I know gajinn doesnt want us to talk about the leaks so lets ignored those for this context specifically (kinda) but here a NEEDED list of which fifth gen goes into wich lines.
The common to everyone jack of all trades F35A for all nations that get it of course should if theres one be placed after f16s, as its its literral replacement it can only make sens.
F35B spinny one should be placed where VTOLS are or as a replacement of the current aircraft its supposed to replace in the waters of earth example being av8 to f35b
F35C is pretty self explanatory, its the carrier capable naval one made for hard landings, as such anything in the style of the f18 line should be where it goes
For the other more specific doombringers
F22a now this one is… hard to explain since most line in the usa decided to have a toptier jet that doesn’t correspond, example being the f15c line…but i suppose it should go there, as of the yf23 i think it should honestly be a squadron veicule
Su57 is pretty easy to set. After whatever comes after the su30sm
J20 is up to the community choice
One thing that should be respected imo is the usa lineup being
J-20 would go after J-11B, 2 engine heavy fighter.
F-35s after F-16AM [France], F-2A, Typhoon [Italy], F-16C Block 40, F-18C [Sweden], Typhoon [Germany], and Britain is really either line.
In my humble opinion, we should first integrate the other 4++ gen aircraft, and especially their electronic warfare versions, between the current top tiers and the respective 5th gen aircraft.
Obviously, this does not apply to:
The F35Bs, which are the direct successors to the Harriers in the US, UK, and Italy
The F35As, which are successors to various versions of the F-16 for all users
But in the following cases, and given the current top tiers:
F-15C → F-22, I think the F-15EX Eagle II should be included between the two
F/A-18C+ → F-35C, I think the F/A-18E/F should be included, then the E/A-18G should be included between the two.
SU-30SM → SU-57, I think the SU-35S should be included before the SU-57
YF-23 maybe should be Squadron
For the specific case of China, it would be necessary to create a new tree end, the naval branch that would start with the J-15 and end at the naval J-35.
Complementing the JH-7A branch with the J-16 and J-16D wich gives place in a more or less distant future for the next 5th gen strike aircraft after them.
Ending the J-11B line by the J-20, but adding J-11D between them.
Ending the J-10A line by the J-35A, but adding the J-10C between them.
Many fifth-generation aircraft already have different versions. We should make finer distinctions. For example, early versions of the F-22 should face fourth-generation fighters with a lower rating, as these early variants lacked the AIM-9X and helmet-mounted sighting system. Conversely, the more modernized versions should be considered the true top tier, matching up against other top-tier fighters (the J-20 is the same in this regard).
Therefore, I believe the early variants of the F-22 should be placed between the F-15C and the F-15EX, while the more modern variants should be top-tier. Alternatively, the different versions could be folded/collapsed (into sub-variants).
For Britain, The F-35B would either go after the Sea Harrier FA2 as a naval aircraft or after the Harrier Gr9A (yet to be added) in the strike aircraft line.
If britain were to decide to get F-35Cs then that may go either in line 1 after the Typhoon FGR4 as a multi-role or in Line 4 after the Harrier Gr9A as a strike aircraft
Lies. We need more Australian kit, and to stop the Australian kit going to the yanks. I do not seek to lose yet another one of our bits of kits to the yank tree.