Fifth-generation fighter production includes 187 units of the US's F-22 Raptor and over 1,070 units of its F-35 Lightning II. China has produced over 200 J-20 Mighty Dragons but little is known about their performance.
The most common fighter jet globally is still the F-16 due to its extensive parts network and logistical support. Other popular European jets include France's Dassault Rafale and Europe's Eurofighter Typhoon.
Despite some competition from Russian aircraft like the Su-57 Felon or Chinese models like J-10C Vigorous Dragon, Western countries continue to dominate sales and development in military aviation technology. The United States maintains a significant advantage in sustaining and developing these technologies thanks to substantial investments over decades.
Professor Justin Bronks from Rusi highlights this US advantage: "all that unseen stuff...is where you see the unbearable weight...of sustained tens of billions of dollars every year." He notes that despite higher operating costs than some competitors' offerings (including European ones), any air force allowed to assess directly against them opts for America's premier option -the versatile yet potent capabilities provided by an ever-evolving platform: "Despite its higher operating costs...the operational capability in contested airspace is simply in a different class."
Overall assessments indicate while certain aspects such as speed or maneuverability might attract attention elsewhere; they do not necessarily equate effectiveness within modern combat scenarios where integration between weapons systems plays crucial roles beyond visible attributes alone—a sentiment echoed by Professor Bronks: ""it's comparatively easy to produce something that looks like a stealth fighter-ish thing..."
Russian exports have declined significantly recently amid potential sanctions under US law impacting purchasing decisions abroad—even though geopolitical factors undoubtedly contribute towards diminishing market share alongside perceived shortcomings regarding actual battlefield efficacy observed throughout ongoing conflicts worldwide today too frequently discussed without contextually appropriate caveats attached accordingly given complexity involved inherently therein...
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