A sixth-generation jet fighter is a conceptualized class of fighter aircraft design more advanced than the fifth-generation jet fighters that are currently in development.

We have seen full-scale models of these future Fighter Aircraft at the Paris Airshow 2019 last June.

France, Germany and Spain

The Future Combat Air System, or FCAS, is Dassaut’s first clean sheet fighter design in four decades, following the 1980s-era Rafale. The aircraft, which is being designed in collaboration with European aircraft giant Airbus, will fly for the first time in 2026.

FCAS appears to have a blended body-wing formation that increases the interior volume of the aircraft and allowing more room for internally stored fuel and weapons. FCAS also looks like it has a single set of low-angle stabilizers replacing traditional, separate horizontal and vertical stabilizers, making the aircraft even more stealthy.

United Kingdom

BAE Systems is working alongside the UK Government, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force and industry partners MBDA, Rolls-Royce and Leonardo to develop technologies to support the UK’s world-leading combat air capability today and into the future.

Details are vague on how the aircraft (Tempest) is intended to operate, its specific attributes and what type of aerial missions it will take on, the next-gen plane is expected to fly by 2035.

Turkey

Turkish Aerospace Industries unveiled its own next-generation fighter concept, saying the aircraft could be operational in roughly ten years’ time.

According to a promotional poster near the outdoor exhibit, Turkish Aerospace aims to develop the multirole fifth-gen fighter to be low-observable and have enhanced radar with increased sensor and data transfer. It will also have the ability to fly at near-Mach 2 speed and withstand a 9.0-plus G-force, the poster states.

The twin-engine, canted-vertical-tail fighter looks comparable to the F-35 in design, with a slightly narrower fuselage and a longer wingspan. TF-X is expected to replace the country’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet.

TF-X aircraft will be a multi-role aircraft, it will be designed mainly for air-to-air role with a consideration to air-to-surface roles as well. Upon engineering analysis, TF-X aircraft will be a multi-role aircraft, it will be designed mainly for air-to-air role with a consideration to air-to-surface roles as well. Upon engineering analysis, preliminary calculations, based on received information of suppliers of candidate engines, TF-X aircraft is decided to be a twin engine configuration.

Photos Rob Vogelaar