America's next stealth fighter will rule the skies
Truly, there is something so calming and life-affirming at the same time, how to look at flowing water, a burning fire, and how the US is working on another superplane. And here, indeed, the Americans can be envied in terms of purposefulness and self-confidence. The next plane will rule the sky! And who he will follow is not so important, what matters here is that the goals and objectives of the path are observed.
We agree that the American designers have come a long way. Lockheed F-117 "Nighthawk", Northrop B-2 "Spirit", F-22 "Raptor" - all of this flew to one degree or another and even fought with a certain degree of success.
But six years ago, in 2017, the thirty-year monopoly on stealth aircraft ended. The Chinese adopted the Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon" and the US advantage began to melt away.
"Mighty Dragon" is similar to the F-22 "Raptor", there is such a similarity. Americans still (not very reasonably) consider the F-22 the best fighter in the world, but this is a matter of personal taste, which simply makes no sense to dispute. More importantly, the production of the F-22 was stopped in 2011 after only 186 aircraft were produced. Today, less than 120 units are combat-ready. And with each passing day, the US F-22 fleet is approaching retirement, while China's J-20 fleet continues to grow.
Naturally, in order to keep up, work began on the next generation of aircraft in the United States.
Here, of course, it is worth asking the question, but due to what the new American fighter will “tear everyone”, as it is customary to say in our country. There did not seem to be any breakthroughs in armaments, the engines are also at about the same level.
American experts believe that the success of future developments in new aerodynamic models, the widespread use of artificial intelligence in both aircraft control and flight weapons, high-speed data processing for all surveillance systems and unmanned support vehicles that can operate in conjunction with the aircraft - this is the key to the future success of the American aviation.
In general, everything looks harmonious and logical.
Back in 2013, information was leaked that the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency began to work out some kind of "air dominance initiative."
Little more is known about the program today. Analysts believe the new aircraft, known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, will have powerful new engines, fly with drones, and have advanced sensors and radars that use machine learning and artificial intelligence to target enemy aircraft.
It's hard to tell how stealthy the new NGAD aircraft will be. The F-22 is already quite good with stealth, although we still honestly admit that it is still very far from the declared “almost not detected on enemy radars in most conditions”. But aircraft manufacturers continue to work in the field of stealth with several technologies. Here are surfaces with reflection and subsequent superposition of radar waves, and materials that can absorb up to 80 percent of radar waves. Stealth aircraft engines are designed to make less noise and give off a smaller heat signature, and their airborne radar and communications equipment emit electromagnetic frequencies that are harder to detect.
Stealth fighters can attack ground troops, perform reconnaissance missions, carry out covert reconnaissance operations, and even jam enemy radars. Their ability to perform these functions in enemy airspace with relative impunity makes them vital to any modern air force.
And here it is not at all surprising that the whole world is not going to stand still and wait. Work is underway not only in the United States and China, but also in Russia, Japan, and South Korea. Today, nine programs have been opened in the world to create a new generation of fighters, including NGAD. And at least some of these developments are developing capabilities that allow them to be characterized as a completely new generation - the sixth generation of fighters. When the time comes to crown a new dogfighting champion in the 21st century, the honor will almost certainly fall on one of the following programs.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. USA.
It is clear that the Raptor is on the list as the most (according to the Americans) stealth aircraft in the world today. But this is really the beginning of the journey, and by the time it comes time to seriously evaluate everything that will be invented in the world, the Raptor will safely take its place in stories world aviation.
The F-22 has one of the smallest RCS of any fighter aircraft, reportedly 0,0001 square meters. This, of course, is a myth, which, by the way, we will analyze, among others, in one of the next articles. In general, this figure for the Raptor is somewhere around 0,3-0,4, maybe less, but it will depend on several parameters.
In general, so much has been circled around the Raptor that the mind goes beyond reason, but everything is logical here: the plane turned out to be by no means the best in the world, and the fact that it is gradually being decommissioned speaks for itself best. That is why our Su-30 is not removed, despite the appearance of the Su-35? And the Raptor retired. The casket just opens with pliers.
Introduced in 2005 as the world's first fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 "Raptor" is slated to retire sometime in the 2030s. As the oldest aircraft on this list, it lacks the modern systems that its competitors have. But the $10,9 billion upgrade program will add stealthy external fuel tanks to increase its range, give it the ability to communicate with AI-enabled drones, and add infrared search and track (IRST) capabilities that allow it to target enemy fighters by their thermal signatures. This, the Air Force hopes, will keep the F-22's status as the world's most powerful fighter until it takes off into the sunset sometime in the next decade.
In general, everyone has long understood why the Raptor is such a cool plane: there simply can’t be a bad car into which so much money has been poured! Irony, of course.
Lockheed Martin F-35 "Lightning II". USA.
A distinctive feature is the most powerful computer system in the aircraft.
The F-35 is one of the most technologically advanced fighters ever to take to the skies. Its data processing capabilities, derived from numerous sensors on the aircraft, provide remarkable situational awareness. This system, according to the guys from Lockheed Martin, reduces the workload on pilots and allows pilots to have a tactical advantage in combat with any aircraft.
The powerful AN/APG-81 radar with F-35 AFAR can jam enemy radars while simultaneously identifying and targeting opponents (actually, it's more complicated). However, the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture Electro-Optical System (EODAS), which relies on omnidirectional infrared sensors located around the aircraft and which connects to the fighter's targeting system, allowing F-35 pilots to engage enemy fighters flying behind them, is a really good implementation. .
Electronically, the F-35 is really good, but it definitely lacks the sheer power of some of the other planes on this list. Of course, the Americans are hoping for a series of $15 billion upgrades that will ensure it remains one of the most powerful fighters in the skies for decades to come.
Familiar. To build just a wonderful plane, the best in the world, and then kill a few more billions to make it really the best.
Sukhoi Su-57. Russia
Distinguishing feature: unsurpassed maneuverability
The Americans believe that the Su-57 is first and foremost a very powerful aerobatic aircraft that poses a significant threat to any fourth-generation fighter it encounters, or any fifth-generation fighter it manages to get close to.
This is a fighter with an EPR larger than some stealth aircraft, from 0,1 to 1 sq.m. Despite this, the Su-57 is a difficult aircraft to attack with its 70 pounds of thrust and electronically scanned active radar. The Fighter also has an IRST capability that allows it to identify and target invisible enemies that don't show up on radar.
It is the only fifth generation fighter with 3D thrust vector control. Unlike the F-22 and some J-20s, which orient the thrust up and down, the Su-57 can orient the thrust in any direction. Therefore, the Su-57 can perform air maneuvers that other aircraft have not dreamed of.
The only thing that spoils the overall picture of this outstanding aerial hunter is the extremely slow release rate.
Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon". China
Distinctive Feature: Hundreds in production
The unique silhouette of the "Mighty Dragon" cannot be confused with any aircraft in the world. And this despite the fact that there were fierce accusations from the United States that Chinese intelligence had stolen both the design plans for the F-22, and the technical documentation for the MiG 1.44, and in general, they stole everything.
Given the pace at which the first 150 aircraft were produced, indeed, the production of modern fighters at such a pace would scare anyone.
The plane is interesting, first of all, for its misunderstandings with engines. The first copies were Russian AL-31FN. Articles were published in the media, according to which more advanced AL-20F-M31 engines were mounted on the J-2, but the information was not clearly confirmed.
Production aircraft are still equipped with the WS-10C engine, but a completely new engine with thrust vector control and a sawtooth nozzle to reduce visibility, the WS-15, is on the way.
But even without the WS-15 power plant, the Dragon poses a serious threat to most aircraft thanks to its 1475 type AFAR radar with 1856 transceiver modules. Plus, this aircraft has two side surveillance radars with AFAR. The most dangerous weapons are PL-15 air-to-air missiles with radar guidance. The missiles have their own airborne radar with AFAR for guidance after launch. In general, an ideal hunter, leaving no chance for such opponents as the F / A-18 "Super Hornet" and F-16 "Fighting Falcon".
Next generation air superiority fighter NGAD. USA.
Distinctive feature: flies with wingmen drones
The Next Generation Air Dominance fighter is a development work aimed at replacing the best in the world, but already completely outdated F-22 "Raptor". An NGAD may not necessarily resemble a traditional fighter. According to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service, the goal of the program is not just to create another fighter, but to develop a weapon capable of dominating the airspace. After the ROC is completed, the aircraft may look more like a B-21 stealth bomber than an F-22.
Based on renders released by Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, which are competing to develop the new aircraft, it looks like the aircraft could offer a significant increase in stealth over fifth-generation fighters, thanks to a combination of improved design and new composite materials that should provide greater electromagnetic absorption. The Congressional Research Service report also indicates that the NGAD fighter will have longer sensor ranges and longer range weapons.
In addition, unmanned systems will fly alongside each new NGAD fighter. These AI-enabled drones, known as Joint Combat Aircraft or CCAs, will be used to attack enemy targets. One way to use CCAs is as carriers of remotely controlled containers with guidance systems, electronic warfare modules or weapons.
Boeing F/A-XX... USA
Distinctive feature: naval aircraft with a combat radius of more than 700 miles
The F/A-XX is a development aircraft designed to be launched from aircraft carriers. (The crosses indicate that the aircraft has yet to receive an official designation) The stealth fighter will share modular internal systems with the Air Force NGAD fighter and, like this aircraft, will fly together with drones, which can extend the range of the radar and carry additional ammunition. These fighters are planned to replace the existing F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet in the 2030s.
Details on this sixth-generation fighter are scarce, but the Navy is pushing for a significant increase in speed and range over today's Super Hornet and F-35C, both of which have a combat radius of less than 700 miles. The Navy also wants the new fighter to carry larger and longer-range weapons. This would allow American aircraft carriers to attack enemy coastline defenses while staying out of range of modern hypersonic anti-ship missiles, which have a range of over 1000 miles.
Shenyang FC-31 "Gyrfalcon". China
Distinctive feature: China's first carrier-based stealth fighter
China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation unveiled the FC-31 prototype in 2014, and the aircraft bore a striking resemblance to the American F-35. As with the J-20, the US accused China of stealing intellectual property to build the FC-31. But unlike the F-35, which has only one engine, the FC-31 will carry two afterburner turbofan engines.
China is reportedly developing the FC-31 to serve as part of its aircraft carrier wings. China has released few details about the FC-31, but Chinese military aviation analyst Fu Qianshao said in an interview that its technical level is comparable to the US F-35C in terms of payload, combat radius, advanced avionics and excellent situational awareness capabilities. Fu also said that while the FC-31 is still a test aircraft, it will be tested aboard aircraft carriers later this year.
Wait a while.
BAE "Tempest". Great Britain
Distinctive feature: the most powerful radar ever placed in a fighter jet
Like the US NGAD and F/A-XX, the Tempes is a sixth-generation fighter that will replace the existing Eurofighter Typhoon by 2035. If it replaces.
In April, the UK Department of Defense gave BAE Systems $822 million to continue developing the Tempest, and the UK hopes to have a prototype up and running by 2027. The UK will work with Italy, Japan and Sweden to develop a new fighter.
According to BAE Systems, it will also fly alongside AI-enabled drones. Italian aerospace defense company Leonardo, which is developing a new radar for Tempest, claims the electronics can process as much data as the internet traffic of an entire average-sized city every second. The fighter will use a new generation electro-optical infrared system to aim weapons at the most secretive opponents.
Tempest designers strive to introduce many new technologies. One of the most intriguing is the virtual cockpit, which will project a digital display inside the pilot's helmet visor, helping him sort through the vast amounts of data coming from allied drones and fighter jets.
Here is a vision there, across the ocean.
What I would like to focus on is a very peculiar approach to assessments. The F-22 is the most-very-most, nothing can be better than it, only a new American aircraft. But the Raptor is already, in a sense, deeply retired due to the high cost of its existence and complete obsolescence.
In general, it is surprising how the Americans generally turn their tongues to call an obsolete and decommissioned aircraft the best in the world. There is absolutely no logic.
As for the successors, everything is more difficult with them, although the deadlines are more or less clearly marked. From seven years is not so much, but if you remember how much the same Raptor was brought to mind ...
And here I immediately really want to notice that Chinese planes are flying. And the "Criminal" Su-57, too, albeit in scanty quantities, is present in the sky.
Of course, when there are billions, there is always something to spend them on. The only question is how effective and meaningful.
Of course, sooner or later the American "wonder-litaks" will fly. There is no doubt about this, their entire industry is based on this. The only question is what will be in the skies of other countries at that time, and is it so easy for new American aircraft to become masters of the skies.
After all, it may well turn out, as with the Raptor. That is, in words and figures, the best in the world, but in reality ... But in reality, everything may turn out to be completely different from what was planned. And you know, this, perhaps, will even be fair, in my opinion.
Information