Fighter jets are the mainstay of every air force, constituting the single most definitive statement of military capability that any country can make. In 2024, the race toward aerial dominance is on, while advanced fighter jets bring forth cutting-edge technology, agility, and firepower at the forefront. They are not only machines of war but marvels of engineering to combine multiple roles with unmatched efficiency.
Even though many countries still fly older models, which are more cost-effective, the most advanced military forces in the world are always developing new models to maintain their lead over any possible opponents in the future. With advanced engines, sophisticated radar systems, and complex weaponry, advanced fighter jets become versatile and formidable machines in many combat.
The rest come from Russia, Sukhoi Su-30, Su-35, and Su-37. At the heart of each of these aircraft is a further development of the celebrated Su-27 platform, giving 4.5 generation capability. Of these, the Su-35S is remarkable for its advanced electronic content and thrust-vectoring engine nozzles for added maneuverability.
The other major Euro fighter is the Eurofighter Typhoon, a joint European project. This Typhoon comes equipped with probably the most recent Tranche 4 variant of the jet and features state-of-the-art electronic and weapons systems that make it one of the most advanced 4th generation jets—it can be found at the core of many powerful air forces in Europe and the Middle East.
Developed in parallel with the Typhoon, the French Dassault Rafale then took a different route to fulfill certain PSC requirements elaborated by the French. The latest variant of Rafale, the F3, has quite advanced weapons systems and sensors; further improvements are expected with the future Rafale 4.
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is the latest variant of the venerable F-15 Eagle, and it is still competent. With the F-15EX turning 52 years old in 2024, having new radar, refreshed avionics, and the latest weapons installed means it is not going anywhere anytime soon.
The Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon is the would-be Chinese answer and is close to entering service. It’s on track to become the country’s newest carrier-based jet. Its capabilities are unknown, but recent upgrades point to a quantum leap in progress.
The Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon is this country’s first stealth aircraft, riddled with problems in its development, due to a more powerful new engine, and several upgrades to boost its performance and stealth features.
The KAI KF-21 Boramae is a formidable power joint-developed with Indonesia. Touted to be one of the game-changer aircraft, equipped with stealth capabilities and state-of-the-art radar, this aircraft fast tracks its way to the very top rank of 5th-generation fighter jets.
The United States F-22 Raptor was the world’s first 5th generation fighter-bomber and still holds a benchmark over air-to-air combat. Its thrust-vectoring engines, coupled with advanced weapon systems, secure an edge in dogfighting and beyond-visual-range engagements. The continuous process of upgrading the F-22 makes it one of the most advanced aircraft flying anywhere in the world.
The Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon is a Chinese stealth fighter rolled out in 2017 to fight against the F-22 and Su-57. It does not have a TVC engine, but with design features of stealth and potential improvisations in the pipeline, it is going to pose a serious challenge to air war threats.
The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II represents the epitome of the fifth-generation fighter development in the United States, with unmatched characteristics in terms of its stealth features, sensor fusion, and advanced radar systems. It is a very versatile aircraft that has three different variants to suit different operational requirements.
Avionics: the Su-57 is far behind the F-35 and F-22. The radars installed on the American jets, APG-77v1 and APG-81, are much superior to the N036 radar of the Su-57. They have greater bandwidth, resistance to jamming, and resolution. For example, there is no system like the F-35’s DAS system in the Su-57.
On the other hand, the F-22 and the F-35 are equally good in the realm of electronic warfare. Their radars powerfully broadcast across widebands, enabling them to provide escort-jamming support for legacy aircraft. By way of contrast, the Su-57 EW suite is principally for self-protection and lacks the sophistication of its American counterparts.
Now, the big difference, though, is sensor fusion capabilities with the F-22 and F-35. These jets are capable of pumping out enormous amounts of sensor data, producing second-to-none situational awareness. The Su-57 represents a good development on Russia’s part, but it still lags far behind in this category.
In the end, fighter jets in 2024 are the epitome of military aviation technologies. From the F-35 to the Su-57, each aircraft has been created by an absolute commitment to aerial superiority through its residence at the epicenter of speed, invisibility, and firepower.