Aircraft Generations Explained

This is how we differentiate between them in the USAF. I will say that this forum is the only place I have ever seen an F-15 or MiG-29 referred to as “3rd Generation” or Gripen as being the first of the 4th Generation. Anyway, this is the method I use, and it meshes nicely with most publications I’ve seen as well.

To classify an aircraft, find the generation which it matches up with the best. There will be some minor differences, such as the 1st-Gen F-86 being modded to use the AIM-9. 1st-Gen says guns only, so does that make the F-86 2nd Gen? No, because look at all the 2nd Gen characteristics. The best way to go is to look at the original specs of the aircraft. Any modifications just confuse the system no matter which you use.

1st Generation
-No AI Radar
-Guns only
-Crude avionics
-Think F-86 or MiG-15. (designed in the late 40s/early 50s)

2nd Generation
-Supersonic performance
-Range Only Radar
-Introduced AAMs
–Rear-aspect IR homing
–Some SARH models later on (think the R-3R SARH guided ATOLL, or the AIM-9C SARH guided AIM-9)
-Think MiG-19, F-104, MiG-21 (50s/early 60s)

3rd Generation
-Advances in radar technology
–Depressed angle capability
–All-aspect AAMs
–Limited look-down/shoot-down performance in some later aircraft
-ECM suites
-Think F-4, MiG-23, MiG-25 (60s/early 70s)

4th Generation
-Much more advanced avionics
–Fly by wire
–Look-down/shoot-down radar systems
–active-radar AAMs
–high off-boresight AAMs
-Much more effective BVR weapon systems
-Think MiG-29, Su-27, F-15, F-16, Mirage 2000, LCA

5th Generation
-Cost an assload of money 😀
-Stealth
-Advanced avionics and aerodynamics
-Thrust vectoring
-Think F-22, F-35

Now what about the Su-30MKI? SInce it is a modded 4th Gen aircraft, it is referred to as a 4+ Generation aircraft. It doesn’t quite rate the 5th Gen tag, but it is a greatly improved 4th Gen design.

Gripen? Also 4+. It isn’t a 5th Gen, but it is more advanced than most 4th Gen aircraft. A case could also be made for the Rafale and EF-2000 to be 5th Gen, but they are also 4+ Gen aircraft. Are they stealth aircraft? No, more like low-observable in some aspects. Vectored thrust? Nope. Advanced aerodynamics etc? Yes, definitely. However, not all that much more advanced from the 4th Gen to warrant a 5th Gen tag. 5th Gen is usually reserved for no-BS stealth aircraft like the F-22, the first real 5th Gen fighter. Take away the stealth and you would also have to add the Su-30MKI to the 5th Gen list probably.

Anyway that’s how I see it. Feel free to disagree if you must.