The Next Version of Stealth Aircraft: the '6th Generation Fighter'

Northeast Asian Countries Now Enter 6th Generation Fighter Jet Development Era
At Least 15 Years of Fighter Jet Power Imbalance Among Neighboring Countries

Russia aims to complete the development of the 6th generation fighter jet known as the MiG-41 by 2035.

Boeing aims to develop a 6th-generation fighter jet by 2030.

Japan plans to start producing prototype aircraft in 2024 and transition to mass production around 2031.

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] The development of 6th-generation fighter jets among neighboring countries around South Korea is becoming a fierce competition. First, Japan plans to start producing 6th-generation fighter jets from 2031, while Russia and China aim to complete the development of their 6th-generation fighter jets around 2030 to 2035. Additionally, the United States, which is also a neighboring country in military and diplomatic terms, aims to produce its first 6th-generation fighter jet by 2030.

▲The 2030s: Northeast Asia Enters the Era of 6th-Generation Fighter Jets= First, the United States, recognizing the threat posed by the deployment of 5th-generation fighter jets by China and Russia, is focusing on developing 6th-generation fighter jets through the new “National Defense Strategy” announced in 2018.

Currently, the Air Force and Navy are each developing 6th-generation fighter jets under the “Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)” program. The Air Force, which is the core of air power, aims to produce small quantities of multiple models within a short period. This is to secure air dominance ahead of China and Russia. To achieve this, rather than developing new technologies, the plan is to apply the latest available technologies and produce the first 6th-generation fighter jet by 2030.

Russia aims to complete the development of its 6th-generation fighter jet, known as the MiG-41, by 2035. In particular, to develop a 6th-generation fighter jet superior to those of the United States and Europe, Russia plans to maximize development capabilities by selecting MiG and Sukhoi, both experienced in fighter jet development, as joint developers. Like the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Russia is expected to develop an air-to-air fighter capable of long-range flight, which will replace the currently operated MiG-31 fighter jet after development.

China, which has been investing significantly in enhancing its air power, has already started developing its 6th-generation fighter jet with a goal to complete development by 2035. Although information is limited, in January last year, the chief designer of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) mentioned that the new fighter jet will feature improved stealth performance compared to 5th-generation fighters, including aerodynamic design, autonomous adjustment engines, lasers, and hypersonic weapons.

Japan, which has maintained air superiority in the Northeast Asian region, is also accelerating the development of its 6th-generation fighter jet. According to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Defense, the next-generation fighter development schedule includes deciding on conceptual design and basic cooperation frameworks with overseas partners within this year, followed by full-scale development starting next year. Prototype production will begin in 2024, transitioning to mass production around 2031, and deployment to frontline units is planned from 2035. Previously, Japan developed the X-2 demonstrator to test stealth, flight control, propulsion technologies, and other necessary technologies for 6th-generation fighter development.

The U.S. announces deployment of 6th-generation fighters through National Defense Strategy
Russia aims to complete MiG-41 fighter development by 2035
China plans to enhance stealth and equip hypersonic weapons
Japan has already tested stealth and other technologies with the X-2 demonstrator

▲Application of Advanced Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Laser Weapons= The 6th-generation fighter jets being developed competitively by neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula have distinct features compared to 5th-generation fighters. Among the key features is broadband stealth capability. Broadband stealth technology addresses the weaknesses of 5th-generation fighters detected at specific frequency bands such as low frequencies, and designs without vertical tail fins will make radar detection even more difficult than with 5th-generation fighters.

Additionally, 6th-generation fighters can operate unmanned combat aircraft equipped with artificial intelligence as auxiliary forces. The concept is that a manned 6th-generation fighter jet commands unmanned combat aircraft to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, attack, and other missions. Although the initial scope of missions is expected to be limited, it is anticipated that as AI technology advances, unmanned combat aircraft will be able to independently carry out a wider range of missions.

The armament, a core aspect of fighter jets, also shows clear differences from previous generations. Among the most notable weapons is the laser weapon. Laser weapons attack at speeds of approximately 300,000 km per second, making countermeasures virtually impossible. They travel in a straight line without gravitational influence, eliminating the need for ballistic calculations. Furthermore, they can intercept small targets as small as 10 cm in diameter from several kilometers away with ultra-precision strikes, making it virtually impossible for previous generation fighters to respond.

▲Concerns over Fighter Jet Power Imbalance Around 2035= Considering the future security environment of the Korean Peninsula, it seems essential for the Republic of Korea Air Force to operate 6th-generation fighter jets. However, currently, the introduction of 6th-generation fighter jets by the Air Force is still a distant prospect. In this situation, if neighboring countries deploy 6th-generation fighter jets in combat around 2035, there are concerns about an imbalance in fighter jet power between South Korea and its neighbors.

In fact, around 2035, unless there are major changes, the Republic of Korea Air Force’s fighter jet force will consist of 4.5-generation or lower fighters such as the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X), F-15K, and KF-16, excluding the 5th-generation F-35. Experts suggest that even if the Korean government decides early to introduce 6th-generation fighters, the actual introduction is likely to be possible only after around 2050. This means that an imbalance in fighter jet power among neighboring countries could persist for at least 15 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.