popularmechanics.co.zaSu-57 Felon » The Felon boasts a unique internal weapons bay
configuration that can likely support between four and six
medium-range air-to-air missiles. Two secondary weapons bays
can be found in triangular structures under the fighter’s wing
roots. These open like clamshells to reveal short-range air-to-
air missiles. Six external hardpoints can carry extra munitions.
The Su-57 employs a single 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-
30-1 autocannon, in Russian service since 1980, for close-range
engagements. With a firing rate of 1 800 rounds per minute and
incendiary armour-piercing projectiles, this weapon can be
deadly at an air-to-air range of 800 metres and an air-to-ground
range of more than 1 800 metres.J-20 Mighty Dragon » The J-20 utilises one large primary bay
for a variety of missiles and bombs meant for air-to-surface
engagements, as well as two smaller lateral bays used for air-to-
air weapons. The lateral bays allow the J-20 to keep its primary
weapons bay closed while engaging other fighters, minimising
the jet’s radar signature even while it engages opponents.
But the J-20 was not designed for close-up dogfighting. As
such, it has no cannon, making it the only fifth-generation
fighter in the world that forgoes the guns. The J-20 also boasts
four additional external hardpoints beneath its wings. In total,
it can carry four weapons in its primary internal bay, one in each
lateral bay, and four externally.NGAD » The NGAD will likely come with the ability to operate
in a formation of pilot-guided support drones, like those being
developed by the air force’s Skyborg or Boeing’s Loyal Wingman
programmes. These networked platforms will be able to extend
the NGAD’s sensor reach, engage targets on the NGAD’s behalf,
and serve as nodes between the NGAD and other nearby assets.
A power surplus on the new plane might support future
directed energy weapons and defences, including laser-induced
plasma filaments that can create infrared holograms to confuse
inbound missiles.ARMAMENT
In order to maintain a stealth profile,
fighters carry weapons internally, but
some offer external hardpoints for
mounting extra firepower. Russia and
China maintain large fleets of non-stealth fourth-
generation fighters, so their fifth-generation fighters will
likely be leveraged in low-profile operations. The NGAD
fighter might likewise carry its weapons internally as
well, with an internal payload exceeding those of the
F-35 and F-22.NGAD » Its avionics, sensors, and on-board
computers should surpass the F-35’s, thanks
to an ‘open system architecture’ approach
similar to that of your smartphone. Just as
your phone is a collection of multifunction
sensors and data processors, upgradable via
periodic software downloads, so will NGAD’s
avionics be open to improvements over the
platform’s lifetime. ‘Today’s fighters are not
just aeroplanes,’ says Major Justin Lee, US
Air Force F-35 pilot. ‘They are systems of
sensors and weapons fused together in an
efficient package. And because everything is
tied together, one software update can make
the entire system significantly better in a
matter of minutes.’China’s first
J-20s reached
a top speed
of Mach 2.55.PH
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