Global Race for Sixth-Generation Fighter Jets Heats Up

According to The Economist, multiple countries worldwide are accelerating the development of sixth-generation fighter jets. The UK, Italy, and Japan are jointly advancing the "Tempest" stealth fighter project, aiming for its maiden flight by 2035. Meanwhile, France, Germany, and Spain are leading the "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS), targeting deployment by 2040.

The arrival of sixth-generation fighters will redefine the rules of future aerial combat and profoundly reshape the global strategic landscape. This AI-driven military revolution ushers in a new era where machines autonomously think, adapt, and engage in warfare—far surpassing current human comprehension in complexity.

Defense News reports that first-generation jets like the U.S. F-86 Sabre emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, limited to subsonic speeds. Fourth-gen fighters like the F-18 Hornet remain NATO’s backbone today. Fifth-gen aircraft, exemplified by the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, revolutionized stealth, supersonic cruising, situational awareness, and advanced computing integration.

The most visible change in sixth-gen fighters is their size. Public data shows designs like the Tempest significantly exceed current fifth-gen jets in dimensions. This shift stems from modern air defense advancements: as missile systems grow smarter, stealth becomes paramount, requiring internal weapon bays and thus larger airframes.

Sixth-gen jets will excel in supersonic cruising, all-aspect stealth, and extended combat range. Compared to fifth-gen models, they must achieve qualitative leaps in payload, stealth efficiency, and endurance. For instance, the Tempest’s weapon capacity is projected to double that of the F-35.

At their core, sixth-gen fighters are "flying supercomputers." Reports indicate the Tempest can "absorb" data equivalent to a mid-sized city per second, sharing it in real-time via satellite links with land, sea, and air units, with AI-assisted tactical decision-making. Experts highlight AI integration as the hallmark of sixth-gen jets, boosting overall efficiency. This "cloud warfare" model could redefine aerial combat.