How is it possible that while Russia and China are barely able to create 5th generation fighter jets, the USA is already in the beginning stages of building 7th generation fighters?
Correction:
Russia can’t. China is being China by quietly developing their stealth fighters and they’ve surpassed the Russians without fanfare.
The US is busy thinking what exactly is a “6th generation” fighter or if there will be one at all.
Europe is making their “6th generation” fighters which honestly look no different than supercharged F-35. More capable, yes, but not fundamentally different; all the advanced avionics, AI, and augmented reality stuff might be able to be integrated into the F-35 (and maybe even the F-15/F-16).
Countries like Turkey and South Korea are starting small with semi-stealthy jets before moving on to true 5th generation fighters.
Why is it that it is what it is?
The economy. Russia can’t afford stealth fighters but China can. Europe can do that too but only when they band together. Turkey was once an F-35 partner, so they got some experience. South Korea is building it with Indonesia and has some US assistance.
So we now know that the smallest economy that can afford a domestic stealth fighter program is China.