Russia tests 5th-gen fighter jet

[Shin Orochi]

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Jan 29, 2010

Russia tests 5th-gen fighter jet

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The Sukhoi T-50 prototype took to the skies for a 45-minute flight at an airfield in the Far Eastern city of Komsomoslk-on-Amur on Friday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

<!-- story content : start --> MOSCOW - RUSSIA'S new fifth-generation stealth fighter made a successful maiden test flight on Friday, the manufacturer said. The Sukhoi T-50 prototype took to the skies for a 45-minute flight at an airfield in the Far Eastern city of Komsomoslk-on-Amur on Friday, Sukhoi spokesman Alexei Paveshchenko told The Associated Press. Russian officials have spent two decades trying to build a fifth-generation fighter. They hope the T-50 will challenge the US F-22 Raptor, which first flew in 1997. Friday's successful test of the plane, reportedly developed in partnership with India, comes as a relief. A series of failures on high-profile weapons projects has blighted Russia's attempts to modernize its rusting Soviet-era arsenals. The specifications and design of Russia's new fighter have been shrouded in secrecy. Russian news agencies reported the plane has a 5,500-kilometre (3,400-mile) range. Officials have expressed hope that the T-50 will enter service in 2015. -- AP

 

[Shin Orochi]

Russia unveils top secret new fighter


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Posted: 29 January 2010 1731 hrs
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A Russian-made Sukhoi T-50 prototype fifth-generation fighter jet is seen at a test airfield near the Siberian city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia. </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
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MOSCOW - Russia on Friday unveiled a new fighter aircraft touted as a rival of the US F-22 stealth jet and developed amid the highest secrecy as part of a plan to modernize the armed forces.

The fifth generation fighter, manufactured by the Sukhoi company and known as the PAK FA, made a maiden flight of just over 45 minutes at the firm's home base of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Far East region.

"The flight lasted 47 minutes during which all the aircraft's systems were tested. It was successful," Sukhoi spokeswoman Olga Kayukova told AFP. "This is the first time it has been unveiled."

Pictures broadcast on state television showed the fighter jet -- which has been kept closely under wraps for years -- flying at altitude and then landing on a snow-surrounded runway.

"The aircraft performed well in all stages of the flight programme.
It is easy and comfortable to pilot," said Sergei Bogdan, the pilot for the flight, in comments published on the Sukhoi website.

The new jet has the capability of carrying out long flights above the speed of sound as well as simultaneously attacking different targets. Russia is currently embarking on a major programme to re-equip its military, not least the air force which is still using largely Soviet-era equipment and suffers from frequent crashes.

The new fighter, which has been in development since the 1990s, is due to enter the armed forces in 2015, Russian news agencies said. The first flight of the PAK FA (Prospective Aviation System of Frontline Aviation) is being seen in Russia as a major boost for the military after the project was hit by repeated delays over the last years.

"There is no doubt that the plane is needed," the ex-commander of the Russian air force, Anatoly Kornukov, told the Interfax news agency. "Our Su-27 and MiG-29 planes are good but have aged. They are 20 or more years old and it's time to have something as a replacement," he said.

He said the new plane could easily stand comparison with the US F-22, also a fifth generation stealth fighter. "It's going to be no worse than an F-22. I've been in an F-22 and I know."

Russia's campaign to modernize its military has been marred by repeated setbacks with new equipment, above all a string of failed tests of its new Bulava sea-based intercontinental nuclear-capable missile.

- AFP/ir


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[singveld]

russian high tech fighter are piece of junk.
their engine does not last.
their electronic are ancient relic.
their missile are not reliable.
just a suicide box.

 

[1sickpuppy II]

Hmm from the front view that looks quite like the F22 Raptor.

 

[GoFlyKiteNow]

US' F-35 bait is too tempting for India to resist

In a clear sign of the growing defence cooperation between India and the US, Washington has indicated its willingness to transfer high- technology weaponry to India. Reports said the US could agree to technology transfer of the fifth generation joint strike fighter F-35. Lockheed Martin's vice-president for Business Development Rob Weiss told agencies after the meeting with Indian officials that they had indicated that the F-35 was ready to be in the reckoning for India's fighter needs beyond the induction of the 126 Multi-role Combat Aircraft.

Reports said a top-level team from Lockheed Martin met the Indian Air Force brass to convey that the F-35 Lightning-II - single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter - was available for IAF's fifth generation fighter requirements.

The IAF, which is not inclined on the Sukhoi-led T-50 programme, is of the view that a low-cost fifth-generation fighter should be deployed for meeting the challenges in its neighbourhood. New Delhi has been in negotiations with Moscow for joint development and investment in next-generation fighters.

 

[singveld]

the russia look very similar to F-22 on the video.

 

[GoFlyKiteNow]

Hmm from the front view that looks quite like the F22 Raptor.

Specifications

Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications are preliminary.

Primary user
Russian Air Force
Indian Air Force

Program cost US$8-10 billion ]
Unit cost US$100.0 million
Variants Sukhoi/HAL FGFA

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 22 m ()
* Wingspan: 14.2 m ()
* Height: 6.05 m ()
* Wing area: 78.8 m² ()
* Empty weight: 18,500 kg ()
* Loaded weight: 26,000 kg ()
* Useful load: 7,500 kg (combat load) ()
* Max takeoff weight: 37,000 kg ()
* Powerplant: 2× New unnamed engine by NPO Saturn[34],[40]

Performance

* Maximum speed: 2600 km/h (at 20,000 m altitude)
* Cruise speed: 1,300 km/h
* Range: 4,000-5,500 km ()
* Service ceiling: 20,000 m ()
* Rate of climb: 350 m/s ()
* Wing loading: 330(normal) - 470(maximum) kg/m² ()
* Thrust/weight: 0.84-1.19

Armament

* Guns: 2x30mm
* Hardpoints: 8 internal, 8 external for R-74 Archer and R-77 Adder missiles

Avionics
N050(?)BRLS AFAR/AESA

The Russian Air Force intends to begin the induction of FGFA from 2015.

India is expected to induct at least 250 combat jets, which would be manufactured by HAL India - the nodal partner of Sukhoi in the project.
.