First Generation
Jet propulsion
F-80
HE-162
Second Generation
Swept wings; range-only radar; infrared missiles
F-86
MIG-15
Third Generation
Supersonic speed; pulse radar; able to shoot at targets beyond visual range.
F-104
F-6
F-105
F-4
Fourth Generation
Pulse-doppler radar; high maneuverability; look-down, shoot-down missiles.
F-15
F-16
Mirage 2000
MIG-29
Fourth + Generation
High agility; sensor fusion; reduced signatures.
EF-2000
F-18E
Rafale
SU-30
Fourth ++ Generation
Active electronically scanned arrays; continued reduced signatures or some “active” (waveform canceling) stealth; some supercruise.
F-15SG
MIG-35
Fith Generation
All-aspect stealth with internal weapons, extreme agility, full-sensor fusion, integrated avionics, some or full supercruise.
F-22
J-20
PAK-FA
F-35
Sixth Generation
Extreme stealth; efficient in all flight regimes (subsonic to multi-Mach); possible “morphing” capability; smart skins; highly networked; extremely sensitive sensors; optionally manned; directed energy weapons.
1943-1950
High subsonic,conventional armament
Messerschmitt ME-262 Schwalbe Swallow.
De Havilland DH Vampire
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star
1953-1955
Transonic, air-to-air missiles, radar
North American F-86 Sabre
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (NATO reported name Fagot)
Hawker Hunter
1953-1960
Early supersonic, air-to-air missiles, radar
North American F-100 Super Sabre First of the Century Series of American jet fighters.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer).
1955-1970
Supersonic, Mach 2 air-to-air missiles only
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
English Eletric Lightning
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed).
Dassault Mirage III
1960-1970
Multi-purpose fighter-bombers
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (NATO reporting name Flogger).
Sukhoi Su-17 (NATO reporting name Fitter).
Shenyang J-8 (NATO reporting name Finback).
Dassault Mirage F1
Third Generation
Multi-Role Capabilities
1970-1980
Supersonic multirole
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Panavia Tornado
Saab 37 Viggen
Fourth Generation
Advance Technologies
The Fourth Generation Aircraft are a class of Jet Fighter aircraft in Service from 1980 to present.
1974-1990
Supersonic multirole, high efficiency, high manoeuvrability
Grumman F-14 Tomcat
Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum)
Dassault Mirage 2000
1990-2000
Enhanced capabilities, advanced avionics, limited stealth
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Sukhoi Su-30 (NATO reporting name Flanker C/G/H)
Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon (NATO reporting name Firebird).
Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000
2000-
Advanced integrated avionics, stealth
Dassault Rafale
Mikoyan MiG-35 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum-F).
Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name Flanker-E/M).
Shenyang J-16 Hidden Dragon (NATO reporting name Flanker-N).
2000-
Advanced integrated avionics, stealth
Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II A/B/C
Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon).
Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon (NATO reporting name Fagin).
4.5 Generation Fighter's
United States
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
France
Dassault Rafale
South Korean
KAI KF-21 Borame
4.5 Generation Fighter's
United States
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
France
Dassault Rafale
South Korean
KAI KF-21 Borame
Fifth-generation Fighter's
United States Air Force
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Navy Marine Corps.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
China
People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon
Russia
Russian Air Force
PAK FA, Sukhoi SU-57 (NATO reporting name Felon)
Sixth-generation Fighters
United States
Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) is the United States Air Force (USAF) sixth-generation air superiority initiative, a family of systems that is to succeed the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor.
F/A-XX Program is a development and acquistion program for a future sixth-generation Air Superiority Fighter to replace the United States Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
United Kingdom / Japan / Italy
Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) Tempest
BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Leonardo S.pA.
France / Germany / Spain
Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
Russia
Mikoyan PAK DP
China