From machine guns to hypersonic missiles, a technical look back at the evolution of weapon systems on modern fighter jets.

The fighter jet is a technological marvel whose evolution has mirrored that of weapon systems. Since World War II, combat aircraft have seen their payload, firepower, and accuracy transformed by the successive arrival of electronics, multi-frequency sensors, network-centric warfare, and more recently, artificial intelligence. This evolution is not solely driven by firepower: it stems from a constant need to adapt to changing threats in an airspace that has become dense, contested, and full of countermeasures.

From integrated cannons to active radar-guided missiles, each step marks a strategic, doctrinal, and technological turning point. Innovation cycles are now dictated as much by operational feedback as by industrial and economic constraints. Understanding the evolution of weapon systems therefore provides a better understanding of the direction of future programs. Through this technical analysis, this article reviews the main technological breakthroughs and current configurations that dominate air combat.

Conventional weaponry: cannons, machine guns, and free-fall bombs

Until the 1950s, almost all fighter aircraft were equipped exclusively with direct-fire weapons, mainly machine guns and cannons ranging from 12.7 mm to 30 mm in caliber. Aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang and the Messerschmitt Bf 109 were equipped with several machine guns mounted in the wings. These weapons fired at a high rate (up to 1,200 rounds/min), but their accuracy was highly dependent on the firing position and distance.

At that time, armament was still limited in range and destructive power. Accuracy depended on the pilot, the flight path, and combat conditions. Free-fall bombs, often unguided, required low-altitude passes and exposed aircraft to anti-aircraft defenses. Fighter aircraft flight was therefore a risky operation, with loss rates often exceeding 10% on some fronts.

In the late 1940s, the first automatic cannons, such as the 30 mm ADEN used on British fighters and the French DEFA, increased firepower. These weapons remain in use on modern fighters (e.g., the GAU-8 on the A-10 or the GIAT 30 on the Rafale), but are now relegated to close combat or ground support.

The missile era: the turning point of the 1960s

The introduction of air-to-air missiles radically changed the paradigm of air combat. The AIM-9 Sidewinder, developed from 1956 onwards, was the first widely deployed infrared-guided missile. It allowed a target to be engaged from several kilometers away, without perfect alignment and without direct exposure. This system gave American fighters a crucial advantage in the early stages of the Vietnam War.

At the same time, the Soviets deployed equivalent missiles such as the K-13 (R-3S). These missiles reached speeds of over Mach 2 and had a semi-active guidance system, but suffered from significant limitations: reduced detection range, inability to fire outside the target’s rear arc, and high sensitivity to heat flares.

The 1970s saw the emergence of the first active radar-guided missiles, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, capable of engaging a target at a range of over 30 km without radar support from the fighter after launch. These missiles represented a breakthrough in the armament of fourth-generation aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and the MiG-29. Their unit cost exceeds €800,000 for the latest versions, but their operational effectiveness rate exceeds 80% according to post-engagement reports.

Sophisticated sensors and data links

The effectiveness of an onboard weapon system depends as much on the weapon itself as on the fighter’s ability to detect, identify, and engage its target from a distance. The introduction of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously while remaining stealthy, has significantly improved lethality.

Aircraft such as the Rafale F4, F-22 Raptor and JAS 39E Gripen can simultaneously process data from multiple sensors (radar, optronics, electronic warfare) to improve weapon performance. This fusion of sensors, combined with tactical data links such as Link-16, enables collaborative fire control, where one fighter can fire a missile guided by another.

In the 2000s, this logic was extended to smart munitions. JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs, for example, are guided by GPS and inertia, with an accuracy of around 3 to 5 meters, even in poor weather conditions. Each kit costs around $30,000 to $50,000, much less than a missile but with effective targeted strike capability against fixed targets.

Smart air-to-ground munitions and deep strike

Fighter jet flight is no longer solely dedicated to air superiority. Since the 1990s, air-to-ground missions have become central. Weapons such as the SCALP-EG and JASSM enable precision strikes at ranges of over 500 kilometers, beyond the reach of most ground-to-air defenses.

These cruise missiles have low, stealthy flight profiles and fly at subsonic speeds, following the terrain. They cost between $900,000 and $1.2 million per unit. They are integrated into multi-role fighter aircraft such as the Rafale, F-35, and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Laser-guided munitions, such as the GBU-12 Paveway series, are used to strike moving targets. Coupled with an on-board or remote laser designator, they enable dynamic strikes but require favorable weather conditions.

The evolution of air-to-ground weaponry has also led to the development of reduced-effect bombs, such as the SDB (Small Diameter Bomb), which limit collateral damage while maintaining high military effectiveness.

The integration of drones and electromagnetic weapons

Airborne weapon systems are now evolving towards hybrid configurations. The integration of loyal wingman drones, such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie or the Remote Carrier NGWS, extends the range of a fighter without putting the main aircraft at risk. These drones themselves carry offensive payloads, including missiles or jammers, and can be controlled from a manned fighter.

At the same time, militaries are developing airborne electromagnetic weapons. Low-power lasers, such as those tested on F-15 and F/A-18 platforms, are intended for anti-drone defense, with an effective range of a few hundred meters. Their use remains limited by the power available on board, but compact, high-energy-density generators could make them more widespread by 2030.

Finally, onboard electronic warfare technologies, such as the SPECTRA on the Rafale or the ALQ-249 NGJ on the Growler, are becoming weapons in their own right: jamming, radar spoiling, GPS link disruption, and even cyber attacks via waves. These means do not neutralize a target through physical destruction, but through electronic neutralization, which is now a primary combat function.

Get in touch to live a unique fighter jet experience – we fly in France AND YOU CAN TAKE THE CONTROLS!!!