What is a third generation fighter and what are the fourth generation fighters?

The third-generation fighter is the main fighter that appeared after the sixties of the last century, and it is characterized by high flexibility in medium and low altitude maneuverability, equipped with advanced radar equipment, and strengthened missile application.

In the development of the first two generations, single-purpose interceptors and fighter-bombers have progressed to this point, benefiting from the progress of various systems, especially the functions and efficiency of radar and avionics, so that the third generation of fighters has begun to tend to a multi-mission, multi-purpose route. The fighters of this generation are mainly represented by F-4, F-5 and MiG-25. Due to the unification of the traditional classification of the Soviet Union and the classification of the United States after 2009, there are no two ways to classify fighters, and this standard is the only standard for third-generation fighters.

The emergence of third-generation fighters in the 1960s was a stage that incorporated the results of various experiments based on previously accumulated experience in use. Many phenomena and control problems in high-speed flight have been solved to a considerable extent, and wing designs with high sweep angles have been disfavored, and delta wings and geometrically variable wings with trapezoidal wings with sweep angles of less than 45 degrees have become the mainstream of design. The engine's output is enhanced by special materials and cooling technology that are resistant to high temperatures.

Radar and avionics have matured and become more complex, and nose air intakes have been almost completely abandoned to accommodate the need for large radar antennas, which has led to a rapid increase in the size and cost of aircraft.

The third-generation fighter used air-to-air missiles as one of the standard armaments, and was used in the Vietnam War, the Six-Day War, and the border conflict between India and Pakistan.

In the development of the first two generations, single-purpose interceptors and fighter-bombers have progressed to this point, benefiting from the progress of various systems, especially the functions and efficiency of radar and avionics, so that the third generation of fighters has begun to tend to a multi-mission, multi-purpose route. The fighters of this generation are mainly represented by F-4, F-5 and MiG-25.

Representative: People's Republic of China J-8

F14, F15, F16, F18, Su-27, MiG-29, Su-33, Su-35, J-10, J-11, J-15, J-16, Mirage-2000, Rafale, Typhoon. Remnant.

According to the Russian algebra, the Russian-made fourth-generation aircraft is equivalent to the third-generation aircraft of Western NATO, and the Russian-made fifth-generation aircraft is equivalent to the fourth-generation aircraft of Western NATO. The fourth generation has the American F-14 Tomcat, F-15A B Hawk, F-16A B Fighting Falcon, F-18A B Hornet, F117 Nighthawk; Russian MiG-25 Flying Fox, MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-31 Foxcatcher, Su-27 Flanker, Su-30 Flanker, Su-32 Sea Snake, Su-33 Sea Flanker; French Mirage 2000 series, Ultra Mirage 4000, Mirage F-1; international cooperation (British, German, Italian) jaguar; Swedish SAAB-37 Ray; Japanese F-1, F-2; Israeli lion cubs. The fourth and a half generations have American F-15E D F K and other models, of which the K type is exported to South Korea, and the F-16C D

Block52, F-18E F Super Hornet; Russian MiG-35, Su-34, Su-35 Super Flanker, Su-37; French Rafale M series; International cooperation European EF-2000 (jointly developed by Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, known as Typhoon in the UK); Swedish JAS-39 Gripen. Fifth-generation aircraft have the American F-22 Raptor, F-35 Thunderbolt; Russian Su-47 Golden Eagle, MiG, S-54.