If the Eindecker and the DH2 were the 1st gen, the Fokker DVII and Snipe were the epitomy of 2nd gen. The 3rd gen can be said to be defined by the P-26 and Polikarpov I-16. That would make the 4th gen the Spitfire and Bf109 generation. Me 262, Meteor and P-80 would therefore define a fifth gen fighter would they not?

By my reckoning that makes Raptor, F-35 and Typhoon into 9th gen fighters. What point am I completely missing here?

Who defines a generation?

Generations are post WWII supersonic aircraft.

1. Early jets - Sabre, Mig-15 - eaarly subsonic jet engines
2. Supersonic ones - Mig-21, Super Sabre, F-100+ aircrafts.
3. Phantom, Mig-23, Mig-25 - interceptors, advanced misiles and sensors.
4. F-15, F-16, Sukhoi 27, MIg-29 - fighter generation, maneuvrability.
4.5 EF, Rafale, Su-37 - 4th gen with more advacned avionics.
5. F-22, JSF - stealth generation.

Do years define these generations?

actually i've always seen the F/A-22's, Rafale's, and EF-2000 defined as 4th gen fighters, while the JSF, Su-37, and Mig-35 (Mig 1.42) defined as 5th gen

Yes, the definitions I have read elsewhere, that I was querying with this post, make the MiG 15 and Hunter generation the 1st, the second gen including Lightning and F-4, third gen consisting of F-15 and Tornado and others of the time (up to about 1980). The ATF and EFA (obviously the Raptor and Typhoon of today) were described as being 4th gen projects when they were launched in the mid '80's.

I don't think tech defines a generation (ie that gen 4.5 guff) but rather chronology; ie in Britains case 1st gen (Hunter etc) replaced by 2nd gen (Lighning and F-4), replaced by 3rd gen (Tornado F3) with 4th gen coming along now (Typhoon) with 5th gen a few years down the line (JSF + ????)

I dopn't think the Raptor has jumped a generation, I think it is so advanced it transcends this form of categorisation.

Of course yes, it makes more sense when you say "5th gen jet fighter" instead of "5th gen fighter"

Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
Do years define these generations?

I think its more thechnology than years. Given the looooong development times of modern fighters that would fit better anyway. However, the post talking about the Raptor as being 4th gen does not fit. The Raptor is the poster child for 5th gen fighters. The Grippen is kind of like a 4.5 generation in its own right.

Originally posted by KKing123
actually i've always seen the F/A-22's, Rafale's, and EF-2000 defined as 4th gen fighters, while the JSF, Su-37, and Mig-35 (Mig 1.42) defined as 5th gen

The F-22 is the first 5th gen plane. It has the most advanced avionics and radar in the world, along with stealth akin to the B-2 Spirit bomber. It is the example of a 5th generation fighter.

The raptor is a 5th generation fighter so is the Euro Fighter. The JSF will also be a 5th generation fighter. Any other fighter coming after the JSF should be a 6th generation right? Or do you have to wait some more?

Originally posted by longbow
Generations are post WWII supersonic aircraft.

1. Early jets - Sabre, Mig-15 - eaarly subsonic jet engines
2. Supersonic ones - Mig-21, Super Sabre, F-100+ aircrafts.
3. Phantom, Mig-23, Mig-25 - interceptors, advanced misiles and sensors.
4. F-15, F-16, Sukhoi 27, MIg-29 - fighter generation, maneuvrability.
4.5 EF, Rafale, Su-37 - 4th gen with more advacned avionics.
5. F-22, JSF - stealth generation.

1. Early jets - Sabre, Mig-15 - eaarly subsonic jet engines
2. Supersonic ones - Mig-21, Super Sabre, F-100+ aircrafts.
3. Phantom, Mig-23, Mig-25 - interceptors, advanced misiles and sensors.
4. F-15, F-16, Sukhoi 27, MIg-29 - fighter generation, maneuvrability.
4.5 EF, Rafale, Su-37 - 4th gen with more advacned avionics.
5. F-22, JSF - stealth generation.
6. X-35/45, Tu-360/2000/AJAX
7. STARFIGHTERS, ANTIGRAVITY... etc.

these are my gen 6/7 definitions

[edit on 15-9-2004 by titus]