The Clone Air Force is still introducing its 4th generation fighter the K45C into service but are already planning for what comes next. For completion the initial version of the K40 Ford is considered the Clones' 1st generation with the mid-production redesign (K40L onwards) the 2nd. The K45A and C are the 3rd and 4th generations.
For the 5th generation in the late 2120s the CAF could go for a clean sheet design. Stealth, agility and performance are of course high on the agenda but so is rough field and STOL (preferably VTOL) capabilities too. Some see the K45 Falcon as unable to achieve the latter easily and a new design may be preferable. If the technology has been matured sufficiently the new design could be an all-electric fuel cell design too though that may be a step too far.
Initial studies are taking place but it is unlikely that much will be made public about the new design (if at all) until the end of this decade.
