Military weaponry 3.1 EXPERT
What technical characteristic mainly distinguishes a 5th generation aircraft, such as the F-22 Raptor (USA) or the Su-57 (Russian) ?
75% of players answered correctly.
THE CORRECT ANSWER: Structural stealth design coupled with an internal weapons bay
The 5th generation of fighters relies on radical “passive stealth”. Unlike previous generations which can carry jamming pods, planes like the F-22, the F-35 or the Chinese J-20 integrate stealth from their geometric design (inclined shapes to deflect radar waves) and via absorbent materials (RAM).A crucial element is the internal weapons bay : carrying missiles under the wings would break the radar signature of the aircraft. By hiding munitions inside the fuselage, the aircraft maintains an extremely low radar cross-sectional area (SER), often comparable to that of a bird or a metal ball.This capability makes it possible to penetrate opposing access denial systems (A2/AD) without being detected by early warning radars. Coupled with supercruise (supersonic flight without afterburner) and multi-sensor data fusion, this technology defines modern air superiority.