@Michael
As they become more affordable and ubiquitous with 5th and 6th gen R&D, there is the increased use more modern carbon fiber that is thermally optimized, to reduce IR signature, especially at key places on the aircraft; Intakes, leading edges and tail, at the nose (behind the radome). Any estimate what these materials would cost to implement at these key locations if not over larger parts of the aircraft?
Furthermore, with datalinks as with AESA radars, we will probably invisible warfare between aircraft. AESA radars trying to jam or fry the other guys electronics, while datalinks or ew suites trying to jam but also insert malware into the other’s network.
The design and manufacturing of fighter jets is not simply a matter of piling up technologies, but rather a highly precise discipline of product engineering. It is first based on the constraints of the customer's usage requirements, then selects appropriate technologies from a pool of available options, and finally combines them into a precisely coordinated technological complex.
In this process, any change in one parameter can potentially lead to wider-ranging changes. This is something that many military enthusiasts often overlook. People always want to incorporate all the best technologies, but often ignore the interconnected changes they cause to other parameters.
Regarding your question, I cannot give you an accurate answer. I can only give you my personal feeling (a very strong personal feeling, not entirely rational).
Stealth design is one of the key performance indicators for modern fighter jets, but it is not the most crucial one. We need to find a certain balance in this factor.
The risks of "stealth technology." Fighter jet stealth design is a relative attribute, not an absolute one. Stealth and anti-stealth are two opposing technologies that are constantly evolving. Modern anti-stealth technology is developing rapidly. In the future, to what extent will "stealth fighter jets" be able to remain invisible? And to what extent will anti-stealth technology develop? No one can guarantee the answer.
What if, and I mean *if*, at some point in the future, hundreds of thousands of low-Earth orbit internet satellites were secretly equipped with a large number of sensors for military reconnaissance? This could create a completely seamless, gapless "eye in the sky." Simultaneously, these satellites would be supported by a network of AI computing clusters with incredible processing power. In that scenario, what "stealth weapons" could possibly escape their observation and tracking? ------ If we invest too heavily in the "stealth capabilities" of fighter jets at this stage, it will lead to immeasurable losses if such a situation arises in the future. (This doesn't mean we shouldn't invest at all, but rather that we need to balance our investments.)
Regarding electronic warfare, it also follows a trend of cyclical development.
In short, current advancements in weapons development by various countries do not necessarily translate into superiority in actual combat. True leadership is based on a solid foundation of technology and industry, and the ability to adapt and respond quickly.
