FOURTH AND FIFTH GENERATION AVIATION EQUIPMENT: HISTORY AND DIRECTIONS OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article considers the processes of origin and development of tactical aviation of the fourth and fifth generations. The reasons that led to its emergence, characteristics and differences are highlighted. One of the reasons for the development of 4th generation fighters was the experience of using aircraft during the Korean War. A characteristic feature of aviation equipment that began to be developed after this war was the integration of various information and executive devices and systems on board the aircraft carrier in the onboard sighting and navigation complex. The latter began to include information sensors of various natures, such as stationary on-board radar stations capable of operating on both air and ground targets and optoelectronic stations. The latter from the beginning included laser rangefinders, and later - and full-fledged laser-television sighting systems.

The strengths and weaknesses of tactical fighters of different generations are considered, their comparative analysis is carried out. It is shown that the main players who set the tone among the aircraft design bureaus were representatives of only 2 countries: USSR and USA.

The authors conclude that the world's fifth-generation multi-role fighters are currently not fully meeting the needs of the Air Force due to incomplete compliance with tactical requirements and economic considerations. The directions of further development of the fourth generation aviation equipment, which has not exhausted its modernization potential and is able to meet modern requirements in the medium term, are determined. At the end of the article, proposals are made on possible directions for updating the tactical aircraft fleet of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.