Best 4th Generation Fighter Jets
What is Fourth-Generation Fighter Jet?
Fourth-generation fighter jets is the specific class of fighter jets that are in service from the 1980s to the present. The design concept of the fourth generation jet is of the 1970s. The design concepts were based on the lessons learned from the previous generation fighter jets. These jets were upgraded with modern long-range air to air missiles, higher maneuverability, powerful engine, better Avionics due to advancements in the microcomputers of the 1980s, long-range operational capabilities, and more advanced radars e.g AESA(Active Electronically Scanned Array). These further provided basis for 4.5 and 5th generation fighter jets.
Following are some of the best 4th generation fighter jets;
10. F 16 Fighting Falcon
F 16 fighting falcon was originally developed by General Dynamics during 1976. It is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter primarily developed for United States Air Force. It can operate in all-weather operations. About 4600 units had been manufactured up to now. It holds the record of the most manufactured fighter jet. It operates in 25 Air forces of different countries. USAF have the most operational F16 which are 900 in numbers. Although USAF is not purchasing it anymore. But it is still manufactured in versions for export. In 1993, General Dynamic sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed Martin. Since then Lockheed Martin is manufacturing it. Its top speed is 2,414 km\h. Per unit cost is 28 million US Dollars.
9. F\A 18 Superhornet
F A 18 super hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, fighter jet. Originally designed by Mcdonnell Douglas and Northrop in 1974. It is the variant of the Northrop YF-17 of the 1970s. It is specially designed for the US Navy. It is capable of aircraft carrier landing. It was first introduced on 7 January, 1983 in the United States Marine Corps and on 1 July, 1984 in the United States Navy. Other Primary users of F A 18 are Canadian, Royal Australian, and Spanish Air Force. Per unit cost is 29 million US dollars. About 1400 units had been built. Its top speed is 1,915 km\h.
8. Chengdu J 10
Chengdu J 10 is a single-engine, lightweight, Delta wing, Canard design, all-weather operational, fly-by-wire control system, multirole fighter jet. It was produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for People Liberation Army Air Force. It is also known as Vigorous Dragon. It was introduced in 2006. 500 plus had been manufactured till now. Per unit cost is 28.7 million US dollars. Top speed is 2,327 km\h.
7. Saab JAS 39 Gripen
Gripen is a light, single-engine, delta wing canard design, multirole fighter. It is manufactured by Swedish Aerospace Agency Saab. It was introduced on 9 June 1996. It is considered one of the most advanced fourth-generation multirole fighter jet. It is highly maneuverable due to its lightweight. It's production started in 1987. 270 plus Gripens had been produced till now. Its primary users are Swedish, South African, Czech, Hungarian, and Brazilian Air Force. Per unit costs is 30-60 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,450 km\h.
6. Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, delta-canard wing, air superiority multirole fighter jet. It is manufactured by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo combined. Basically, it was designed to counter Russian jets especially SU 27 Flanker and SU 30 MKK. It is developed from British Aerospace EAP. It was first introduced on 4 August 2003. 570 Europfighters had been built till now. Primary users are Royal(UK), Spanish, German, Saudi, and Italian Air Force. Per unit cost is 105 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,495 km\h.
5. F 15 Strike Eagle
F15 strike eagle is powerful twin-engine, all-weather, air superiority multirole combat aircraft. It was designed by Mcdonnell Douglas(now part of Boeing). It became the part of USAF in 1976. It is one the most successful fighter jet with 104 victories and no loss. Majority of the victories by the Israeli Air Force. 1,198 units had been manufactured till now. It's primary users are US, Saudi, South Korean, and Israeli Air Force. Japanese Air force is operating its licensed variant Mitsubishi F15J. Per unit cost is 100 million US dollars. It is the world fastest fighter jet with top speed of 3,017 km\h.
4. Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, Delta Canard wing, multirole fighter jet. It is designed and built by a French company Dassualt Aviation. It is equipped with advanced wide range of weapons, Avionics, Radars, which make it capable of Air Supremacy, Air Interdiction, Aerial Reconnaissance, In Dept Strike Capability, Ground Support, Anti Ship Strike, and Nuclear Detterence missions. It was first introduced on 18 May, 2001. It's primary users are French Navy and Air Force, Egyptian, and Qatri Air Force. Beside this Indain Air Force have also ordered 36 Rafale. Per unit cost is 83 million US dollars. It's top speed is 1,389 km\h which is quite low as compared to other 4th generation fighter jets.
3. Mikoyan MIG 35
Mikoyan MIG 35 is a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet designed by famous Russian company Mikoyan. It is the devision of United Aircraft Corporation. Basically MIG 35 is the advanced variant of the MIG 29 Fulcrum. It's purpose is to replace the outdated MIG 29 Fulcrum. Experts includes it in a 4++ generation fighter jets. It was first introduced on 17 June, 2019. 8 MIG 35 have been manufactured. It's primary user is Russian Aerospace Forces. Although many countries are interested in purchasing it. Per unit cost is 50 million US dollars. It's top speed is 2,100 km\h.
2. Sukhoi 30 MKK
Sukhoi or SU 30 MKK is a twin-engine, heavy class, all-weather, air superiority, long-range, strike fighter. It is the improved variant of the SU 30. It was designed by the Russian aircraft company Sukhoi. It is the alternative of American F 15 Strike Eagle. It is also famous for its high maneuverability. It was first introduced in December 2000. About 200+ have been manufactured. It served in the Air Force of Russia, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, Indonesia, and Uganda. India is operating its licensed variant SU 30 MKI. Per unit cost is 53 million US dollars. It's top speed is 2,120 km\h.
1. Sukhoi 35 Flanker
Sukhoi or SU 35 Flanker is also a twin-engine, single-seat, super maneuverability fighter aircraft. It was designed by Sukhoi Design Bureau. It is the advanced variant of SU 27. Basically it is developed to replace the outdated SU 27. It was first introduced in 2014. 117 SU 35 have been manufactured. Primary users are Russian and Chinese Air Force. Indonesia is also interested in purchasing it. Per unit cost is 83 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,778 km\h.
Fourth-generation fighter jets is the specific class of fighter jets that are in service from the 1980s to the present. The design concept of the fourth generation jet is of the 1970s. The design concepts were based on the lessons learned from the previous generation fighter jets. These jets were upgraded with modern long-range air to air missiles, higher maneuverability, powerful engine, better Avionics due to advancements in the microcomputers of the 1980s, long-range operational capabilities, and more advanced radars e.g AESA(Active Electronically Scanned Array). These further provided basis for 4.5 and 5th generation fighter jets.
Following are some of the best 4th generation fighter jets;
10. F 16 Fighting Falcon
F 16 fighting falcon was originally developed by General Dynamics during 1976. It is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter primarily developed for United States Air Force. It can operate in all-weather operations. About 4600 units had been manufactured up to now. It holds the record of the most manufactured fighter jet. It operates in 25 Air forces of different countries. USAF have the most operational F16 which are 900 in numbers. Although USAF is not purchasing it anymore. But it is still manufactured in versions for export. In 1993, General Dynamic sold its aircraft manufacturing business to Lockheed Martin. Since then Lockheed Martin is manufacturing it. Its top speed is 2,414 km\h. Per unit cost is 28 million US Dollars.
9. F\A 18 Superhornet
F A 18 super hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, fighter jet. Originally designed by Mcdonnell Douglas and Northrop in 1974. It is the variant of the Northrop YF-17 of the 1970s. It is specially designed for the US Navy. It is capable of aircraft carrier landing. It was first introduced on 7 January, 1983 in the United States Marine Corps and on 1 July, 1984 in the United States Navy. Other Primary users of F A 18 are Canadian, Royal Australian, and Spanish Air Force. Per unit cost is 29 million US dollars. About 1400 units had been built. Its top speed is 1,915 km\h.
8. Chengdu J 10
Chengdu J 10 is a single-engine, lightweight, Delta wing, Canard design, all-weather operational, fly-by-wire control system, multirole fighter jet. It was produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation for People Liberation Army Air Force. It is also known as Vigorous Dragon. It was introduced in 2006. 500 plus had been manufactured till now. Per unit cost is 28.7 million US dollars. Top speed is 2,327 km\h.
7. Saab JAS 39 Gripen
Gripen is a light, single-engine, delta wing canard design, multirole fighter. It is manufactured by Swedish Aerospace Agency Saab. It was introduced on 9 June 1996. It is considered one of the most advanced fourth-generation multirole fighter jet. It is highly maneuverable due to its lightweight. It's production started in 1987. 270 plus Gripens had been produced till now. Its primary users are Swedish, South African, Czech, Hungarian, and Brazilian Air Force. Per unit costs is 30-60 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,450 km\h.
6. Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, delta-canard wing, air superiority multirole fighter jet. It is manufactured by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo combined. Basically, it was designed to counter Russian jets especially SU 27 Flanker and SU 30 MKK. It is developed from British Aerospace EAP. It was first introduced on 4 August 2003. 570 Europfighters had been built till now. Primary users are Royal(UK), Spanish, German, Saudi, and Italian Air Force. Per unit cost is 105 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,495 km\h.
5. F 15 Strike Eagle
F15 strike eagle is powerful twin-engine, all-weather, air superiority multirole combat aircraft. It was designed by Mcdonnell Douglas(now part of Boeing). It became the part of USAF in 1976. It is one the most successful fighter jet with 104 victories and no loss. Majority of the victories by the Israeli Air Force. 1,198 units had been manufactured till now. It's primary users are US, Saudi, South Korean, and Israeli Air Force. Japanese Air force is operating its licensed variant Mitsubishi F15J. Per unit cost is 100 million US dollars. It is the world fastest fighter jet with top speed of 3,017 km\h.
4. Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale is a twin-engine, Delta Canard wing, multirole fighter jet. It is designed and built by a French company Dassualt Aviation. It is equipped with advanced wide range of weapons, Avionics, Radars, which make it capable of Air Supremacy, Air Interdiction, Aerial Reconnaissance, In Dept Strike Capability, Ground Support, Anti Ship Strike, and Nuclear Detterence missions. It was first introduced on 18 May, 2001. It's primary users are French Navy and Air Force, Egyptian, and Qatri Air Force. Beside this Indain Air Force have also ordered 36 Rafale. Per unit cost is 83 million US dollars. It's top speed is 1,389 km\h which is quite low as compared to other 4th generation fighter jets.
3. Mikoyan MIG 35
Mikoyan MIG 35 is a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet designed by famous Russian company Mikoyan. It is the devision of United Aircraft Corporation. Basically MIG 35 is the advanced variant of the MIG 29 Fulcrum. It's purpose is to replace the outdated MIG 29 Fulcrum. Experts includes it in a 4++ generation fighter jets. It was first introduced on 17 June, 2019. 8 MIG 35 have been manufactured. It's primary user is Russian Aerospace Forces. Although many countries are interested in purchasing it. Per unit cost is 50 million US dollars. It's top speed is 2,100 km\h.
2. Sukhoi 30 MKK
Sukhoi or SU 30 MKK is a twin-engine, heavy class, all-weather, air superiority, long-range, strike fighter. It is the improved variant of the SU 30. It was designed by the Russian aircraft company Sukhoi. It is the alternative of American F 15 Strike Eagle. It is also famous for its high maneuverability. It was first introduced in December 2000. About 200+ have been manufactured. It served in the Air Force of Russia, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, Indonesia, and Uganda. India is operating its licensed variant SU 30 MKI. Per unit cost is 53 million US dollars. It's top speed is 2,120 km\h.
1. Sukhoi 35 Flanker
Sukhoi or SU 35 Flanker is also a twin-engine, single-seat, super maneuverability fighter aircraft. It was designed by Sukhoi Design Bureau. It is the advanced variant of SU 27. Basically it is developed to replace the outdated SU 27. It was first introduced in 2014. 117 SU 35 have been manufactured. Primary users are Russian and Chinese Air Force. Indonesia is also interested in purchasing it. Per unit cost is 83 million US dollars. Its top speed is 2,778 km\h.
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