The US operates the F-22 and F-35 …. China operates the J-31 and J-20….and Russia flies its Su-57
The US operates the F-22 and F-35 …. China operates the J-31 and J-20….and Russia flies its Su-57 …. Which one of these is the best? Who else has stealth? The global stealth equation today is even more complex given that the US, Russia, China, Japan and a European team are all now building a new generation of stealth with 6th-generation fighters as well.
How do the best efforts to engineer stealth fighter jet platforms compare to one another and, in terms of performance, how will countries new to stealth construction and engineering compare?
Stealth effectiveness is certainly not something easy to replicate, as many of the variables require complex engineering and a blend of technologies such as radar absorbent materials, thermal management systems, seamless, blended wing-body configurations less likely to generate a return signature and specific buried engine technologies.
Who else has stealth? Very interesting to observe that several countries may now be joining the small group of stealth-capable militaries such as Japan, South Korea, Iran and India.
Japan Mitsubishi F-X
An interesting write up in Aero Corner says Japan plans to unveil a prototype new 6th-generation stealth fighter platform in 2024 called the Mitsubishi F-X. The write up says the F-X, nicknamed Godzilla, will have X-2 (previous japanese stealth fighter) capabilities and carry more missiles than the F-35. Released images or renderings of the F-X resemble interesting F-22-like flat, rounded fuselage configurations and dual-engine exhaust structures. The Japanese aircraft, however, has an even more blended wing-body flat-like fuselage which looks both smooth and very horizontal in an apparent effort to reduce radar signature or cross section. Large scale production of the F-X is slated for 2031, and the new aircraft will ultimately replace the existing Japanese Mitsubisih F-2. It would make sense if the Mitsubishi F-X resembled the F-22 to a certain extent given that it came to exist in concept in the late 1990s when it was decided that the US would not export the F-22.
