Air Force - one of the largest familiesRussian troops. The technological superiority of aircraft is the most important criterion for the combat effectiveness of the Air Force. And because the armies of the foremost powers of the world - Russia, the USA, China - are striving in this regard to be one step ahead of the rest of the planet. And therefore they strive not only to arm their troops with modern and exemplary technology, but also to engage in promising developments. Including in the field of aviation.
Now in the depths of many of the world's designThe bureau is creating a 6th generation fighter. Machines "junior" ranks with might and main fly and produce. They managed to release and the Russians, and Americans, and, according to some sources, the Chinese. And because a key factor in the competitiveness of national armies of states will be the replenishment of the composition of the Air Force with a fighter generation higher. When to expect the appearance of such machines?
6th generation criteria
Собственно, исходя из каких критериев, новый fighter can be attributed to the 6th generation aircraft? Among the main ones that are called experts is flight autonomy. That is, the machine will not be controlled by a person, but by a computer — automatically or by remote interaction with people. However, there are experts in the field of aviation, who say that the 6th generation fighter can be manned. It is quite possible, experts say, that the latest-class machines will be produced in two technological implementations at the same time.
Есть версия, что американским авиаторам ближе unmanned concept, and the Russian, in turn, the one in which the aircraft will be operated by man. Designers from the United States, as noted in a number of sources, thus expect to give fighters an incredibly high resistance to overload, since the robot can withstand them without problems. The Russians, in turn, are inclined to believe that no computer is able to control the machine at the human level. However, among the aircraft designers from the Russian Federation, there are also quite a few supporters of unmanned concepts. True, as some experts note, in this respect Russian engineers are somewhat inferior to their Western colleagues. In confirmation of this, unsuccessful tests of the latest models of unmanned vehicles created in the Russian Federation are given. And therefore experts believe that the 6th generation fighter Russia will, with a certain probability, create on the basis of the concept where a man will fly the plane.
Among other important criteria promisingExperts also call machines extreme stealth. The current level of stealth technology ensures that aircraft are not 100% protected from air defense weapons. Moreover, if we take the most modern air defense missile systems, such as, for example, the Russian S-400, then the “stealth” at the existing level is hardly a hindrance to them. However, the 6th generation fighter, as experts expect, will be able to leave out of business even the most technologically advanced air defense systems due to stealth. By the way, the above-mentioned criterion can be supplemented by defenses against air defense systems (antimissiles, false targets, etc.).
The next criterion is disproportionately higher.fighter speed in comparison with previous generations of machines. If now the fastest military aircraft fly with an indicator of about 3 Mach, then 6th generation designs are expected to be able to overcome the threshold of 5. Cruising speed (without including afterburner) of the newest fighters, experts say, will definitely be supersonic. She can also gain much faster. It is possible that the cruising speed of the future fighters will be identical to today's afterburning speeds - 1.5-2 Mach. One of the likely characteristics of the engines that will be installed on ultra-fast fighters is a very high efficiency. Thanks to her, airplanes will be able to fly for a long time without refueling, and therefore carry patrols over large distances relative to their bases.
From the structural point of view of the machine 6generations, as experts believe, will be very ergonomic. It is possible that, for example, the wing will for the most part be built into the fuselage. There is a possibility, experts believe, that the fighters of the world belonging to the 6th generation will not be equipped with vertical tail. Perhaps the aircraft’s design will be based on the “flying wing” concept (similar to the futuristic-looking B-2, which is in service with the US Air Force).
What will the latest fighters look like? Photo, which below, can give us approximate guidelines.
6th generation machines are likely to besuper-maneuverable (including under the condition of flying at high speeds). For this purpose, all models will have engines with a deflected thrust vector. The plane should be easy to maneuver at angles of about 60 degrees. Why does the aircraft need such quality if near air battles are likely to be unlikely? The main point of view on this matter is that super-maneuverability allows fighters to move within the framework of the so-called "anti-missile" trajectories. That is, when approaching a striking head from the air defense missile system, the machine can abruptly go away. The anti-aircraft missile, thus, failing to calculate this maneuver, misses the target.
What else will be added to the newest fighters?It is quite possible to expect the appearance in them of a more perfect, in comparison with the existing, mechanism of interaction with ground objects. And not only land, but also sea, space, or even underwater. The best fighter in the newest generation, experts say, is the one that, above all, will be able to exchange tactical and strategic data faster than the rest with the command center and other aircraft, receive information from satellites. All this will allow the pilot to get ahead of the enemy in making key decisions that affect the success of the combat mission.
Also, most likely military fighters 6generations will be equipped with weapons with a much larger range of combat use than today's models allow. There is a version that it is at the expense of resources for hitting targets from a long distance, the machines will be able to withstand confrontation with the latest air defense systems. For example, it will be possible to launch a combat missile even before the radar of the anti-aircraft complex detects an aircraft. Probably, the newest machines will be equipped not only with rocket weapons, which are mainly used now, but also with laser systems. Moreover, of various purposes: both those intended for radio-electronic warfare (disabling enemy avionics), and those lasers that can hit targets themselves. It is possible that the weapon will also be electromagnetic. And those missiles that are supposed to be installed on machines of the 6th generation will fly at such a speed that the air defense systems simply cannot “keep up” with them.
Will there be the best fighter in the world?
Another interesting question.Some experts believe that it is unlikely that one of the aircraft designers will be able to create objectively the best fighter in the world. By the time the 6th generation machines will be put into operation, the level of technology in them is supposed to be about the same. Approximately this situation is now with fighter 5 generation. The Russian T-50 and the American F-22, in general, according to many experts, have a very similar potential and comparable level of technology. And this is despite the fact that fighters of the 3rd and 4th generation, produced in the Russian Federation (and before that - in the Soviet Union), in some cases, as many experts believe, were a head taller than their American counterparts and vice versa. Regarding the 6th generation, then, as experts believe, even if some planes lead, say, in speed, there is no guarantee that they will not yield to other competitors in other components (for example, in maneuverability). A very important factor will be the support of machines from the other branches of the armed forces - space, air defense, navy, and in certain tasks also ground forces.
Does Russia need a 6th generation airplane?
Among aviation experts there is an opinionthat the 6th generation fighter is not needed by modern armies, including the Russian. Confirmation provides two main types of arguments. According to the first of them, the air defense systems will develop more intensively than the winged vehicles. And therefore it is completely inappropriate, experts believe, to create a fleet of new and, most likely, incredibly expensive fighters, since they are likely to be shot down during battles.
Another argument is construction technology.modern military aircraft, in principle, have reached such a level that to make a machine that would be really stronger is problematic. Russian T-50s, American F-22 fighters, and also, probably, the 5th generation Chinese airplanes already preparing for production, in principle, are sufficiently technological to meet the needs of armies for decades to come, experts say. In particular, such a parameter as a deflected thrust vector, which is expected to be mandatory for 6th generation airplanes, is present on many modern machines. And that very maneuverability, which we talked about above, is present even on some 4th generation fighters. Not to mention the modern T-50 and F-22. In addition, the cruising speed of both aircraft, as some experts believe, may well reach supersonic values.
Ahead of their time
There is a version that current fighter modelsdesigned to serve for 50 years. This is indirectly confirmed by the fact that even the previous 4th generation airplanes, developed in the mid-60s, have been successfully serving in the armies of the leading military powers of the world so far. Their basic characteristics — fighter speed, weaponry, maneuverability — are fully answered, according to experts, to modern tasks. These include, in particular, such cars as the Russian Su-30, the American F-14.
There is also the view that even some aircraft4th generation can quite successfully compete in some components with promising developments. In particular, some experts rank among such fighters of Russia - the Su-35, MiG-29 in the latest modifications. In addition, existing machines (both 4 and 5 generations) have, as many experts believe, a tremendous potential for modernization. And because many of the functions from among those expected in promising aircraft, it is possible to “screw” to the samples of the previous generation of fighters.
When will new cars appear?
Когда же появятся самолеты нового класса?Experts predict that test tests of such machines are possible within the next 10 years, the launch into production is real for 20. There is a version that the 6th generation fighter will be built by Americans. This is facilitated primarily by the colossal military budget of the United States, which is several times greater than that which is at the disposal of Russia and China, even if they are summed up. Also, the United States has an enviable technological potential, according to many experts.
Although, as some experts note, not allAmericans are so positive. In particular, many experts criticize existing advanced developments from the USA - the same F-22, as well as the promising F-35 (which, by the way, does not belong to the 5th generation, which can indirectly confirm the lack of interest of designers in going out to level 6).
Existing prototypes: American concepts
What are the prototype machines of the 6th generation? What does the best fighter in the world of the newest class supposed to be?
Some experts consider the project as such.F / A-XX, developed by Boeing. It is assumed that this will be a deck fighter for the US Navy, which can be used in a wide range of combat missions. The prototype machine was presented to the world by Boeing engineers back in 2008. The design feature of the aircraft is that it does not have vertical tail, while almost all modern fighters have it. Photos of unusual F / A XX below.
The wings of the apparatus, as experts note, are similar tothose are the elements of the F-22. In the cockpit of a promising aircraft, based on the presented layout, there are two places for pilots. The first, as experts believe, will control the fighter, and the second - to direct unmanned aerial vehicles included in the armament kit. At the same time, many experts were embarrassed by the large declared weight of the car - 45 tons. However, there is an opinion on this matter - a more powerful engine can be installed on a heavy case, thereby increasing the overall thrust-to-weight ratio of the device. The engine, which, perhaps, will stand on the F / A-XX - the same one that is installed on the F-35. Which again confirms the fact that many of today's technologies already meet the criteria of the 6th generation. The expected launch of F / A-XX in production - mid 2020s.
Спустя несколько лет после первого показа F/A-XX publicly, Boeing introduced the world to an updated version of its 6th generation machine concept. According to the project, the aircraft is supposed to be produced just the same in two technological versions - unmanned and the one where the person will operate the device. It is assumed that the aircraft will be able to replace the fourth-generation fighter type F-18 in the coming decades.
Boeing Corporation, meanwhile, has another6th generation fighter concept. This is an F-X machine. It is intended not for the Navy, but specifically for the US Air Force. It is assumed that this aircraft will replace the F-22. The main advantage of the car is called a very high speed.
Известно, что другой американский авиагигант - Lockheed Martin - also prepared his concept. True, there are very few facts about this promising aircraft from this company. There is, perhaps, only information that the car will be produced according to the integrated aerodynamic concept.
Americans, according to some experts, haveapproximate guidelines for the timing of the introduction of 6th generation fighters in service. As much as the US is willing to wait until the end of the 2030s. In turn, the Americans plan to re-equip the army within 20 years after the launch of the aircraft into mass production.
Airplane from Europe
Among the notable European prototype aircraft6 generations - the development of the concern Dassault nEUROn. True, everything that the engineers of this company can boast of so far is a good UAV created using stealth technology. He was shown to the world in 2012. However, those engineering developments that were implemented in it, experts believe, can become the basis for creating a full-fledged 6th generation machine.
Chinese project
At the moment, aircraft designers from China5 generation fighters are refining. We are talking about aircraft J-20 and J-31. So far, experts say, Chinese engineers will not be greatly distracted by promising developments, but there are facts confirming some interest of designers from the PRC in creating a 6th generation machine. As well as Europeans, engineers from the PRC created a high-tech drone, which was named Lijian, which is characterized by low visibility for radar. Based on this development, experts say, a promising jet fighter may well be constructed. It is possible that to some extent it will meet the criteria of the 6th generation.
Japanese prototype
Designers from Japan, as reported in a numberSources also deal with the creation of the fighter of the newest class. It is believed that the basis for the machine will be an experimental aircraft ATD-X. There is a version that the 6th generation Japanese fighter will be built in conjunction with designers from the United States. Experts call the ATD-X car a model that may well become the basis for the implementation of the most advanced technologies of the future. Including the development of the 6th generation fighter.
Russian concept
How are things in the domestic designschool? Is there any chance that a 6th generation Russian fighter will soon appear? It is only known that the military leadership of the country has plans to create such a machine. There is some information that the company Sukhoi is developing in this direction. True, little is yet known about the possible timeframe for the start of the development and launch of such an aircraft in production. Today, all the resources of domestic developers are thrown onto other fighters of Russia - the T-50, belonging to the 5th generation, as well as to the modernization of vehicles belonging to older models. But among experts there is a version that it is the T-50 that can become the basis for the creation of the 6th generation aircraft.
Above, we have already said that Russian designersThey can start building a promising vehicle both on an unmanned basis and on the basis of technologies that involve participation in the control of a person’s aircraft. If the first option is chosen as a priority, then the Skat-type device created by the MiG Design Bureau can be used as a base for developments. The technologies used in it, experts believe, may well help to ensure that the 6th generation Russian fighter appears in the foreseeable future.
At the same time in the media there are reports that the firstThe prototype of the 6th generation machine, created by engineers from the Russian Federation, will appear in the next 10-12 years. Most likely, the United Aircraft Building Corporation will do this. At the same time, it is noted that Russian aircraft designers have a chance to overtake the United States, which planned to create an aircraft of a similar class for the 2030s. At the same time, as experts note, engineers from the Russian Federation have not yet decided on the exact concept of a promising fighter, believing that its development is a matter more scientific than design.
