sukhoi, which is estimated to be in service by 2012 and India has also entered in the joint venture of PAK – FA with Russia. India, China and Japan are also working individually on the fifth generation of fighter planes. Here is the list of fighter planes of this generation:
Fifth Generation Fighter Planes 2000 onwards are:
LCA, Raptor F/A-22, S-37 Berkut (SU-47), EuroFighter Typhoon 2000, Terminator SU-37, Aurora, 1.42 MFI MiG/MAPO, Fighter X-35 Joint Strike (Lightning II F-35), FC-1 Chengdu (JF-17 Thunder), Chengdu J-10, Osprey V-22, PAK-FA Sukhoi and Fulcrum-F Mig-35.
