In the course of the development of space powers in the past, reconnaissance planes, bombers, and fighters constantly sought breakthroughs in altitude and speed. Due to the fact that early air defense technology was not advanced enough, in order to break through the interception of the enemy's anti-aircraft fire network, these aircraft had to reach the extreme in speed and altitude.
However, with the development and progress of world space technology, especially the emergence of sophisticated anti-aircraft missile systems, the requirements for the comprehensive performance of fighters in modern warfare are getting higher and higher. In the new situation, the battlefield is no longer a confrontation of single forces, but speed is still one of the five most important characteristics of a fighter.
At present, only three countries in the world have the ability to independently develop fifth-generation aircraft: China, the United States and Russia. These countries are engaged in fierce competition in terms of the power performance of fighters.
The American F22 is considered the world's first fifth-generation stealth fighter and one of the most advanced fighters in the world. Its maximum speed can reach 2Mach 25. The Russian Su-57 has a maximum speed of at least Mach 2, and there are sources that it can reach a speed of 2Mach 12. So how fast is China's fifth-generation aircraft?What are the advantages compared to other fifth-generation aircraft?
Fighter aircraft are of great significance to the development of various events, especially in safeguarding the territorial sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the development and sophistication of fighter aircraft have advanced by leaps and bounds. These aircraft are not only armed with powerful surface- and anti-aircraft missiles, but also have extremely high concealment, capable of evading reconnaissance and striking targets with precision. At present, only the United States, Russia and China have the ability to independently develop and manufacture stealth fighters.
In the context of globalization, some countries have begun to cooperate in the development of fifth-generation aircraft. For example, the South Korean KF-21 stealth fighter was developed and manufactured with the help of the United States. In 2022, the KF-21 will make its first flight, becoming the world's fifth mass-produced stealth fighter after the United States' F22 "Raptor", F35 "Lightning", China's J-20 "Weilong" and Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter.
The American F22 is the world's first stealth fifth-generation fighter, which was initially hailed as the "ceiling" of the fighter world. Its maximum flight speed is 2Mach 25, although not the fastest fighter, its 5G maneuverability in afterburner is far superior to the previous two fighters. Although the F22 was slightly lacking in terms of data, its advanced stealth technology was far ahead at the time. In the 2007 "Red Flag Military Exercise" in the United States, F22 won a landslide victory with a record of 36:1. But the cost of this fighter is high, reaching 3$600 million and requires constant maintenance to maintain stealth performance.
The American F35 is another fifth-generation aircraft with a maximum speed of about 1Mach 6. The fighter has a combined land, sea and air strike capability, and has vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Its maximum thrust reaches 19 tons, but due to the single-engine design, its range and combat radius are limited.
Russia's Su-57 is the third fifth-generation aircraft in the world, and its maximum speed reaches 2Mach 35. The aircraft features cross-sectional stealth technology and an advanced radar system that can detect and track multiple targets in adverse weather conditions.
China's J-20 has a speed of more than 2Mach 5, with strong penetration capabilities and air combat efficiency. The J-20 can carry a variety of advanced **, has a large combat radius, and can perform long-range combat missions. Its advent and service marked a milestone in the development of the Chinese Air Force.
In terms of production volume, the F22 was discontinued after 6 years of production, bringing the total to 187 aircraft. The F35 is currently the largest stealth fighter in total, with more than 1,000 units produced, and it is expected to continue mass production in the future. China's total J-20 production is about 200 aircraft, ranking second in the world, with an annual output of about 50 aircraft. Russia's Su-57 is less than 50 due to military spending and research and development difficulties.