I was thinking about this yesterday 6th Gen would also have a Comm capability with a wing man? Maybe the 6th Gen plane would be some what self aware.
In a sense, it's actually a VERY TALL order that is required from "true" 6th generation aircraft. Basically it's the same size leap that we saw from 4th gen to 5th gen which when you look at the elements that made that leap, they were extraordinary! Design factor alone was a whole new concept in creating efficient, non-radar returning shape with that corner line that runs straight down the center side of the fuselage from radome to rear of aircraft. To the elimination of 90 degree angles and to RAM and cruise control just to name the few main ones. All of these were really huge leaps from 4th gen aircraft and what seems to be needed here, now, is the same level of "changes," so to speak, in the 6th gen aircraft that they must be major leaps to the 5th gen parameters which frankly is a major tall order!
6th Gen is about systems of systems, with a different higher order of sensor fusion(take the F35 level up one notch), energy directed weapons(lasers, and other high intensity beams) and autonomous automation of operations(wingman drones), higher sustained cruise speeds, modulator construction with an agile driven approach to design and delivery.. take weapons integrations from years to months, or weeks by making the platform more of a software platform, etc...
The term is a marketing term, but it singifies an uptick in performance from the F35, which is the current benchmark on some of these systems.
I'd say your list is pretty accurate and so was
@PakFactor 's. In order to qualify these tremendous leaps from 5th to 6th, it's going to take a whole new generation of technology & wepons to make that happen and it will involve, IMO, these items:
1)
Body shape, will need to jump a whole new step (complete new designs that even accept radical ones such as the YF-23 and X-32) where the US differs in the British design like the Tempest is that the US is putting A LOT of value on a tail-less design. No vertical stabilizers with rudders or all-moving stabilators.
2)
RAM material (technology needs to jump a whole new step in effectiveness)
3)
Weapons (will need to be compatible to old weapon types while having new weapons [mainly laser weapons like you suggested] and other brand new concepts including possibly restricted EMP weapons? Energy weapons that attack at the speed of light will need to be factors.
4)
Engines need a major leap and possibly ones that lower heat signature by 50 percent to make them less prone to heat-seeking missiles which are mostly what brings down aircraft for air launched to especially ground launched.
5)
Avionics - artificial intelligence needs to be a huge part of this development. Flying the aircraft in critical situation by sensors to the pilot's helmet and brain instead of stick inputs. Avionics that incorporate computers capable of making the correct evasive decisions in super fast timing to evade incoming missiles.
6)
RADARS & ECM will probably be the biggest leap IMO. Radars need better capabilities to detect stealthier designs than in the past. 5th gen aircraft should be easily picked up with 6th gen radars. The radars need to be smaller in order not to give out their RCS as well as be VERY DIFFICULT to jam.
These are the leaps that will need to be made and they are significant leaps, otherwise these new, supposed 6th generation aircraft will be considered the usual that is being done now, and that is 5+ or 5++ and not true 6th generation and let's face it. Aside from all the political fury and hatred or whatever there is, the standard to meet will be whatever the US puts forth as the 6th generation aircraft. I don't think any other country has the position to dictate what meets the criteria for 6th generation except the US and what the US creates because it has been the leading, innovator and designer and producer of the first and best next generation aircraft in recent history.
And so far, the biggest bang in a changed requirement for 6th generation aircraft the US has made somewhat a major factor and requirement is a tailless aircraft. I don't see the Tempest in that configuration but it does have a lot of the other design elements to the new shapes of wings etc.
This is Boeing's rendition of what the 6th generation will look like. Note the lack of V-stabs.
Other designs, also tailless.
Possibly the next USAF & USN aircraft.
