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Fighter Jet
News

Programme updates, technical analysis and operational reporting on the world's most advanced fighter aircraft — written for aviation professionals and enthusiasts alike.

AESA radar fighter jet avionics
Technology Featured

How Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Transforms Modern Air Combat

AESA radar represents the single most important avionics advancement of the fourth and fifth-generation fighter era. Unlike mechanically scanned arrays, AESA systems can instantaneously redirect their beam, perform simultaneous air and ground search, support electronic attack, and maintain low probability of intercept — all within a single mission.

Analysis · May 2025 · 8 min read Read Article
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F-35 Block 4 upgrade programme
Programme Update

F-35 Block 4 Upgrade: What Changes Across All Three Variants

The Block 4 software and hardware upgrade expands the F-35's weapons carriage, sensor fusion capability, and electronic warfare systems.

GCAP vs NGAD sixth generation fighter
Comparison

Sixth-Generation Fighter Jets: GCAP vs NGAD Design Philosophy Compared

Two programmes, two philosophies. The UK/Italy/Japan GCAP and the US NGAD take divergent approaches to defining the next generation of air dominance.

Fighter jet stealth radar cross section
Stealth

Radar Cross Section Explained: How Stealth Fighter Jets Evade Detection

A technical primer on the shaping techniques, materials, and system integration that enable fifth-generation aircraft to achieve low observable performance.

Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4
Programme Update

Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4: Enhanced Avionics and New Weapons Integration

The latest Typhoon standard introduces AESA radar in the E-Scan Mk1 configuration, ECRS Mk2 electronic attack capability, and integration of the SPEAR 3 missile.

Supercruise fighter jet technology
Technology

Supercruise Capability: Which Fighter Jets Can Sustain Supersonic Without Afterburner

Sustained supersonic flight in dry power is one of the defining characteristics of elite fighter aircraft. We examine which platforms can supercruise and why it matters.

F-22 Raptor production
Programme Update

Why F-22 Raptor Production Ended at 187 Aircraft — and What It Means Today

The decision to cap F-22 production at 187 aircraft remains one of the most debated in modern aviation procurement. We examine the strategic and budgetary factors involved.

Fifth generation fighter jet
Generations

What Makes a Fighter Jet Fifth Generation? The Complete Technical Breakdown

The definition of fifth-generation is frequently misunderstood. We break down each defining characteristic — stealth, sensor fusion, supercruise, and network integration.

F-16 vs MiG-29 Cold War comparison
Comparison

F-16 Fighting Falcon vs MiG-29 Fulcrum: The Cold War Lightweight Fighter Rivalry

Designed simultaneously by opposing superpowers for near-identical requirements, the F-16 and MiG-29 became the defining lightweight fighters of the Cold War era.

Loyal wingman UCAV fighter technology
Technology

Loyal Wingman UCAVs: How Unmanned Collaborators Are Changing Fighter Doctrine

Collaborative combat aircraft — unmanned jets operating in coordination with crewed fighters — represent the most significant doctrinal shift in fighter aviation since stealth.