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1st gen
A common characteristic of this generation of fighter was that the jet engines did not have afterburners, and the aircraft operated in the subsonic regime. The first generation of jet fighters such as the F-86, MiG-15and MiG-17, had basic avionic systems with no radars or self-protection countermeasures. were armed with machine guns or cannons, as well as unguided bombs and rockets.
(“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”) -
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2nd gen
The second generation fighters saw the introduction of air-to-air radar, infrared and semi-active guided missiles, as well as radar warning receivers. This generation’s fighters also incorporated advances in engine design and aerodynamics, which allowed them to reach and sustain supersonic speeds in level flight. During this period, although air-to-air combat was still within visual range, radar-guided missiles started to extend engagement ranges.
(“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”) -
3rd generation
This generation witnessed improvements in manoeuvrability and significant enhancements to the avionic suites and weapon systems. Doppler radar supported a ‘lookdown/shoot-down’ capability, and with off-bore-sight targeting and semi-active guided radio frequency missiles like the AIM-7 Sparrow and AA-7 Apex, aerial engagements moved to beyond visual range. -
3rd gen
The major change brought about by this generation aircraft was that it was no longer necessary to visually acquire opponents to neutralise them and gain control of the air. (“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”) -
2nd gen end
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3rd gen end
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4th gen
Through the 1970s and 80s the trend of improvement in avionics such as head-up displays and optimised aerodynamic design continued Most of this generation of fighters had the ability to both switch and swing roles between air-to-air and air-to-ground, This in turn blurred the distinction between control of the air and strike missions.
(“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”) -
4th gen end
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4.5 gen
Advances in computer technology and data links also allowed 4.5 generation fighters to be integrated into a network centric battlespace where fighter aircraft have much greater scope to conduct multi-role missions. radar was a significant enough game-changing combat capability for these redesigned fighters to be deemed a generation of their own, hence the generation 4.5 rating.
(“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”) -
4.5 gen
The concept of having a half generation increment stemmed from a forced reduction in military spending, which resulted in a restriction in aircraft development. It became more cost-effective to add ‘stealth’, radar absorbent materials, thrust vector controlled engines, greater weapons carriage capacity and to extend the range of fourth generation fighters -
5th gen
The advances over earlier generational fighters include nose-to-tail low observable or stealth technologies as part of the aircraft’s design that make it almost impossible for even other generation five fighters to detect them improved situational awareness through having multi-spectral sensors located across all aspects of the airframe which allows the pilot to ‘look’ through the airframe of the aircraft without having to manoeuvre the fighter to obtain a 360 degree picture . -
5th gen extra
These aircraft are also ‘born’ networked which allows them to receive, share and store information to enhance the battlespace picture.
(“Five Generations of Jets | Fighterworld”)