Airpower Simplified: What is a 6th generation aircraft?

There are no exact definitions for generations of military jets; however, to qualify for a certain generation, an aircraft must have certain capabilities, e.g. LO (low observable) or stealth is a primary requirement of 5th gen aircraft. The 6th gen aircraft will incorporate all these technologies we have seen in the F-22, F-35, J-20 etc. and much more. Though it is a nebulous term, some of the characteristics of this generation are listed below.

1.    Advanced Stealth:

·       Improved geometry with no vertical surfaces and ceramic matrix-based RAM (Radar Absorbing Materials) instead of polymer composite based

·       Better composite materials that are lighter and stealthier

·       Further reduced IR signature and increased internal weapon load than 5th gen aircraft due to bigger size

2.    Advanced Avionics:

·       3D picture for operators through enhanced sensor fusion

·       Complete EO and integrated Distributed Aperture System (DAS)

·       More advanced than GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology for Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar

·       Virtual cockpit and touchscreen MFDs (multi-function display).

3.    Networking with Allies:

·       Cloud, WAN, C3, higher THz bandwidth for data/photo/video sharing

·       AI co-pilot for battle anticipation

·       Loyal wingmen buddy drones like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)

·       More photonics than electronics

·       Tightbeam communication: a highly directional, point-to-point data transmission method that concentrates its energy (typically via an optical laser) onto a specific, targeted receiver rather than broadcasting omnidirectionally like a standard radio wave

4.    Weapons:

·       It goes without saying that 6th gen will have everything a 5th gen aircraft already has, including standard armament.

·       With the advancement of directed energy weapon, we hope to see Laser (and may be Maser too) technology being incorporated in these aircraft along with air-to-air missiles.

5.    Engines: Variable cycle engines instead of standard turbo-fan jet engines for optimized performance throughout the flight envelope of speed and altitude.

Currently, China is leading with 2 designs and at least 5 prototypes of J-36 and J-50 in 6th generation aircraft. USA has its own F-47 NGAD under development, with recently another one for US Navy (F/A XX, awarded to Boeing). Europe has been sketching some designs like French-led FCAS and British GCAP which have other countries like Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan, but the reports about future of these projects are not very encouraging.