Germany's DLR‑FFD Devil Fighter Jet: A New Contender for Air Dominance
Scientists from the German Aerospace Center DLR have made significant progress in creating a new sixth-generation fighter jet, according to the Bulgarian Military portal. The aircraft, named DLR-FFD Devil (in English, "devil"), is currently a hot topic of discussion. Here's what we know so far.
It remains to be seen whether the "devil" project is part of the agreement that includes Germany, France, and Spain (under the Future Combat Air System program), or if it is the result of independent collaboration between Berlin and the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy (within the Global Combat Air Programme).
The German "Devil": What we know about it
From the publicly available specification sheet provided by the manufacturer, there are a few noteworthy points - as reported by Bulgarian Military. Firstly, the "Devil's" range is impressive, estimated at about 2,000 kilometres (effective range up to 1,300 kilometres). The maximum take-off weight of this German-engineered aircraft being as much as 36,000 kg is also not to be overlooked. The maximum payload can reach up to 8,000 kg.
In terms of armament, the "devil" is expected to be equipped with an internal bay designed for carrying air-to-air guided missiles, with a total mass of up to 1,800 kg. These parameters strike a balance between high firepower while still maintaining the stealth characteristics of the aircraft, i.e., its ability to fly undetected by enemy observation and reconnaissance systems.
Details regarding the Devil’s propulsion unit are still sparse. However, Bulgarian Military notes that there are expectations of propulsion based on two engines, with a thrust of 14,800 or 23,100 kg-force each. "The anticipated thrust-to-weight ratio could be a respectable 0.84 or an excellent 1.32" - we read. Moreover, an important feature of the "devil" is also its maximum speed, reaching up to 2,800 km/h (2.6 Mach). At the same time, the maximum altitude at which the fighter will operate is expected to be 15,200 metres.
"The German aircraft could be a powerhouse in many respects" – referring to its durable construction, powerful engines, impressive speed, and great agility. Bulgarian Military emphasizes that the Devil is built with one specific goal in mind - air dominance. This seems to be a clear intention especially in light of the Russian-developed Su-57 fighter, which could be a direct competitor to the "devil." However, it is uncertain when to expect the presentation of the Devil's flying prototype and the timeline for the start of mass production.
