BASICS OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat

against other aircraft, as opposed to bombers and attack aircraft, whose
main mission is to attack ground targets. The hallmarks of a fighter are its
speed, maneuverability, and small size relative to other combat aircraft.
Although helicopters are sometimes used in similar roles, the term fighter is
at present applied only to fixed-wing aircraft. A fighter's main purpose is to
establish air superiority over a battlefield.

The important specifications that need to be taken in consideration when

comparing fighter jets are the purpose that needs to be served. Before
dogfight, long range (weapon and radars) are needed to detect possible
enemy aircraft and if given the order, shoot before the enemy is in range to
attack, before any combat begins. Hence, fighter aircraft with stealth
technology is important in these situations. During dogfight speed, mobility
and ammunition capacity are very important. Also, when it comes to
mobility yaw, roll, ascent and descent capabilities and stability needs to be
taken into account. If a strike is required, then attackers and bombers
would be used, fighters would be there mostly to backup this bombers or
attackers in case other enemy fighters appear.

Basic Parts of a Fighter Aircraft

Nosecone - This structure is typically aerodynamic to promote streamlining

as the aircraft cuts through the air. Most modern combat-related aircraft
house a powerful radar system in the nose section. Older combat aircraft
had a cut-off nose which acted as the intake for the engine within the
fuselage. This is less common in modern warplanes.

Canopy - The canopy shields the pilot and cockpit from the outside
environment. Technology has allowed for the implementation of various
advancements to be added such as anti-icing and stealth coatings.

Cockpit - The manned nerve center of the aircraft where the pilot sits. This
section contains all applicable controls of the aircraft related to flying,
weapons and other systems. The avionics fit it tied into the cockpit as is a
life support (oxygen) system.

Wing Mainplane - These are the primary surface area structures on any
aircraft, holding a variety of smaller control surfaces needed for optimal
control of the aircraft. Some aircraft hold fuel stores in the wings ('wet wing)
and have hardpoints for carrying munitions (weapons).

Wing Leading Edge - This is the forend, or leading end, of the wing
mainplanes and sometimes contain the flap surfaces.

Wing Trailing Edge - This is the aft-end, or trailing end, of the wing
mainplane. This span usually contains the ailerons used for flight control
and may contain flap surfaces as well.

Wingtip - As their name suggests, these areas are the absolute ends of the
wing mainplanes.

Intake - This frontal open end of the engine compartment is used to

aspirate, or take in, air from the front of the aircraft.

Exhaust Port - This section of the engine compartment is used to jettison

exhaust gasses and thrust produced by the core engine system.

Empennage - The collective name given to the tail section of any aircraft.
Tail units vary in design but follow nearly the same doctrine. A true 'flying
wing' aircraft does not use a traditional tail unit as it is more of a blended
fuselage-wing design arrangement.

Vertical Tailfin/Rudder - This surface forms part of the tail unit and is used
by the airframe as a rudder.

Horizontal Tailplane - These surfaces (not always required in an aircraft

design) accompany the vertical tailfin and is used in controlling and
stabilizing the aircraft. Horizontal surfaces are sometimes fitted high on the
vertical tail fin or low on the fuselage sides. Some are also cranked
upwards or downwards depending on design.

Undercarriage - The undercarriage, or landing gear, are a collection of

wheeled legs (usually retractable into the airframe) and used for ground
actions such as taxiing, taking off and landing. Navy aircraft also typically
include an 'arrestor' hook for catching cables placed horizontally along the
deck of an aircraft carrier.

Types of fighter aircraft:

1st Generation: (mid-1940s to mid-1950s)

2nd Generation: (mid-1950s to early 1960s)

3rd Generation: (early 1960s to circa 1970)

4th Generation: (circa 1970 to mid-1990s)

4th + generation: (1990s to 2000

5th Generation: (2005 to the present) F22/Raptor (USA), F35 (USA),

SU57/PAK-FA(Russia), J20/CHENGDU (China)

6th Generation: under research and development stage