{"id":2631268,"date":"2026-06-24T22:46:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/?p=2631268"},"modified":"2026-06-24T22:47:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:47:32","slug":"sixth-generation-fighter-jets-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/fr\/sixth-generation-fighter-jets-race\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sixth Generation: When the Fighter Learned to Fly Itself"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.et_pb_title_container h1.entry-title { padding-top: 40px !important; }<\/style><p style=\"font-size:15px;color:#777;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:18px\">Une partie de <strong>Les Ailes de la Guerre \u2014 De Zeppelin \u00e0 la Sixi\u00e8me G\u00e9n\u00e9ration<\/strong>, notre s\u00e9rie sur les grands tournants de l&#039;aviation militaire.<\/p><p>In August 2020, an experienced United States Air Force fighter pilot strapped into a simulator to dogfight an opponent he could not see, in a contest run by the Pentagon&rsquo;s research agency. His opponent was not another pilot. It was a piece of artificial-intelligence software, built by a small company, that had taught itself air combat by fighting itself billions of times.<\/p><p>The machine destroyed him. Across five rounds, the AI shot the human down five times and was never once hit, flying with a cold, precise aggression &mdash; taking head-on gun shots no human would risk &mdash; that the pilot simply could not match. Four years later, the descendants of that software were no longer in a simulator at all: they were flying <em>real<\/em> dogfights in a specially modified F-16, with the Secretary of the Air Force riding in the cockpit to watch. The sixth generation of air power had announced itself &mdash; not as a new aircraft, but as a new kind of mind in the cockpit.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#f3f4f6;padding:18px 22px;margin:24px 0\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;font-weight:700;color:#333;font-size:15px;letter-spacing:.3px\">FAITS RAPIDES<\/p><table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5\"><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>Quoi<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">The sixth-generation fighter &mdash; the most advanced combat aircraft now being built<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>Defining feature<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">Teaming with AI-piloted drones, and possibly flying with no pilot at all<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>The U.S. answer<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">The Boeing F-47, chosen in 2025; first flight expected around 2027&ndash;28<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>The allies<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">Britain, Italy and Japan&rsquo;s joint GCAP \/ Tempest, aimed at 2035<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>The challenger<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">China, which has flown sixth-generation prototypes since 2024<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:6px 14px 6px 0;color:#555;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap\"><strong>The casualty<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:6px 0;color:#222\">Europe&rsquo;s rival FCAS project, which collapsed in 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-makes-sixth\" style=\"padding-top:22px\">What makes a generation &ldquo;sixth&rdquo;<\/h2><p>Fighter aircraft are sorted into &ldquo;generations,&rdquo; each a leap over the last. The fourth gave us agile jets like the F-16; the fifth added all-aspect <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/stealth-aircraft-history\/\">furtivit\u00e9<\/a> and sensor fusion in the F-22 and F-35. The sixth generation goes further in every direction &mdash; even deeper stealth, vast range, adaptive engines, and sensors woven into a single battle picture &mdash; but its truly revolutionary feature is not about the aircraft itself. It is about what flies alongside it, and who, if anyone, sits inside.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img data-opt-id=610362366  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/sixth-generation-fighter-concept.jpg\" alt=\"A full-scale model of a sixth-generation fighter\" style=\"display:block;width:100%!important;max-width:100%!important;height:auto!important\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">A full-scale model of the GCAP \/ Tempest sixth-generation fighter being developed by Britain, Italy and Japan. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"man-machine\" style=\"padding-top:22px\">The man-machine team<\/h2><p>The central idea of the sixth generation is teaming. A single crewed fighter acts as a quarterback, flying at the back of the fight and directing a flock of cheap, expendable, AI-piloted <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-drone-uav-history\/\">drones<\/a> &mdash; called &ldquo;collaborative combat aircraft&rdquo; &mdash; into the most dangerous places. The drones scout, jam, soak up missiles and shoot, while the human makes the decisions. It multiplies one expensive pilot across many robot aircraft, and it changes the pilot&rsquo;s job from flying the plane to commanding the mission.<\/p><p>This is no longer a sketch on a drawing board. The United States has already chosen companies to build the first batch of these &ldquo;collaborative combat aircraft&rdquo; &mdash; jet-powered, semi-autonomous drones meant to be cheap enough to lose, smart enough to fight, and built in far larger numbers than crewed fighters could ever be. The vision is a single piloted jet leading a small swarm of them into battle, the way a quarterback directs a team &mdash; and whoever masters that teamwork first may hold the same kind of edge that the synchronised gun once gave the Eindecker.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img data-opt-id=523941031  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/xq-58a-valkyrie-collaborative-combat-aircraft.jpg\" alt=\"A Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie loyal-wingman drone\" style=\"display:block;width:100%!important;max-width:100%!important;height:auto!important\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">A Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie. Cheap, autonomous drones like this &mdash; which the U.S. Marines now <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/marines-want-the-valkyrie-both-ways\/\">want in two versions<\/a> &mdash; are the sixth generation&rsquo;s real weapon. Photo: U.S. Air Force.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"contenders\" style=\"padding-top:22px\">Les pr\u00e9tendants<\/h2><p>The race is global, and the field is already sorting itself out. The United States leads: in 2025 it chose Boeing&rsquo;s design for its Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, naming it the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/f-47-gets-5-billion-as-sixth-gen-fighter-race-heats-up\/\">F-47<\/a>, with billions committed and a first flight targeted for the late 2020s &mdash; while the U.S. Navy pursues its own carrier-based sixth-generation jet.<\/p><p>Much of the design is being driven by geography. A future war in the vast distances of the Pacific would demand fighters that can fly much farther than today&rsquo;s short-legged jets, carry more fuel and weapons, and operate from scattered, makeshift bases. That is pushing the sixth generation toward large, long-range aircraft &mdash; closer in size to a small bomber than to a nimble dogfighter &mdash; a very different animal from the fighters of the past century.<\/p><p>Close behind is a remarkable alliance: Britain, Italy and Japan have merged their efforts into a single programme, GCAP &mdash; known in Britain as Tempest &mdash; aiming for service around 2035, with a flying demonstrator already under construction. Europe&rsquo;s other great hope, the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS, became a cautionary tale: torn apart by industrial rivalry between France and Germany, the project collapsed in 2026.<\/p><p>And then there is China, which stunned Western observers by flying not one but two large, tailless sixth-generation prototypes in late 2024, with more sightings since. After decades of catching up, China is now, by some measures, racing alongside the United States toward the next frontier &mdash; a long way from its current front-line stealth fighter, the J-20, shown below.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img data-opt-id=1478567636  decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/chengdu-j-20-china-fifth-generation.jpg\" alt=\"A Chengdu J-20, China\u2019s fifth-generation stealth fighter\" style=\"display:block;width:100%!important;max-width:100%!important;height:auto!important\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">China&rsquo;s current front-line stealth fighter, the fifth-generation J-20. Behind it, Chinese sixth-generation prototypes have been flying since 2024. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"cockpit\" style=\"padding-top:22px\">Will anyone be in the cockpit?<\/h2><p>The deepest question the sixth generation raises is the oldest one in this series, turned inside out. For more than a century, the story of air power has been the story of pilots &mdash; from the Zeppelin-hunters to the aces to the astronauts of the SR-71. Now, for the first time, the aircraft may not need them. Sixth-generation fighters are being designed to be &ldquo;optionally crewed&rdquo;: able to fly with a pilot, or with no one at all. Europe is already <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/airbus-ravenstorm-helsing-ca-1ea-europe-combat-drones-ila-2026\/\">rolling out its own robot wingmen<\/a>, and every major power is wrestling with the same uneasy question &mdash; how much of the killing should be handed to a machine. For now, the stated rule almost everywhere is that a human must stay &ldquo;in the loop&rdquo; for any decision to take a life. But the pressure runs the other way: in a fight where missiles close in seconds and communications can be jammed, the side willing to let its machines decide for themselves may simply be faster. The most important contest of the sixth generation may turn out to be not between nations at all, but between human judgement and the speed of the machine.<\/p><p>That is where a century of military aviation has led: from a hydrogen <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/zeppelin-airship-military-history-wwi\/\">airship<\/a> drifting over England in the dark, to an artificial intelligence that out-flies its human teacher. The <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/fighter-aircraft-air-superiority-history\/\">fighter<\/a> that began with a gun fired through a propeller in 1915 is becoming something its inventors could never have imagined &mdash; and the next great turning point of air power may be the one in which the pilot finally steps out of the cockpit altogether.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#eef3ff;border:1px solid #cdddff;border-left:5px solid #5C91FF;padding:16px 20px;margin:24px 0\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.3px;color:#1a3a7a;font-size:14px\">POWERS COMPARED &mdash; THE SIXTH-GENERATION RACE<\/p><table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5\"><tr><td style=\"padding:5px 14px 5px 0;color:#555;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top\"><strong>\u00c9tats-Unis<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:5px 0\">The Boeing F-47 (Air Force) and a separate Navy fighter &mdash; the current front-runner<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:5px 14px 5px 0;color:#555;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top\"><strong>UK \/ Italy \/ Japan<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:5px 0\">GCAP \/ Tempest &mdash; a strong three-nation partnership aiming for 2035<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:5px 14px 5px 0;color:#555;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top\"><strong>Chine<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:5px 0\">Tailless J-36 and J-50 prototypes flying since 2024 &mdash; a genuine surprise<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"padding:5px 14px 5px 0;color:#555;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top\"><strong>Europe (FCAS) & Russia<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"padding:5px 0\">FCAS collapsed in 2026; Russia&rsquo;s effort lags well behind<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div>\n<p><em>Sources: U.S. Air Force; DARPA; UK Ministry of Defence; standard reporting on the NGAD\/F-47, GCAP, FCAS and Chinese sixth-generation programmes as of 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<!--SERIESBOX--><div style=\"border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#f7f9fc;padding:28px 30px;margin:42px 0;border-radius:0;\"><div style=\"font:700 22px\/1.25 Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;letter-spacing:0.4px;color:#5C91FF;margin-bottom:20px;\">Tous les articles de la s\u00e9rie<\/div><table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;border:0;width:auto;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.45;\"><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">1.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/zeppelin-airship-military-history-wwi\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Le dirigeable en guerre<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Comment le Zeppelin a transport\u00e9 pour la premi\u00e8re fois la guerre dans les airs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">2.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-reconnaissance-aircraft-to-satellites\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Premi\u00e8re mission\u00a0: reconnaissance<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Les yeux qui ont conquis la Marne et sont mont\u00e9s en orbite<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">3.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/fighter-aircraft-air-superiority-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Le combattant<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">La qu\u00eate centenaire du contr\u00f4le de l&#039;air<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">4.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/folkestone-gotha-raid-1917-strategic-bombing\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Folkestone, 1917<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Le jour o\u00f9 le bombardement strat\u00e9gique est n\u00e9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">5.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/guided-missiles-precision-weapons-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">La r\u00e9volution de la pr\u00e9cision<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Quand les bombes et les missiles ont appris \u00e0 viser eux-m\u00eames<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">6.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/electronic-warfare-aviation-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">La Guerre des Sorciers<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Comment la guerre \u00e9lectronique a appris \u00e0 aveugler l&#039;ennemi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">7.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-satellites-space-reconnaissance-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Yeux en orbite<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Comment l&#039;espionnage s&#039;est \u00e9tendu \u00e0 l&#039;espace<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">8.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/stealth-aircraft-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">Furtivit\u00e9<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">Comment les avions ont appris \u00e0 dispara\u00eetre des radars<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;\">9.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-drone-uav-history\/\" style=\"font-weight:700;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;\">L&#039;essor du drone<\/a><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;\">La guerre sans pilote dans le cockpit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;color:#5C91FF;font-weight:700;padding:9px 14px 9px 10px;background:#e7f0ff;\">10.<\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;white-space:nowrap;padding:9px 48px 9px 0;background:#e7f0ff;\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;color:#0b2a6b;\">La sixi\u00e8me g\u00e9n\u00e9ration<\/span><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align:top;border:0;color:#555;font-weight:400;padding:9px 12px 9px 0;background:#e7f0ff;\">Quand le chasseur a appris \u00e0 voler tout seul<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><!--\/SERIESBOX--><!--SERIESCAR--><div style=\"border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#f7f9fc;border-radius:0;padding:30px 32px;margin:42px 0;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;margin-bottom:18px;\"><div style=\"font:700 26px\/1.25 Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;letter-spacing:1.2px;color:#5C91FF;\">D\u00c9COUVREZ LA S\u00c9RIE<\/div><div><button type=\"button\" onclick=\"document.getElementById('wowcar').scrollBy({left:-564,behavior:'smooth'})\" style=\"border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;color:#5C91FF;width:38px;height:38px;cursor:pointer;font-size:18px;line-height:1;border-radius:0;\">\u2039<\/button><button type=\"button\" 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style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:512\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/f-22-raptor-twilight-modern-air-power.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;color:#5C91FF;margin-bottom:5px;\">APER\u00c7U<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Les Ailes de la Guerre<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">De Zeppelin \u00e0 la sixi\u00e8me g\u00e9n\u00e9ration<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/zeppelin-airship-military-history-wwi\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:523\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/german-zeppelin-airship-in-flight.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Le dirigeable en guerre<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Comment le Zeppelin a transport\u00e9 pour la premi\u00e8re fois la guerre dans les airs<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-reconnaissance-aircraft-to-satellites\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:478\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/wwi-reconnaissance-biplane.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Premi\u00e8re mission\u00a0: reconnaissance<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Les yeux qui ont conquis la Marne et sont mont\u00e9s en orbite<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/fighter-aircraft-air-superiority-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:512\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/fokker-eindecker-aircraft.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Le combattant<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">La qu\u00eate centenaire du contr\u00f4le de l&#039;air<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/folkestone-gotha-raid-1917-strategic-bombing\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:942\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/zeppelin-staaken-r-vi-giant-bomber.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Folkestone, 1917<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Le jour o\u00f9 le bombardement strat\u00e9gique est n\u00e9<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/guided-missiles-precision-weapons-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:510\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/fritz-x-first-guided-bomb.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">La r\u00e9volution de la pr\u00e9cision<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Quand les bombes et les missiles ont appris \u00e0 viser eux-m\u00eames<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/electronic-warfare-aviation-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:614\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/ea-18g-growler-electronic-warfare.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">La Guerre des Sorciers<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Comment la guerre \u00e9lectronique a appris \u00e0 aveugler l&#039;ennemi<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-satellites-space-reconnaissance-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:768\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/reconnaissance-satellite-in-orbit.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Yeux en orbite<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Comment l&#039;espionnage s&#039;est \u00e9tendu \u00e0 l&#039;espace<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/stealth-aircraft-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:512\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/f-117-nighthawk-stealth-fighter.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">Furtivit\u00e9<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Comment les avions ont appris \u00e0 dispara\u00eetre des radars<\/span><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-drone-uav-history\/\" style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;display:block;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #d8d8d8;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:614\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/mq-9-reaper-drone.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a3a7a;margin-bottom:7px;\">L&#039;essor du drone<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">La guerre sans pilote dans le cockpit<\/span><\/span><\/a><div style=\"flex:0 0 264px;scroll-snap-align:start;border:2px solid #5C91FF;background:#fff;border-radius:0;overflow:hidden;font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"display:block;width:100%;height:150px;background-image:url('https:\/\/ml5psubhxdln.i.optimole.com\/cb:0e0_.b970\/w:768\/h:512\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/06\/sixth-generation-fighter-concept.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:center;\"><\/span><span style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px 18px;\"><span style=\"display:block;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:1px;color:#5C91FF;margin-bottom:5px;\">VOUS \u00caTES EN TRAIN DE LIRE CECI<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;line-height:1.3;color:#0b2a6b;margin-bottom:7px;\">La sixi\u00e8me g\u00e9n\u00e9ration<\/span><span style=\"display:block;font-weight:400;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#555;\">Quand le chasseur a appris \u00e0 voler tout seul<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/SERIESCAR--><div style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;margin:34px 0 8px\"><p style=\"margin:0;padding:11px 16px;background:#1a3a7a;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.5px\">LECTURES COMPL\u00c9MENTAIRES<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-aviation-history-zeppelin-to-sixth-generation\/\" style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;line-height:1.4;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3\">Les Ailes de la Guerre : De Zeppelin \u00e0 la Sixi\u00e8me G\u00e9n\u00e9ration (aper\u00e7u de la s\u00e9rie)<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/f-47-gets-5-billion-as-sixth-gen-fighter-race-heats-up\/\" style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;line-height:1.4;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3\">F-47 Gets $5 Billion as the Sixth-Gen Fighter Race Heats Up<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/military-drone-uav-history\/\" style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;line-height:1.4;border-bottom:1px solid #e3e3e3\">The Rise of the Drone: How War Took the Pilot Out of the Cockpit<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/jetflights\/fighter-aircraft-air-superiority-history\/\" style=\"display:block;padding:13px 16px;color:#1a3a7a;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;line-height:1.4\">The Fighter: The Hundred-Year Quest for Air Superiority<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Part of Wings of War &mdash; From Zeppelin to Sixth Generation, our series on the great turning points of military aviation. In August 2020, an experienced United States Air Force fighter pilot strapped into a simulator to dogfight an opponent he could not see, in a contest run by the Pentagon&rsquo;s research agency. His opponent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":2631127,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[666,664],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2631268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history-and-legends","category-military-aviation"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Sixth Generation: When the Fighter Learned to Fly Itself<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An AI beat a human ace 5-0 in 2020. 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