
In order to minimize their radar cross-section (RCS), most fifth-generation fighters use chines instead of standard leading edge extensions and lack canards, though the Sukhoi T-50 has engine intake extensions that seem to function somewhat like canards and the Chengdu J-20 designers have chosen the agility enhancements of canards in spite of their poor stealth characteristics. Multirole capabilities, such as battlefield C 3 ( command, control and communications).Networked data fusion, enabling situation awareness on the battlefield.Advanced avionics, including low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR).prolonged supersonic cruise without the use of reheat. High maneuverability, which tends to include short-field capabilities.Stealth, with munitions stored internally.Whereas previous fourth-generation fighters emphasized maneuverability and close-range dogfighting, typical fifth generation characteristics include: Some generation counts include more than five leading up to the emerging new generation. The defining characteristics of such a fifth-generation fighter are not universally agreed and not every fifth-generation type necessarily has them all.

The emerging generation of advanced fighter aircraft in the first decades of the 21st century have come to be known as the fifth generation. 3 Comparison of existing fifth-generation fighters.Other national and international projects are in various stages of development. Īs of December 2020, the combat-ready fifth-generation fighters are the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, which entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in December 2005 the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which entered service with the USAF in July 2015 the Chengdu J-20, which entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in September 2017 and the Sukhoi Su-57, which entered service with the Russian Air Force on 25 December 2020. The characteristics of a fifth-generation fighter are not universally agreed and not every fifth-generation type necessarily has them all however, they typically include stealth, low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), agile airframes with supercruise performance, advanced avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the battlespace for situation awareness and C 3 ( command, control and communications) capabilities. As of 2022 these are the most advanced fighters in operation.

A fifth-generation fighter is a jet fighter aircraft classification which includes major technologies developed during the first part of the 21st century.
