India, China, US or Russia: Who is the best?
After developing one of the best fighter jets across the globe, now the top countries have started working on the next generation aircrafts that is known as ‘Fifth Generation Fighter’ (FGF) in aviation’s dictionary. The introductions of high-end technologies like stealth, multiple combat efficiencies and best-in-class avionics for dog-fights (air-to-air combat) will be USP of the gen-next fighter machines.
The top nations like Russia, USA, Turkey, France are also working on such projects. However, India is the one of countries that is now focusing on two different FGF projects and expected to induct these planes by 2025 in the Indian Air Force. Many FGF are in phase of development that also includes USA’s Lockheed F-35 Lightning-II, Russian T-50 PAK-FA. Here are the FGF fighter projects and a glimpse of their technologies:
A model of HAL project on display
Let’s begin from the India’s indigenous FGF project that is Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It is a twin-engine, single-seat fifth-generation multirole fighter jet that will be loaded with the modern warfare technologies including the anti-radar stealth. The Defence Research and Development Organization scientists have started working on the project design.
The fighter plan has already taken its first test flight
China’s Shenyang J-31 which is also known as Gyrfalcon will be a mid-size, twin-engine fighter jet. The aircraft is being developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The plane is also known as Falcon Hawk or F-60 and J-21 Snowy Owl. The Chinese plane has already made its first flight three years back in October 31, 2012. Accompanied by J-11 fighters in the first shortie, the plane was in air for around ten-minutes with its landing gear down.
USA’s Lockheed F-35 Lightning II
The joint strike fighter is called as the future of the modern warfare
The Lockheed Martin is working on F-35 Lightning II that is also known as Joint Strike Fighter is USA’s fifth-generation fighter project. Unlike others, it will be a series of single-engine, single-seat stealth fighter jets. The F-35 family will have three models: F-35A for conventional take-off and landing, the F-35B for short take-off and vertical landing, and the F-35C for aircraft carriers.
India’s project number two for developing the fifth generation fighter jet
The HAL and Sukhoi Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) is another next generation project India is working jointly with Russia. The Indian project is called FGFA while the combined project is named as Perspective Multi-Role Fighter (PMF). These planes are expected to be inducted by 2022. However, the delay in the developments suggests further changes in the timelines of the project. These next-gen fighters will have technologies like advanced aviation sensors, upgraded and improved avionics apart from the best stealth technology.
Apart from what Russia is doing in technological collaboration with India’s HAL, the Sukhoi is working on PAK FA, country’s own twin-engine fighter aircraft. These aircrafts will be used by the Russian Air Force initially. It will be called Sukhoi T-50 that will be official successor of the MiG-29 and Su-27. The first flight was performed on January 29, 2010.
TFX is a next-gent aircraft being developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). It will be a single engine, single seat, Saab Gripen look alike and with the launch of this plane, Turkey will join the leagues of nations like Russia, China, Japan, India and the USA.
The USA has already inducted one of its Fifth Generation Aircraft project, F-22 Rapter into its fleet. According to experts, these aircrafts will be future of electronics war mechanism and new era of the technology.