Fifth Generation Fighters

, “Air superiority is the desired state before all other combat operations. Attaining air superiority provides both the freedom to attack and freedom from attack, as well as ensuring freedom to maneuver. Operating without air superiority radically increases risk to surface and air operations.” 
 
That’s a quote from Air Force doctrine…a lesson we learned the hard way over 100+ years of powered flight. And since April 1953 we have owned the skies over every battlefield, guaranteeing our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines the freedom to attack, freedom from attack and freedom to maneuver. 
 
Yet, until the F-22 became operational in 2005, America’s Air Force had not fielded a new fighter since the 1970s. In that time, potential adversaries did not sit idly by. They developed increasingly capable surface-to-air missile systems and “4th +” generation fighters. Proliferation of these advanced threats places at risk our ability to gain access and hold air superiority over regions where vital U.S. interests are at stake. 
 
The only tactical aircraft in the U.S. arsenal with the capability to operate against all potential threats and ensure there is no refuge for our would-be enemies, the only tactical aircraft with the requisite combination of stealth, speed, integrated avionics, offensive firepower and defensive systems, are the Raptor and the Lightning II. 
 
We must be able to ingress, detect, target, engage, and egress — even in a sophisticated anti-access environment — anywhere on the globe at a moment’s notice. Our fifth generation fighters guarantee we can. 
 
In addition to being more survivable and more lethal, these systems are more supportable and sustainable than our currently fielded 4th generation aircraft. This translates to a smaller logistical footprint and thus a more affordable force. Increased capability with decreased cost is exactly the path we need to follow to successfully recapitalize our aging Tactical Air fleet.