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6 Generations of Fighter Jets: Visualized

By Harrison —
6 Generations of Fighter Jets: Visualized
Data from the Official United States Airforce Website

The F-47 is the latest link in a chain of warplanes, each built for the battles of its time, now leading to a future where information and machines fight alongside pilots.

Infographic Takeaways:

  • Inflation-adjusted costs reveal a nearly 200-fold increase in fighter jet expenses from the 1945 F-80 to the projected F-47, showing how military innovation demands exponentially greater investment.
  • Each generation of aircraft is a response to the strategic anxieties of its era—from Cold War deterrence to stealth supremacy in the age of asymmetric threats.

The shown F-47 is a speculative placeholder—an artist's conceptual rendering likely inspired by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the U.S. Air Force’s vision for a sixth-generation fighter expected to debut around 2030. Unlike its predecessors, NGAD is not just one plane but an interconnected system-of-systems—a “family of systems”—possibly including manned jets, AI-powered drones, and advanced sensor-sharing tech.

Boeing’s selection over rivals like Lockheed Martin has stirred debate in defense circles, given its recent struggles with fighter programs like the T-7A and ongoing issues in its commercial division, raising questions about risk, readiness, and political influence in the decision.

To everyone new here

Thank you so much for signing up for the Made Visual Daily Newsletter. From cropland statistics to fighter jets, I’ve been having a blast turning my curiosity into visuals I can send out to you—and I’m deeply grateful you’ve chosen to come along for the ride. Whether you’re here for the pretty visuals, the interesting perspectives, or just a daily data snack, I hope it’s been as rewarding for you to read as it’s been for me to create. Your attention means the world—and trust me, there's more to come!

-Harrison

  • ✈️ The F-22 Raptor was so advanced, the U.S. banned its export—even to allies—fearing it would erode American air dominance.
  • 🛰️ NGAD’s sixth-gen fighters are expected to be optionally manned, allowing pilots to fly with or without physically being in the cockpit.
  • 🧠 AI co-pilots like “Skyborg” are being developed to autonomously assist or fully fly future fighters, blending human intuition with machine speed.
  • 🧬 Stealth isn’t just about shape anymore—future fighters will integrate adaptive camouflage, plasma cloaks, and heat-masking technology.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Much of the NGAD program is classified, echoing the secrecy of Cold War black projects like the SR-71 and F-117 Nighthawk.