What are advantage of fifth generation aircraft?
Answers
Answered by
1
1. IT CAN BE CHEAPER
2. MODERN TECHNOLOGY ARE AVAILABLE
2. MODERN TECHNOLOGY ARE AVAILABLE
Answered by
0
Despite its common usage, the definition of fifth-generation is not clear and is contested but it can serve a political purpose as defence writer Giovanni de Briganti [pointed out](http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/feature/5/135080/f_35-reality-check-10-years-on-(part-1%29.html):
Politicians know next to nothing about defense, so being able to pepper their sentences with expressions like “the only fifth-generation aircraft” gives them instant credibility in the eyes of the trusting public, and leaves other politicos with no come-backs, especially if it is followed up with references to the moral obligation of “buying the best equipment for our military”.
One report says Lockheed Martin labelled the F-35 a “fifth-generation” fighter in 2005, borrowing the Russian term to describe the F-22 Raptor. Previously, and even up to 2009, the JSF was referred to as a new or next-generation aircraft.
As well as a political tool the term fifth-generation is also a powerful marketing tool, at least according to critics such as representatives from Eurofighter whose Typhoon fighter has lost many procurement battles with the JSF.
It is a distinct advantage for Lockheed Martin to define the characteristics of fifth-generation aircraft as it shapes the requirements for countries who may purchase it. In this way, the manufacturer produces suit the fifth-generation requirements of the countries who wish to buy them.
The marketing argument is implicitly supported by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, who used a critical definition of fifth generation aircraft:
Fighter jets that, according to manufacturers, incorporate the most modern technologies, such as stealth, advanced radar, and integrated avionics. There is no accepted or objective definition of fifth-generation capability.
The fourth-generation
Even defining fourth-generation aircraft as a starting point is difficult and the terms fourth-plus or 4.5 generation have been used to encompass fourth-generation aircraft with fifth-generation capabilities.
The JSF in still in production. Lockheed Martin
Generally, fourth-generation aircraft are those developed in the 1970s and 1980s, with more advanced radars and avionics (aerospace electronics), including fly-by-wire (computer interfaced) controls, improved manoeuvrability, and multi-role capabilities.
The US FY2010 Defense Authorization Act defined 4.5 generation as current aircraft, including the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, that have advanced capabilities, including active electronically scanned array radar, high capacity data-links and enhanced avionics, and have the ability to deploy current and reasonably foreseeable advanced armaments.
Currently, Australia has 71 fourth-generation F/A-18 Hornets, and 24 4.5 generation F/A-18F Super Hornets.
To examine the concept of fifth-generation aircraft, the definition provided by the US Congressional Research Service is useful, although it lacks precision:
Fifth-generation fighters combine new developments such as thrust vectoring, composite materials, supercruise (the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without using engine afterburners), stealth technology, advanced radar and sensors, and integrated avionics to greatly improve pilot situational awareness.
Many fourth-generation aircraft have some of these features but it is generally considered that for an aircraft to truly be fifth-generation it must include all of these characteristics.
For example, the American B-2 Spirit strategic bomber and F-117 Nighthawk strike fighter are both stealth aircraft but they are not fifth-generation aircraft as they lack advanced radars and other avionics.
Some reports say the JSF is “not technically a supercruising aircraft” but it can “maintain Mach 1.2 for a dash of 150 miles without using fuel-gulping afterburners”.
Only the short take-off and vertical landing version of the aircraft (the F-35B, which Australia is not acquiring) will have thrust vectoring, which can greatly improve manoeuvrability for dogfighting.
The JSF is less manoeuvrable than some fourth-generation aircraft, particularly the Russian Sukhoi fighters, but this deficiency is negated through stealth
Politicians know next to nothing about defense, so being able to pepper their sentences with expressions like “the only fifth-generation aircraft” gives them instant credibility in the eyes of the trusting public, and leaves other politicos with no come-backs, especially if it is followed up with references to the moral obligation of “buying the best equipment for our military”.
One report says Lockheed Martin labelled the F-35 a “fifth-generation” fighter in 2005, borrowing the Russian term to describe the F-22 Raptor. Previously, and even up to 2009, the JSF was referred to as a new or next-generation aircraft.
As well as a political tool the term fifth-generation is also a powerful marketing tool, at least according to critics such as representatives from Eurofighter whose Typhoon fighter has lost many procurement battles with the JSF.
It is a distinct advantage for Lockheed Martin to define the characteristics of fifth-generation aircraft as it shapes the requirements for countries who may purchase it. In this way, the manufacturer produces suit the fifth-generation requirements of the countries who wish to buy them.
The marketing argument is implicitly supported by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, who used a critical definition of fifth generation aircraft:
Fighter jets that, according to manufacturers, incorporate the most modern technologies, such as stealth, advanced radar, and integrated avionics. There is no accepted or objective definition of fifth-generation capability.
The fourth-generation
Even defining fourth-generation aircraft as a starting point is difficult and the terms fourth-plus or 4.5 generation have been used to encompass fourth-generation aircraft with fifth-generation capabilities.
The JSF in still in production. Lockheed Martin
Generally, fourth-generation aircraft are those developed in the 1970s and 1980s, with more advanced radars and avionics (aerospace electronics), including fly-by-wire (computer interfaced) controls, improved manoeuvrability, and multi-role capabilities.
The US FY2010 Defense Authorization Act defined 4.5 generation as current aircraft, including the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, that have advanced capabilities, including active electronically scanned array radar, high capacity data-links and enhanced avionics, and have the ability to deploy current and reasonably foreseeable advanced armaments.
Currently, Australia has 71 fourth-generation F/A-18 Hornets, and 24 4.5 generation F/A-18F Super Hornets.
To examine the concept of fifth-generation aircraft, the definition provided by the US Congressional Research Service is useful, although it lacks precision:
Fifth-generation fighters combine new developments such as thrust vectoring, composite materials, supercruise (the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without using engine afterburners), stealth technology, advanced radar and sensors, and integrated avionics to greatly improve pilot situational awareness.
Many fourth-generation aircraft have some of these features but it is generally considered that for an aircraft to truly be fifth-generation it must include all of these characteristics.
For example, the American B-2 Spirit strategic bomber and F-117 Nighthawk strike fighter are both stealth aircraft but they are not fifth-generation aircraft as they lack advanced radars and other avionics.
Some reports say the JSF is “not technically a supercruising aircraft” but it can “maintain Mach 1.2 for a dash of 150 miles without using fuel-gulping afterburners”.
Only the short take-off and vertical landing version of the aircraft (the F-35B, which Australia is not acquiring) will have thrust vectoring, which can greatly improve manoeuvrability for dogfighting.
The JSF is less manoeuvrable than some fourth-generation aircraft, particularly the Russian Sukhoi fighters, but this deficiency is negated through stealth
Similar questions