6th Generation fighter jets: Is the tech revolution approaching faster?
In the past few years, the term “5th Generation” fighter jet has become commonplace in popular culture. Everyone from casual television viewers to dedicated military analysts has heard of the advanced capabilities of these state-of-the-art warplanes. However, most people have only a vague understanding of what this means.
To further complicate matters, there are also other designations for fighter jets such as the 4th and 6th generation aircraft that are rarely discussed in general conversation but can still be quite important when discussing military technology and operations. Even with a general understanding of what each generation entails, it is often difficult to understand how they are different or why they matter so much. This article will provide an in-depth look at exactly what 5th generation fighter jets are, how they came to be, and why the 6th generation fighter jet may change the world.
A Short History of Fighter Jets
Modern fighter jets trace their roots back to the First World War when early versions of biplanes and monoplanes were used to engage in air-to-air combat. During the Second World War, air forces around the world began to use the first generation fighter jets, like the P-51 Mustang and the Spitfire, which were armed with machine guns, or cannons. The second generation fighter jets were followed by the third generation, which saw the introduction of the F-86 Sabre and the MiG-15 as the first fighters with guided missiles. Fourth-generation fighter jets emerged in the late 1970s with the F-16 and the MiG-29, fighter jets that were the first to feature fly-by-wire technology and sleek stealth designs. Fifth-generation fighter jets were first introduced in the 1990s with the F-22 and the F-35, the only fighter jets with stealth capability that can evade enemy sensors and have advanced avionics and radar systems.
For the past few years, fighter jets have dominated the media with stories of stealth capabilities and advanced technology. Unfortunately, most of these articles focus on the cost and its impact on the U.S. government only. But why is this so important? After all, how does a fighter jet help win wars? The answer lies in the American principles of peace through strength and strategic superiority. The United States military always tries to be ready to fight at any time against any potential adversary let’s explore why the 6th generation fighter jets can change the world.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet are the only operational fifth-generation fighters in service today. Both companies are working on their sixth generation fighters: The Skunk Works’ compact and efficient tailless twin-engine jet called the SRVL HL² (Highly Agile Compact Stealth Vanishing Act Hybrid) or Ghost.
The sixth-generation fighter, also known as the future fighter or final fighter, is being developed to succeed current fourth-generation fighters like the F-15 and F-22. The sixth generation will be an advanced technology stealth aircraft with more speed, range, and firepower. It will have artificial intelligence to operate more autonomously, sensors so it sees better, and communication so it can work more effectively with other aircraft.
the United State awarded contracts to 5 companies, worth $4.9 billion for the development of a prototype of adaptive engines. The companies are General Electric (GE) Aviation, Pratt & Whitney (P&W), Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The companies got a budget ceiling of $975 million and indefinite delivery with an indefinite quantity for a prototype of adaptive propulsion engines. The six-generation aircraft are expected to have high-energy laser weapon capabilities which can do serious damage to the enemy aircraft. These specifics were released by the US Air Force Research Laboratory in 2018 March. The 6th generation fighter jet of the US is also known as Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) or Penetrating Counter Air,
Adaptive Propulsion:
The conventional jet engines with turbofans like F135 and F-35 Joint strike fighter jets, F119 of the F-22 Raptor uses two airstreams in its engine, one flowing through the core of the engine and one flowing around the engine called ‘bypass air’. Adaptive propulsion introduces a third stream of air the concept which was used in commercial airlines and combining it with high-speed fighter engines. This third stream can be adjusted during the flight to give additional thrust for combat situations and give high fuel efficiency during the cruise. This can increase the range of the jet.
The United States is also looking to modernize the engines of a few fighter jets
?6th Gen Fighters Will Be Incredibly Advanced
The 6th generation fighter jets will be the most advanced fighters in the world. They will likely feature a combination of advanced technologies, including Stealth coating - This reduces the fighter’s radar signature and is critical for survivability in both offensive and defensive operations. Stealth enables the fighter to penetrate enemy air defences and target enemy sensors undetected. In terms of defensive operations, the stealth coating allows the fighter to avoid enemy radars and survive in a high-threat environment. Advanced engines The propulsion systems onboard the 6th generation fighter jets will likely be a combination of a traditional gas turbine engine and an advanced propulsion system, such as a hybrid electric engine. These new propulsion systems will be more fuel efficient and enable longer flight times. Advances in materials such as carbon fibre, 3D printing, and other advanced manufacturing technologies will enable these new propulsion systems to be lighter, more durable, and more powerful. Revolutionary changes can also be expected in the cockpits of fighter jets. Wearable cockpits where the information can be felt by the pilot, eye-tracking technology, and augmented reality are also on the drawing boards. It might include connected air warfare capabilities where a networked platform between fighter jets and drones will be added. The 6th generation fighter-jets are expected to be able to launch hypersonic missiles.
Why are 6th Gen Fighters Important?
The 6th generation fighter jets are critical to national security, as they will provide a substantial edge over their potential adversaries. While advanced fighters are not a new phenomenon, the United States has been focused on developing a new 6th-generation fighter with the necessary advanced technology to remain in the top tier of fighter jets for the next 50 years. The 6th generation fighter jets will be critical to maintaining air superiority, given the rapid development of new fighter jets in Russia and China. Both countries are also focused on developing their next-generation fighters, and the technological arms race that has been ongoing since the Cold War is likely to continue. If the United States is to maintain its status as the top military power in the world, it must make the necessary investments in new fighter jets and other advanced technologies.
Which 6th Gen Fighters will be Developed?
Several fighter jet manufacturers are currently involved in the 6th generation fighter jet program, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is currently working on the F-35 Lightning II, which is supposed to be the last manned fighter jet and will incorporate many of the technologies that would be needed in the 6th generation fighter jets. Boeing is currently working on the Advanced Super Hornet, which is a F/A-18 Super Hornet that has been fitted with new sensors and avionics. In terms of the 6th generation fighter jets, there have been no official announcements of the specific fighter jet manufacturers. However, there have been a few hints as to what they may look like. Specifically, the Air Force wants the 6th generation fighter jets to be stealthy, have long-range, be able to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, have an advanced radar, and have an open architecture system for pilot and maintenance crew interfaces.
What is the Development Roadmap for the 6th Gen Fighters?
The 6th generation fighter jet program has been in development since the early 2000s, with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the United States Navy jointly overseeing the research and development process. The initial research and development phase of the program spanned from 2002 to 2010, with the main objective being to identify the critical technology needs for the 6th-generation fighter jets. This phase concluded with an initial technology maturation and risk reduction (ITMRR) report, which found that the critical technologies included stealth, AESA radar, advanced materials, and advanced engines. The second phase of the 6th generation fighter jet program, which ran from 2011 to 2017, focused on identifying a possible design concept and technology maturation, to select a design concept after the phase. At the end of this phase, the AFRL and the Navy determined that a blended wing-body-tail design, referred to as the Blended Wing Body (BWB) design, provided the best overall value for meeting all of the 6th generation fighter jet requirements.
Currently, the most advanced 6th generation fighter project is the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), it is a French, German and Spanish project. This next-generation fighter (NGF) is focused on operating in a manned or unmanned formation with surveillance and attack drones(remote carriers). The airforce will be able to operate the FCAS from a safe stand-off distance as it will be connected by a combat cloud which will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Russia is working on MIG-41 or PAD-DP which will be a future interceptor that can achieve high altitudes and exceed Mach 4. This will be replacing MIG-31. The MIG-41 is expected to be equipped with an interceptor missile system that will provide the capability to intercept hypersonic missiles. This aircraft is also expected to be modified into an unmanned aircraft in future. Britain is also working on its 6th generation fighter project (BAE systems tempest), which is expected to enter the Royal Air Force (RAF) by 2035. The BAE systems, Rolls Royce, MBDA and Leonard are involved in the development of the aircraft. China is expected to get the aircraft J-20 and J-31 ready for operations by 2035, the 6th generation aircraft China developing will provide improved capabilities than these aircraft. The Indian Navy is also developing a 5th generation fighter jet with 6th generation characteristics in its HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),
The Importance of Having Superior Airpower
Throughout history having a strong air force is critical to almost every modern conflict. Therefore, the United States must maintain the ability to engage in air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. Most modern experts agree that the next war will be fought in the skies, and the nations must be prepared to meet any potential adversary that may challenge their air superiority. With the development of new generations of fighter jets, the United States will have the ability to maintain air superiority. Moreover, with the right tactics, the 6th generation fighter jets will give the United States a distinct advantage, as the advanced stealth and sensor technology will make it difficult for the enemy to detect and engage the American air force.
Pic Courtsey-Alamy.com
(The views expressed are those of thE author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
