¿Según quién?
Si para ser de 4ta generación hay que lanzar misiles BVR de guiado activo (descontando el R-27R/ER), las aeronaves no entraron en esta categoría hasta los 90. O sea, el F-15 fue de tercera generación hasta los 90.
NOT
"Generation 4: Pulse-doppler radar; high maneuverability; look-down, shoot-down missiles (F-15, F-16, Mirage 2000, MiG-29". Según
esta nota.
"Through the 1970s and 80s the trend of improvement in avionics such as head-up displays and optimised aerodynamic design continued with the development of ‘flyby-wire’ fighters such as the MiG-29, Su-27, F/A-18, F-15, F-16, and Mirage-2000. Most of this generation of fighters had the ability to both switch and swing roles between air-to-air and air-to-ground, as opposed to the previous role-dedicated aircraft. This in turn blurred the distinction between control of the air and strike missions."
Según este artículo.
"The next generation continued the trend towards multi-role fighters equipped with increasingly sophisticated avionics and weapon systems. These fighters also began emphasizing maneuverability rather than speed to succeed in air-to-air combat."
Según esto.