Let's take a look at the top 5 5th generation fighters today!
Given the recent rise in global tensions, some would argue that we are entering into
a new cold war era, and as a result a new arms race has kicked off.
This is evidenced by the almost prolific new weapons platforms that are being introduced,
and at the forefront of this is of course fighter plane development.
Today, the cutting edge of fighter plane design is represented by what is collectively known
as fifth generation fighters.
A fifth generation fighter can be defined as having some or all of the following characteristics:
developed mostly or exclusively in the 21st century, making extensive use of stealth,
the ability to super cruise, advanced avionics, sensor fusion allowing for networking with
other battlespace elements, and low probability of intercept radar or LPIR.
Today we will take a look at the Top 5th generation fighters in service along with some that may
be entering service soon.
Before we get started, make sure to take notes of the rankings you agree with as well as
the ones you don t and comment below.
Alright, let's get into it: Number 5 FC31
Coming in at Number 5 is the Chinese Shenyang FC-31, which is a mid sized multirole fighter
intended to be used on carriers as well as an export competitor to the Lockheed F-35.
The FC31 has two internal weapons bays capable of holding two medium range missiles in each
bay.
Additionally, there are hardpoints under the wings for non-stealthy missions.
Although still under development, here are some estimated specifications for the FC31:
Engines 2 WS-19 afterburning turbofans, producing 24,000lbf (110kN) each.
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 Combat range: 670 NMI (780MI, 1,250 KM) on
internal fuel
Armament 6 external hardpoints and an internal bay
with a total payload capacity of 18,000 LBS (8,000 KG)
The FC31 is capable of carrying both air to air and air to ground weapons, and when it
comes to sensors it is equipped with the KLJ-7A AESA Radar, a distributed aperture system
or DAS early warning system, and an electro optical targeting system or EOTS.
Developed by Shenyang, which is the oldest aircraft manufacturer in the People's Republic
of China, and also a subsidiary of the AVIC or Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
The FC31 is intended to be more than a match for existing fourth generation fighters such
as the F-16 and F-18, however most experts agree that the FC31 would not fare as well
against the F35 and F22, depending on the numbers deployed and the quality of its pilots.
The FC31 comes in at number 5 on this list as it is not yet fully in production, and
planned build numbers are not yet known, however it could move up on the list in the near future
as more capabilities are revealed and actual operational data is available.
One final note on the FC31, if it looks somewhat familiar, that may be because in 2009 the
Wall Street Journal reported that terabytes of secret information were stolen by hackers
from the databases of the Joint Strike Fighter program, better known as the F35.
Coming in at Number 4 is the F35
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a single engine, single seat, multirole stealth
fighter which is tasked with performing a variety of missions including strike, air
superiority, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare, and is intended to
operate until 2070.
The F35 is actually a family of aircraft that is produced in three main variants: The CTOL
or Conventional Takeoff and landing F-35a, the STOVL or short take off and vertical landing
F-35B, and the CV/CATOBAR or Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery F-35C.
For the purposes of this list we will focus on the F35A.
The F-35A is armed with the internal GAU-22/A 25 mm 4-barrel rotary cannon, with 180 rounds
of ammunition
Additionally, the F-35 has 4 internal stations in two weapons bays which are used to maintain
its stealth profile, and 6 external hardpoints, 3 under each wing that can be used for non-stealth
missions.
The internal stations can carry up to 5,700 pounds (2,600 kg) while the external stations
can hold up to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg ) Total weapons payload capacity is 18,000lbs
(8,200 kg)
The F35 can carry a diverse range of weapons including air to air, air to ground, and even
nuclear weapons.
When it comes to sensors, the F35 is equipped with the AN/APG-81, an actively electronically
scanned array or AESA radar.
An evolution of the F-22 s AN/APG-77 radar, the AN/APG-81 radar includes the air-to-air
modes found on the F22 along with advanced air-to-ground modes that utilize high resolution
mapping, the ability to track multiple ground moving targets, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The F35 also makes use of the Distributed Aperture System or DAS, which is a 360 degree
spherical situational awareness system.
Among other features, DAS provides detention and tracking of missiles, fire control, tracking
of friendly aircraft to enhance tactical maneuvering, and navigation assistance for both day and
night modes.
Additionally, the F35 also incorporates a sensor platform which provides both forward
looking infrared or FLIR and infrared search and track or IRST functionality, which is
known as an Electro Optical Targeting system or EOTS.
Unlike other fighters, the F35 does not have a heads up display or HUD.
Instead, the F35 s pilots make use of a helmet mounted display system or HMDS to view flight
and combat data at all times.
The HDMS also receives image data from the DAS and allows the pilot to effectively see
through the aircraft.
Additionally, the helmet allows for high angles of boresight target locking meaning that the
pilot can lock a target and fire a missile at another aircraft that is not oriented to
the F35 s nose.
The F-35 certainly has had unprecedented cost overruns and has taken longer to bring into
frontline service than anyone ever thought, however the program did have some lofty goals
and set out to not only be the best 5th generation air to everything platform, but to also be
made available to allies.
The reason why the F-35 is currently ranked at number 4 is due to the fact that it is
still working through some issues with its long planned Block 4 upgrade, which still
does not yet have a completion date.
Fixing the known issues with the F35 and bringing the existing aircraft up to block 4 standards
could see the F35 moving up this list.
Coming in at Number 3, The J20
The Chengdu J-20 also known as mighty dragon is a single seat, twin engine, stealth fighter
designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability.
Having made its maiden flight in 2011 and entering service in 2016, the J20 is one of
the newer fighters on this list.
The J20 is powered by two Saturn AL-31FM2 afterburning turbofans, each generating 33,000
LBF (145kN) of thrust with afterburner.
Capable of estimated speeds of over Mach 2, the J20 is a fast-moving stealthy threat designed
to strike at carrier battle groups or key strategic assets such as airborne tankers
such as the KC135 and early warning aircraft like the E-3 Sentry.
Capable of carrying the PL-15 Missile which has a 300km effective range and Mach 4 speeds,
the threat to these support aircraft is significant.
Additionally, a reported service ceiling of 66,000 feet and combat range of 1200 nautical
miles further add to this long-range strike capability.
The J20 has three internal weapons bays, a central main large bay and two smaller lateral
bays located behind the air inlets.
Furthermore, the J20 also has four external underwing hardpoints which can be used to
carry fuel tanks to extend its range or additional weapons for non-stealthy missions.
The J20 does not appear to have an internal gun, further emphasizing its apparent role
as a long-range standoff first strike attack aircraft.
Due to its use of canards, there are questions as to the J20 s stealthiness, this was given
some credence as in May of 2018 Indian Su-30s were able to detect Chinese J20s from several
kilometers away.
Still the exact stealth profile is not publicly known.
Regardless the J20 does appear to be a formidable platform, what keeps it from moving up this
list is the relatively low numbers: with between 20 and 50 examples having been built.
For the J20 to climb up this list, between 100 and 200 examples would be needed to maximize
its mission flexibility.
And finally, similar to the FC31, it is thought that the aforementioned Joint Strike Fighter
data breach was also used in the development of the J20.
Number 2 SU57
The newest fighter on this list, the Sukhoi Su-57, NATO reporting name Felon, is known
internally in Russia as the T-50.
With its maiden flight in 2010 and entering service in 2020 the Su-57 is Russia s first
stealth fighter and is intended to replace the successful MiG 29 and Su27 fighters.
Along with stealth characteristics, the Su57 can super cruise and is said to be supermaneuverable
with 3D thrust vectoring.
The Felon has 6 internal hardpoints along with 6 external ones for non-stealthy missions.
These hardpoints can mount a wide variety of air to air and air to ground missiles,
along with cluster bombs.
Additionally, the Su57 has an internal 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon which adds to mission
flexibility and provides a close range weapon option.
Interestingly, in keeping with Russian military doctrine, the Su57 s role is more of a counter
stealth aircraft rather than a first strike option.
The Su57 is forward optimized for stealth, indicating that it could be used to close
in with hostile stealth aircraft and then engage them at close range, where the Felon
s thrust vectoring could be used to negate any advantages an opposing stealth fighter
may have in close combat.
Additionally, Russia has shown intentions to adapt the new R-37M long range missile
to the SU57, which could make it a stealth sniper flying high and engaging support aircraft,
just like the J20.
Furthermore, the hypersonic Kh-47M2 missile could make the SU57 a deadly long range maritime
strike aircraft.
Despite its recent adoption by the Russian air force, The Su57 actually does have combat
experience.
In both 2018 and 2019 prototype Su57s performed combat operations in Syria, with reports of
all tasks being successfully fulfilled.
A formidable, new fighter, the Su57 comes in at number 2 on this list.
What keeps it from the top spot is its relatively low numbers, and by extension the lack of
pilots trained to fly the Felon.
Still, with increasing numbers and the possibility of export nations operating the Su57, the
Felon could be gunning for the top spot in a few years.
Honorable mentions
Before we get to the top spot, let s take a look at some honorable mentions that could
someday appear on this list:
Turkey is working with BAE Systems in developing the TAI TF-X, with a planned first flight
in 2026.
South Korea, and Indonesia are working on the KF-21 Boramae fighter which has its first
flight planned for 2022.
And India is working on the HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA which plans to start
production by 2027.
These fighters will no doubt make an impact for their respective nations and will be the
subject of upcoming videos.
In the meantime, lets take a look at the number one 5th Generation fighter in mid-2021:
The F22 Raptor
Widely considered the best air superiority fighter in the world, the Lockheed Martin
F-22 is a fifth generation, twin engine, single seat, all weather stealth tactical fighter
aircraft.
Developed from decades of air combat experience the F-22 excels in its one true mission: to
defeat any air adversary it encounters.
This is accomplished by the Raptor s incredible performance, advanced avionics, and stealth
profile.
Notable features include twin tails, a trapezoidal wing, and a golden canopy which is coated
with a thin layer of Indium Tin Oxide or ITO which acts like an EM shield to maintain stealth
characteristics.
Having been deployed since 2005, let s take a look at some specifications for the F-22
Raptor:
The F-22 Is armed with an internal 20 mm M61 A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, and typically carries
480 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, the F22 has 3 internal weapons bays and four external hardpoints.
To maintain it s stealth characteristics, the F22 can keep ordinance inside of its weapons
bays, briefly opening them to deploy munitions.
Loadouts can include both air to air and air to ground weapons.
The F22 s radar is the AN/APG-77 which is an Actively Electronically Scanned Array or
AESA radar.
Officially the radar has an operational range of 100 miles, but some speculate that this
could be as high as 150 miles, with an estimated 250-mile range for narrow beam search.
Defensively, the F22 uses the AN/AAR-56 advanced missile launch detector which warns the pilot
of a missile launch so that evasive maneuvers and countermeasures can be deployed.
Additionally, the F22 also has an AN/ALR-94 radar warning receiver, which warns the pilot
of radar emissions or tracking and is said to have a range of over 250 miles as well.
The F22 was the first and still is the best fifth generation fighter.
As of the recording of this video in mid-2021, the combination of operational examples, a
proven track record, and highly trained pilots firmly cement the Raptor in the Top spot.
However, recently the air force has indicated that the Raptors could be headed for early
retirement, as early as 2030.
Having its production run cut to less than 180 operational examples, the Raptors' days
are numbered.
There are reports of a new 6th generation fighter being tested by the Air Force, and
the Raptor could be put to pasture to make room for the newer fighter.
What do you think?
Are some of these fighters ranked too high?
Too low?
Let me know in the comments below.
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