Design philosophy of the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker was ‘not a pound for air-to-ground'. Its high internal fuel capacity (around 33% of maximum take-off weight) gives it a range of around 4,000km and an endurance of up to five hours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Сухой Су-27 - РоссияRussia - 1981

Future 'fighters' will have to be designed with a multi-role capability to meet the demands of widely differing operator requirements. Who would have thought, looking at this heavily laden (Popeye 2) F-16, that it was originally conceived as a lightweight fighter?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16A/C/E Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1974

Following the turn in the air war during World War Two, the primary role of Allied fighters changed from point defence to escort. The long-range capability of the North American P-51 Mustang made it ideal for supporting 8th Air Force bombing raids from England.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Careful attention to aspects of the YF-22 airframe was needed to ensure a low RCS. The production F-22 will, for example, dispense with a separate speedbrake (using differential rudders), have constant-chord wing control surfaces and a reduced number of inspection hatches.
The ability of an aircraft to supercruise will not only stretch combat radius but forces an adversary to expend his own fuel in order to get his aircraft to an energy state where he can engage. Both Lockheed Martin’s F-22 and Eurofighter’s EF2000 will be able to supercruise in the Mach 1.4-1.5 region. The F-22’s Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofan’s twin spools counter-rotate to reduce the gyroscopic moments set up in high angular rate manoeuvres. Illustrated here is one of the YF-22 prototypes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-22 Raptor - СШАUSA - 1990

The F-102 Delta Dagger was the first aircraft to be designed as part of an integrated weapon system. The aircraft being solely a carrier vehicle for an automatic fire-control and weapon system.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Convair F-102 Delta Dagger - СШАUSA - 1953

Fighter design has come a long way in the three quarters of a century or so spanning the SE5A and Eurofighter EF2000.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Eurofighter Typhoon / EF-2000 - InternationalInternational - 1994

Lighthearted look at how specialists would have designed Eurofighter EF 2000, if given a free hand.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Eurofighter Typhoon / EF-2000 - InternationalInternational - 1994

Fighter design has come a long way in the three quarters of a century or so spanning the SE5A and Eurofighter EF2000.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: RAF S.E.5 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1916

Arguably the first dedicated fighter, the Fokker EI was fitted with a synchronised machine gun firing through the propeller arc. The combination of manoeuvrability, speed and forward firing gun was so effective that the latter quarter of 1915 became known that of the ‘Fokker Scourge’. This is a replica of the more powerful variant, designated the E III.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fokker E.I - E.III Eindecker - ГерманияGermany - 1914

High performance introduced a number of additional problems to the fighter designer, not least of which was the safe extraction of the crew during flight at high speed/low altitude. This is an airborne trial of a Martin-Baker Mk 16L ejection seat from a Gloster Meteor.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 / FR.Mk.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1948