Fifth-generation aircraft represent the most advanced and capable fighter aircraft to be developed and deployed by a national military. Currently, only the US, China and Russia possess fifth-generation fighters deployed within their militaries.

This article will explore these fighters a bit of their history and of course their capabilities. I will focus solely on fifth-generation aircraft that are currently in production and are still making their way into their respective militaries.

About Fifth-generation fighters

Fifth-generation fighter aircraft stand apart from previous generations due to their advanced stealth technology, advanced sensors and their compatibility to operate within a network-centric strategy and force, framework. As such, a fifth-generation fighter's sensors, computing and communication systems will allow it to gather exploit and transfer information at such a high level that it acts as a force multiplier for within its area of operations.

The Su-57 program was initiated in 1999...

Network-Centric Warfare refers to a military strategy that harnesses advanced information technologies in order to enhance the situational awareness and operational capabilities of a combat force.

This mode of warfare integrates various sensors and systems into a cohesive network which facilitates real-time communication and information sharing, ultimately increasing the lethality of the force or joint-force.

Fifth-generation fighters in production and deployment today

The Russian Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon”

The Su-57 is a twin engine multi-role aircraft, it was designed to succeed the Mig-29 and the Su-27. The Su-57 program was initiated in 1999 and, after repeated delays, the first models entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020.

It was expected that the Su-57 would have up to 150 aircraft by 2025; however, approximately 20 aircraft have been built at this point. This aircraft is expected to have a service life of up to 35 years.

The Su-57 is reportedly the first Russian aircraft to use stealth technology; it was designed to include a substantial amount of composite materials. This material represents 25% of the structural weight and almost 70% of the outer surface. Additionally, the Su-57 sports internal weapons bays, increasing its stealthy edge.

Basic specifications for the Su-57

Details provided by UltimateSpecs

In spite of its advancements, Rand Corporation's analysis of this aircraft’s 360-degree sensor suit states that the system remains incomplete. This is likely the result of international sanctions placed on Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine.

The J-20, while highly maneuverable, it is heavier than the F-35 and F-22, yet it possesses stealth characteristics...

In addition to this, the Su-57 lacks the sensor fusion of the F-35, which is arguably hard to measure up to, and the radar cross-section of the Su-57 is roughly the same as a fourth-generation fighter despite its improved stealth technology. This makes its radar cross-section 1000 times larger than an F-35.

This has led some experts to state that the Su-57 isn’t a true fifth-generation aircraft, but this all depends on who you ask.

The Chinese J-20 “Mighty Dragon”

The J-20 is China’s answer to US fifth-generation fighter aircraft and is a centerpiece of their military modernization program (combined with their impressive naval advancements). The J-20, developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corp, is a twin-engine, single seat, multi-role jet that had its first flight in 2011.

The J-20, while highly maneuverable, is heavier than the F-35 and F-22, yet it possesses stealth characteristics and an internal weapons bay. The J-20 is believed to have advanced avionics and sensors that provide enhanced situational awareness, advanced radar and tracking capability, and integrated electronic warfare systems.

Basic Specifications for the J-20

Details provided by Globalmilitary.net

However, it is difficult to verify the effectiveness of these systems as the J-20s performance capabilities are tightly guarded, and it has not been involved in any combat action to date.

In sum the Department of Defense is seeking to procure 2,456 F-35s and US allies are expected to purchase hundreds more.

Retired Gen. Hawk Carlisle, president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association and former commander of Air Combat Command, asserts that the J-20, based solely on the shape of its airframe, would be detected almost immediately by US fifth-generation aircraft.

He states:

“The J-20, in my estimation, would be dead long before it had the ability to maneuver against either the F-22 or the F-35,” he said. “It’s got enough spikes on it to where the radar returns on it are likely to be much more significant, which means that the F-22 and the F-35 can see it a lot farther away.”

Whether or not the J-20 measures up to American fifth-generation aircraft or not, Beijing is doubling down on their continued development, purchase and integration into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Currently, the PLAAF is operating approximately 195 J-20s, with many more to come.

The American F-35 Lightning II

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a strike fighter that first took flight in 2006. It is being produced in three variants: the F-35A for the Air Force, the F35B for the Marine Corps, and the F-35C for the Navy.

Desired fleet numbers by branch:

• Air Force: 1,763 F-35As, conventional takeoff and landing
• Marine Corps: 353 F-35Bs, short takeoff and vertical landing
• Navy: 273 F-35Cs, specifically designed to operate from an aircraft carrier

Details provided by the Congressional Research Service

Basic Specifications for the F-35

Details provided by the USAF

In sum, the Department of Defense is seeking to procure 2,456 F-35s and US allies are expected to purchase hundreds more. This will give the US and its allies a common aircraft, common tactical doctrine and a common logistics and spare parts system to support this aircraft, greatly increasing efficiency.

With its unique stealthy design, the F-35 has a radar cross-section...roughly the size of a golf ball.

The F-35's sensing capabilities

The advanced sensors onboard the F-35 enable this aircraft to act as an aerial node for the sensing, processing and sharing of critical, mission sensitive data across the force in a theater of operations.

According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 sensor suite includes the following

• AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar
• AN/ASQ-239 Electronic Warfare (EW)/Countermeasures (CM) system
• AN/AAQ-40 Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)
• AN/AAQ-37 Electro-Optical (EO) Distributed Aperture System (DAS)
• AN/ASQ-242 Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI) avionics suite.

These five sensors provide the F-35 with incredible object detection and measurements in the radio frequency and infrared spectrum. This sensing capability allows the F-35 to gather, process, and disseminate more information about the surrounding environment than has ever been available on a fighter aircraft.

Stealth

The F-35 utilizes smooth, blended surfaces as well as sawtooth edges in addition to sharp internal angles. These features are all designed to minimize radar reflection. Like the previously mentioned aircraft the weapons of the F-35 are stored internally, however it has the ability to mount weapons externally if need be.

With its unique stealthy design, the F-35 has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.0015 square meters, roughly the size of a golf ball. However, this pales in comparison to the F-22, which has an RCS of 0.0001~0.0002 square meters, or the size of a marble.

Fifth-generation aircraft competing for supremacy

Russia, China and the US all have their own variation of a fifth-generation aircraft, though it can be disputed if the Russian and Chinese aircraft truly constitute this designation, this is still debated.

What is not debated is that China and the US have the production capacity and funding to push their respective fifth-generation aircraft into mass-production. Presently, the US has the lead in this regard, the F-35 is already integrated into allied militaries, deployed globally, and the F-35 is combat tested.

What is interesting is that the Israel attack on Iran showcased the F-35's capabilities against a foreign state with capable air defenses. Israel entered Iranian airspace, destroyed sites related to their ballistic missile program, and destroyed air defenses and other targets, all without losing a single aircraft to Iran's Russian air defense systems. This could be seen as a green light to demonstrate to China the capabilities of US airpower by proxy, as China's air defenses are primarily copies of Russian systems. So, the Israeli attack could easily be seen as messaging to China.

Moving to the J-20, which has yet to see combat and has not been sold to a foreign customer, much about this aircraft is still unknown. Yet, China will produce this aircraft in such great quantities that it will be able to more effectively compete for control of regional airspace with respect to other air forces in the East Asia region.

For the foreseeable future, the F-35, F-22 and the J-20 will be competing for dominance in the skies over Asia as well as globally if China can begin exporting the J-20.