I didn't forgot your presious .45super, I didn't know and didn't care.

I already waisted to much time and patience on you... enjoy talking to yourself.

To go back to the original topic. I think generational way of describing a plane might me useful historically but you will never ear a general say " I need a 5th generation plane to do this and a 4th to do that".

 

I also think it might be a bit early to describe what is the 5th generation. After all there is only one plane in this category so far. The F-22 might very well be described as a transitional step between 4th and 5th generation given that it doesn't do "sensor fusion" as well as the F-35.

 

I think it might be a very short lived generation too. The F-35 might be the last maned fighter to be developed.

 

Its just too early to write history. 

I also think it might be a bit early to describe what is the 5th generation. After all there is only one plane in this category so far. The F-22 might very well be described as a transitional step between 4th and 5th generation given that it doesn't do "sensor fusion" as well as the F-35.

That's exactly the issue a lot of people stumbling about. It's sensor fusion is not "as good" translates into something like transitional? Should we consider the F-15 as transitional as its avionics weren't as advanced as that of the F/A-18? The F-22 was the first, others can/should improve on that! You don't revise the generation labelling afterwards, that makes no sense!

You don't revise the generation labelling afterwards, that makes no sense!

Agree, that why I think we should not label plane as soon as they come out. The generational thing is for history books at best, marketing at worst.

Thinking about it, I think generation should be described into a shift in our vision of what a fighter should be. This definition make the incorporation previous generation that have been improved over time much more easyer. Like the super hornet, we could say its a 4th gen fighter with 5th gen improvement.

 

Dont say 4.5. that would be another way to try to say this is better than that. Note that if the PAK FA would be in fonction and the F-22 would not. I am sure that US would still have air dominance given how well all piece are combine into a single large combat system.