Sukhoi PAK FA

[nandu]

Russian Air Force to buy over 60 fifth-generation fighters

The Russian Air Force will receive more than 60 fifth-generation fighters from 2015-16, the force commander said on Tuesday.

"The Air Force will start taking delivery [of fifth-generation fighters] in 2015-16. The preliminary number is over 60," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said.

He also said the first batch of new fighters would be provided with older, "non-fifth" generation engines.

In mid-June Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin observed the 16th test flight of a prototype fighter.

Deputy Defense Minister for Arms Procurement Vladimir Popovkin said the Defense Ministry would purchase the first 6 to 10 aircraft after 2012, based on the outcome of initial tests. He said the fighter will be superior to similar U.S. models.

The prime minister said 30 billion rubles (around $1 billion) had already been spent on the project and another 30 billion would be required to complete it, after which the engine, weaponry and other components would be upgraded.

He said the fighter would have a service life of 30-35 years, if modernization and upgrades are factored in, and would be around three times cheaper than its foreign analogs

Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II.

Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The country's top military officials have said the stealth fighter jet with a range of up to 5,500 km should enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

The PAK FA is to be armed with next-generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship missiles, and has two 30-mm cannons.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100713/159797767.html

 

[bhramos]

artistic concept

its a very old image.
pls check this thread: http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/showthread.php/4537-5th-Generation-Fighter-Pictures
their are more related images to it.

 

[nandu]

T-50 completes early flight and bench tests

Sukhoi has completed its preliminary flight and bench trials program for the T-50 PAK-FA fighter. Three airframes were built for the initial campaign, comprising one static aircraft (T-50-0), one flying prototype (T-50-1) and an avionics testbed (T-50-2). A display flight by T-50-1 on June 17 in front of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin marked the 16th time the aircraft had flown.

Russia has a stated requirement for up to 420 PAK-FA aircraft, which may become the Su-50 in service. This number would equip 10 air regiments, each with 36 frontline aircraft and six reserves. However, it is likely that this total will not be reached. India, meanwhile, has a requirement for 250 of what it calls the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).

India has yet to join the T-50 program, but it has stated that it intends to do so and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) will likely be given development work in the navigation, mission computer and other systems. FGFA is envisioned as a two-seater, but reports suggest that India could acquire single-seat T-50s pending development of the full FGFA configuration.

The T-50-1 was completed in the KnAAPO works at Dzemgi airfield near Komsomolsk-na-Amur. The first taxi tests were performed last December and high-speed tests were conducted in late January in preparation for the first flight. The maiden 47-minute sortie was flown on January 29 with Sergey Bogdan at the controls.

The aircraft flew again in early February to compete initial basic airworthiness and systems tests before being disassembled for transport to Moscow. On April 8 an Antonov An-124 Ruslan carried it to the Gromov Flight Research Institute at Zhukovsky, together with flight support equipment. The aircraft flew again from its new home on April 29.

Further T-50s will be constructed to support the flight test program, which Putin announced would encompass more than 2,000 flights. Initial production is scheduled to begin at KnAAPO in 2015, with limited service-entry to take place that year as well.

T-50 Technology
Sukhoi's T-50 embodies a high degree of new technology and is intended to provide a "fifth-generation" capability in an aircraft that is considerably cheaper to produce than the Lockheed Martin F-22, its closest rival. Low observability in the forward hemisphere is a key driver in the T-50 design, which, in planform at least, resembles that of the F-22. The forward areas feature faceting (smooth, polished surfaces) and the design incorporates advanced radar-absorbent materials and coatings. The intake trunks are of serpentine shape, but whether they completely shield the engine compressor face and whether they incorporate some form of radar blocker has been the subject of considerable debate.

The engines themselves are the NPO Saturn 117, derived from the 117S intended for the Su-35BM. The first of these engines flew in the left-hand bay of the T-10M-10 (an Su-35 testbed) on January 21 this year, shortly before the T-50's first flight. The engines incorporate 16-degree all-axis thrust vectoring, which combined with the relaxed stability and fly-by-wire controls confers outstanding maneuverability on the T-50. It is widely accepted that the T-50 will not match the Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter in terms of all-aspect stealthiness, but it is expected to be more agile. NPO Saturn and MMPP Salyut are working together on a definitive engine for the T-50, in the 16- to 16.5-metric-ton thrust class (that is, up to 36,375 pounds thrust).

An innovative feature of the T-50 is its SH121 radar complex from NIIP Tikhomirov. This comprises the N050 main array in the nose, with more than 1,500 transmit/receive modules, plus two side-facing X-band arrays in the lower forward fuselage sides. Conformal L-band arrays are mounted in the leading-edge root extensions. T-50-1 does not have radar fitted, but it does have a dummy infrared search-and-track turret installed. In service this is expected to be a development of the OLS-35 developed for the Su-35BM.

In terms of avionics, the T-50 represents a major advance for a Russian fighter and it has been designed to take full advantage of datalink and sensor-fusion technology. In the cockpit the pilot has two very large multifunction displays mounted side-by-side, with an upfront controller for a wide-angle head-up display. Control is by a center stick that incorporates advanced HOTAS controls. The pilot will have a helmet-mounted sighting system, perhaps based on the ZSh-10.

In its air-to-air role, the T-50 will have a wide range of weapons available, from internal 30-mm cannon to 400-km missiles. The aircraft's huge internal bays can accommodate up to eight of the current Vympel R-77 active-radar missiles, but there are several developments under way to provide the PAK-FA with even more capable weapons.

Vympel is working on the Izdeliye 180/K-77M, a derivative of the R-77 with a double-pulse engine, new seeker and traditional tailfins in place of the R-77's "chip-slicer" lattice fins. The Izdeliye 180PB/K-77ME is an air-breathing ramjet version similar in concept to the Meteor, but it appears that the solid-propellant version–roughly equivalent to the AIM-120D AMRAAM–offers greater potential in a shorter time.

The PAK-FA is also expected to carry a class of weapon unique to Russia–
a very long range air-to-air missile (VLRAAM), with a range of around 400 kilometers. Two designs are in development for the T-50 application: Vympel's Izdeliye 810 and Novator's Izdeliye 172/K-100. The T-50 will also carry short-range weapons.

A range of air-to-ground weapons is also intended for the T-50, including a new generation of anti-radiation missiles such as the Kh-36 and Kh-58Ush, and a variety of laser- and EO-guided bombs and missiles. Many of them can be carried internally, but the T-50 also has four underwing hardpoints for the attachment of external pylons for operations when stealth is not an overriding factor. The "tunnel" between the engine trunks also provides the space to carry extremely large weapons, such as long-range anti-ship missiles.

http://idrw.org/?p=2523

 

[Crusader53]

Russian Air Force to buy over 60 fifth-generation fighters

The Russian Air Force will receive more than 60 fifth-generation fighters from 2015-16, the force commander said on Tuesday.

"The Air Force will start taking delivery [of fifth-generation fighters] in 2015-16. The preliminary number is over 60," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said.

He also said the first batch of new fighters would be provided with older, "non-fifth" generation engines.

In mid-June Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin observed the 16th test flight of a prototype fighter.

Deputy Defense Minister for Arms Procurement Vladimir Popovkin said the Defense Ministry would purchase the first 6 to 10 aircraft after 2012, based on the outcome of initial tests. He said the fighter will be superior to similar U.S. models.

The prime minister said 30 billion rubles (around $1 billion) had already been spent on the project and another 30 billion would be required to complete it, after which the engine, weaponry and other components would be upgraded.

He said the fighter would have a service life of 30-35 years, if modernization and upgrades are factored in, and would be around three times cheaper than its foreign analogs

Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II.

Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The country's top military officials have said the stealth fighter jet with a range of up to 5,500 km should enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

The PAK FA is to be armed with next-generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship missiles, and has two 30-mm cannons.

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100713/159797767.html

It's extremely unlikely that Russia could start to field PAK-FA's by 2015-16. As the design has much work left to do......Including Avionics, Engines, and Refined RCS. Nonetheless, what else can we expect for Russia. As they said the ex-Gorshkov would be ready by 2008!


BTW It's worth noting that many claim the PAK-FA is more of a demonstrator than a pre-production representative example. More like the T-10 was to the Flanker.

 

[nags_simha]

I feel Indian Govt should Start funding for MCA, Rather than tie up with Russians, on any day they would sell the tech to China. More ever the T-50 does not qualify as a true 5th Gen fighter. It lacks mainly in the RCS factor, at best it is 4.75 gen fighters. The RCS is not refined as seen in F 35. There are too many flare points on the T-50 Frame which could significantly contribute to major lobe reflections. Forget F 22 using radar to first detect T-50, It would be detected by AWACS and info passed on to f 22 loitering secretly. I don't understand the concept of Russians designing 5th gen fighter with main emphasis being on Maneuverability which I feel is less significant in Present BVR engagements. The main emphasis on 5th gen fighter is stealth and superior avionics. It took Russians 20 years to come up with answers for American ATF program. 20 years is long enough to come up with design that is ahead of F22- rather what we see here is a compromise with stealth for Maneuverability. Also T-50 carries fewer missiles than F 22, most likely 4 missiles. The American YF22 won the ATF competition by miles ahead of its rival because the yf22 was more likely go ahead in production given the fact that that majority of its tech was proven. Techs like radar, Missile firing in supersonic regime etc. Yf23 was just a prototype and used an existing F15 cockpit for initial flight test. I doubt T-50 entering production in 2015...b coz it is similar to YF 23stage.. Its radar and avionics package is not yet fielded, Engine is not yet ready, major change in airframe is required to meet the RCS requirement of 5th gen fighter.

 

[SHASH2K2]

I feel Indian Govt should Start funding for MCA, Rather than tie up with Russians, on any day they would sell the tech to China. More ever the T-50 does not qualify as a true 5th Gen fighter. It lacks mainly in the RCS factor, at best it is 4.75 gen fighters. The RCS is not refined as seen in F 35. There are too many flare points on the T-50 Frame which could significantly contribute to major lobe reflections. Forget F 22 using radar to first detect T-50, It would be detected by AWACS and info passed on to f 22 loitering secretly. I don't understand the concept of Russians designing 5th gen fighter with main emphasis being on Maneuverability which I feel is less significant in Present BVR engagements. The main emphasis on 5th gen fighter is stealth and superior avionics. It took Russians 20 years to come up with answers for American ATF program. 20 years is long enough to come up with design that is ahead of F22- rather what we see here is a compromise with stealth for Maneuverability. Also T-50 carries fewer missiles than F 22, most likely 4 missiles. The American YF22 won the ATF competition by miles ahead of its rival because the yf22 was more likely go ahead in production given the fact that that majority of its tech was proven. Techs like radar, Missile firing in supersonic regime etc. Yf23 was just a prototype and used an existing F15 cockpit for initial flight test. I doubt T-50 entering production in 2015...b coz it is similar to YF 23stage.. Its radar and avionics package is not yet fielded, Engine is not yet ready, major change in airframe is required to meet the RCS requirement of 5th gen fighter.

looks like you have lots of classified info about T-50 . please let us know your source which provided you info about RCS of T50 or did you got hold of some top secret document?

 

[nags_simha]

my dear friend, I have no classified info with me. But if you carefully study the T 50 images you will see many Rcs flare points. To design a stealth frame one needs to reduce these flare points.
1. The canopy is not treated with a thin film transparent conductor.
2. Turbine blades are visible..
3.IRST sensor in the shape of sphere(Produces the same isotropic return in all directions) is a major contributor.
4.Gaps near the engine inlet and frame.
5. shabby work on rivets
6. Skin on the prototype is not perfectly smooth.
7. No edge alignment with respect to engine inlet.

 

[SHASH2K2]

my dear friend, I have no classified info with me. But if you carefully study the T 50 images you will see many Rcs flare points. To design a stealth frame one needs to reduce these flare points.
1. The canopy is not treated with a thin film transparent conductor.
2. Turbine blades are visible..
3.IRST sensor in the shape of sphere(Produces the same isotropic return in all directions) is a major contributor.
4.Gaps near the engine inlet and frame.
5. shabby work on rivets
6. Skin on the prototype is not perfectly smooth.
7. No edge alignment with respect to engine inlet.

Its just a prototype and there will be a lot of changes to the final plane design that will enter production. If thats the final plane that was supposed to enter into the service then we can start production now. Obviously we cannot compare T50 with F22 but overall it will be a good package.

 

[nags_simha]

You are right, but look in this angle. Yf22 was a perfect prototype, LM demonstrated in ATF competition its abilities like Weapon firing in supersonic regime, Weapons bay opening, firing missiles, closing within a second, Proven radar and avionics package, Super cruise etc. Yet it took 8 years to make the present F22 from YF 22. The T-50 what we see is a raw package. I presume it will at least require 10 years of further development before starting full scale production. I doubt 2016 AD unlikely date for procurement.
Moreover this is the first time Russians are fielding AESA radar on a fighter. This requires at least another couple of years to fine tune.

 

[SHASH2K2]

You are right, but look in this angle. Yf22 was a perfect prototype, LM demonstrated in ATF competition its abilities like Weapon firing in supersonic regime, Weapons bay opening, firing missiles, closing within a second, Proven radar and avionics package, Super cruise etc. Yet it took 8 years to make the present F22 from YF 22. The T-50 what we see is a raw package. I presume it will at least require 10 years of further development before starting full scale production. I doubt 2016 AD unlikely date for procurement.
Moreover this is the first time Russians are fielding AESA radar on a fighter. This requires at least another couple of years to fine tune.

I agree with you that we may not have t50fully ready by 2016 . regarding AESA I think mig 35 already have aesa on it .

 

[p2prada]

You are right, but look in this angle. Yf22 was a perfect prototype, LM demonstrated in ATF competition its abilities like Weapon firing in supersonic regime, Weapons bay opening, firing missiles, closing within a second, Proven radar and avionics package, Super cruise etc. Yet it took 8 years to make the present F22 from YF 22. The T-50 what we see is a raw package. I presume it will at least require 10 years of further development before starting full scale production. I doubt 2016 AD unlikely date for procurement.
Moreover this is the first time Russians are fielding AESA radar on a fighter. This requires at least another couple of years to fine tune.

The F-22 took so long primarily because of major technological hurdles they had to cross in the EMR department. AESA took the longest along with sensor fusion. The skin and aerodynamics were secondary in that respect.

Russian AESA will be ready by the time the prototypes enter serial production. The main problem is engine. Nothing else can delay the project except for engine.

 

[neo29]

F-22 is dead expensive in price as well as maintenance. 30 man hours of servicing for an hour of flight. Its like firing a shotgun once and deassembling and cleaning it and assembling it back. It may be successfully flying but practically its utter failure. In an event of war f-22 will suck the money out of its operators.
Pak-Fa wont face such a hiccup.

 

[Yogesh.b]

Pavel Felgenhauer also announced that iraq will kick allied ass

Pavel Felgenhauer also announced that russia is going to get its ass handed to them during the war with georgia.....

to be honest i am rather glad that Pavel Felgenhauer has criticised this plane ...now m pretty sure its gonna turn out to be one of the best

I think U.S. is always seems eager To compare amarican fire power with russia and wants to look superier from them, but in one line "if in nowdays russia give support to taliban as amarica gives them against soviat, how much time did NATO takes to run from there? Even they said they have greatest war machines".

 

[Crusader53]

F-22 is dead expensive in price as well as maintenance. 30 man hours of servicing for an hour of flight. Its like firing a shotgun once and deassembling and cleaning it and assembling it back. It may be successfully flying but practically its utter failure. In an event of war f-22 will suck the money out of its operators.
Pak-Fa wont face such a hiccup.

Your dreaming............Russia's record on Serviceability, Life Cycle Costs, and Maintainability is poor compare to Western Standards.

 

[nags_simha]

F-22's complexity result in unprecedented levels of maintenance downtime. That further reduces numbers in the air. 185 F-22s will support about 120 deployed fighters. They will be lucky to generate 60 combat sorties per day, a laughable number in any serious air war. In World War II, the Luftwaffe could field only 70 of its revolutionary jet, the Me-262. It caused alarm among Allied pilots but had negligible effect on the air battle.Hope T-50 is better in this department.

 

[vikramrana_1812]

F-22's complexity result in unprecedented levels of maintenance downtime. That further reduces numbers in the air. 185 F-22s will support about 120 deployed fighters. They will be lucky to generate 60 combat sorties per day, a laughable number in any serious air war. In World War II, the Luftwaffe could field only 70 of its revolutionary jet, the Me-262. It caused alarm among Allied pilots but had negligible effect on the air battle.Hope T-50 is better in this department.

yes it is alarming that only 185 F-22's are there in service... but the equation is not that in case of war all of these will fly in sorties..but instead F-35's will accompany them and USA is going to make thousands of them. it is a very deadly combination of F-22/F-35 together....Any airforce in the world will not like to engage with them (CURRENTLY).....I want russia also to make similar tactics...Pak/FA with another single engine 5th generation fighter.....or else if russia is able to make 1000 + Pak/fa's then they are even with USA......but this will take many years.....

 

[neo29]

Your dreaming............Russia's record on Serviceability, Life Cycle Costs, and Maintainability is poor compare to Western Standards.

What you say its very true for Mig series. SU-30 series dont face such problems. T-50 should not face such problems. But F-22 has the same problems that you mentioned. Its likely F-35 will also face same problems. Russia may be behind in operating a 5th gen fighter, but are ahead in a stable 5th gen fighter technology.

 

[Crusader53]

F-22's complexity result in unprecedented levels of maintenance downtime. That further reduces numbers in the air. 185 F-22s will support about 120 deployed fighters. They will be lucky to generate 60 combat sorties per day, a laughable number in any serious air war. In World War II, the Luftwaffe could field only 70 of its revolutionary jet, the Me-262. It caused alarm among Allied pilots but had negligible effect on the air battle.Hope T-50 is better in this department.

Last I heard Russia and India plan on only 250 PAK-FA's each! So, 187 F-22 don't sound so bad...........Especially, considering the F-22 is likely to have better availablity rates. That is if history has anything to do with it. Plus, like another member already stated. The US will have thousands of F-35's to support them.

Let's also not forget Allied F-35's that would fight along the US in any major conflict.........

 

[Crusader53]

What you say its very true for Mig series. SU-30 series dont face such problems. T-50 should not face such problems. But F-22 has the same problems that you mentioned. Its likely F-35 will also face same problems. Russia may be behind in operating a 5th gen fighter, but are ahead in a stable 5th gen fighter technology.

The F-22 numbers will come down with time and the F-35 will far exceed both the F-22 and PAK-FA in Maintain Ability, Service Ability, and Life Cycle.

 

[nags_simha]

I presume T-50 will carry 4 missiles, 2 in first and 2 in rare bay. where as f22 will carry 6 missiles.Any comments..