What is a nth Generation fighter?

Hi there,

Could anyone tell me examples of 1st..5th? generation fighters and
other planes and what seperates them? (Apart from time)

Thanks!

Could anyone tell me examples of 1st..5th? generation fighters and
other planes and what seperates them? (Apart from time)


Good question, and one I asked an intel officer shortly after becoming mission
qualified in the BUFF. Here's the way he layed it out:

1st Generation (early jet fighter) - MiG-15,17,19 or F-84, F-86

2nd Generation (early supersonic)- MiG-21 or Century Series

3rd Generation (advanced supersonic) - MiG-23 or F-4

4th Generation ("next generation") - MiG-25, 29, 31, Su-27 or F-14,15,16

5th Generation (???) - MiG 1.42, Su-30 series or FA/22, F-35


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

Good question, and one I asked an intel officer shortly after becoming
mission
qualified in the BUFF. Here's the way he layed it out:

1st Generation (early jet fighter) - MiG-15,17,19 or F-84, F-86

2nd Generation (early supersonic)- MiG-21 or Century Series

3rd Generation (advanced supersonic) - MiG-23 or F-4

4th Generation ("next generation") - MiG-25, 29, 31, Su-27 or F-14,15,16

5th Generation (???) - MiG 1.42, Su-30 series or FA/22, F-35

Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation. Its
avionics and relatively primitive aerodynamics (I know, mach 2.8 - 3.2
primitive aero? Well, the X-2 was quite primitive too) don't match the 4th
Gen aircraft.

R / John

Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was considered the
same generation as the F-15?


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

"BUFDRVR" wrote in message
...
Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was
considered the
same generation as the F-15?

An earlier design. Much cruder in many respects (vacuum tube pulse radar).
Kind of the ultimate go-fast jet, when we thought go-fast was critical.
Designed as a B-70 killer and a design dead-end (no question the Eagle was
no dead-end).

The US jet I think of that most closely approximates it is the F-8U3 (lets
discount the F-103, F-108, and YF-12 .... stillborn concepts and all much
more sophisticated in aerodynamic concept). Very fast (mach 2.8 if they
solved canopy heating), relatively unsophisticated ... albeit large ...
radar. Of course, its maneuverability was quite good compared to its peers.
Good fuel fraction (range and endurance). Limited multi-role capability
(probably would have been great at recce), limited growth potential.

We bought the Phantom. Less performance in almost every key parameter, but
a far more capable multirole airplane that served in multiple capacities for
two decades (more?). The F-8 was a Corvette compared to the F-4 F-150 ...
but the old F-150 was, ultimately, a better all-around airplane.

R / John

BUFDRVR wrote:

Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was considered the
same generation as the F-15?

Nope - just a faster member of (and contemporary of)
the F-4 graduating class.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was considered
the
same generation as the F-15?

Nope - just a faster member of (and contemporary of)
the F-4 graduating class.


I would agree with that assessment. Mig-31 would be defintely 4th Gen though.


Ron
Pilot/Wildland Firefighter

Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was considered
the
same generation as the F-15?

Nope - just a faster member of (and contemporary of)
the F-4 graduating class.


Could I have confused it with the MiG-31?

Damn things look very familar....to me at least.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

On 14 Dec 2003 22:13:18 GMT, BUFDRVR wrote:
Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was considered the
same generation as the F-15?

Wasn't the F-15 designed as a counter to the MiG-25?

--
"It's easier to find people online who openly support the KKK than
people who openly support the RIAA" -- comment on Wikipedia
(Email: , but first subtract 275 and reverse
the last two letters).

"phil hunt" wrote in message
. ..
On 14 Dec 2003 22:13:18 GMT, BUFDRVR wrote:
Good reply, but I don't think I'd classify Mig-25 as 4th generation.

I may have catagorized that one incorrectly, but I though it was
considered the
same generation as the F-15?

Wasn't the F-15 designed as a counter to the MiG-25?

That was one of the justifications, since the true nature of the Mig-25 ("Go
really fast, but don't go to far, and avoid anything resembling a
dogfight"--understandable given that the Foxbat was designed with the high
altitude/high speed XB-70 threat in mind) was apparently not known at the
time. But I believe the experiences of the US forces during Vietnam, not to
mention Israeli forces during the '67 War and later War of Attrition, versus
more agile MiG products (like the -21) had more influence upon the F-15's
evolution.

Brooks


--