Jet Fighter Generations

Jet fighters generations are categories created to separate major technology leaps in the historical development of jet fighters. The term generation first appeared in the 170s EE, according to the Imperial Alvan Air Force's Air Power Development Centre Bulletin: "to make sense of the leap-frogging improvements in performance to jet fighter aircraft brought about through major advances in aircraft design, avionics, and weapon systems" and proposes that a "generational shift in jet fighter aircraft occurs when a technological innovation cannot be incorporated into an existing aircraft through upgrades" and retrofits.