#334: Fighter Jets

All you need to learn!

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F-16 Down? Did we use Rafale?

What's Tejas? Mig?🤔 Which jet is which generation?😅

MUST read this🧵to know all about Fighter Jets!

First, why's it important?

#UPSC asks direct questions here, brother.

Let's start generation by generation😉

1st Generation (1940s–1950s): ditched propellers for jet engines

• Look: Straight wings, simple metal bodies & no fancy tech

• eg: Me-262 (Germany), F-86 Sabre (USA), MiG-15 (Russia)

• Use: WW-II & Korean Car (loud & fast but not smart)

2nd Gen (1950s–1960s): Speed & Radios

• Look: Sleeker w/ basic radar (like car w/ radio & headlights)

• Function: Can break sound barrier (supersonic) & shoot missiles

• Eg: MiG-21 (Russia), F-104 Starfighter (USA), Mirage III (France)

3rd Gen (1960s–1970s): Multi-Tasker Muscle Jets

• New: Better engines & electronics

• Look: Bigger, far sighted radar & missiles that fire even w/o perfect aim (used in Vietnam war)

• eg: F-4 Phantom (USA), MiG-21 Bison (India) , MiG-23 (Russia)

4th Gen (1970s–1990s): High-Tech Hot Rods

• New: Fly-by-wire (computer steer and not just cables) & super agile!

• Look: screens & sensors

• Work: Long range missile, stealth tricks (quieter)

• eg: F-16 Falcon (USA), MiG-29 (Russia), Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe)

4.5 Gen (1990s to Present) : Enhanced Multirole Platforms

• New: Advanced avionics, AESA radars, sensor fusion & partial stealth, network centric warfare capability

• Look: Sleep aerodynamic designs w/ radar-absorbent materials, integrated electronic warfare suites for superior situational awareness

• eg: Super Hornet (United States), Dassault Rafale (France), Sukhoi Su-35S (Russia), HAL Tejas Mk 1A (India)

Critical in modern conflicts, including Middle Eastern and Eastern European operations, Operation Sindoor.

5th Generation (2000s–Now): Stealthy Smart Cars

• brainy computers + hard to spot on radar

• Look: Angular w/ weapons tucked inside (not hanging out)

• Task: Sneak in, hit target, share info w/ other planes (all without being seen)

• eg: F-22 Raptor (USA), F-35 Lightning II (USA), Su-57 (Russia), J-20 (China) , AMCA (in development by India)

India's arsenal

• 3rd: MiG-21 Bison , SEPECAT Jaguar

• 4th: MiG-29 Upgraded , Mirage 2000

• 4.5th: HAL Tejas Mk 1, Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI

Under Development

• 4.5th: HAL Tejas Mk 2

• 5th: AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)