AIR & COSMOS N2434 19 december 2014
RUSSIAN TRUMP CARD
THE PAK FA, FUTURE 5TH GEN FIGHTER IN RUSSIAN AIR FORCE, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SOME DELAYS ON THE CALENDAR AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS.
The Russians took a long time to design and develop fifth-generation fighter. They started in 1986, when the Soviet government launched two programs, the heavy fighter MFI and LFI light fighter, both controlled the office of Mikoyan studies. But when the Soviet Union collapsed, the two studies were arrested. The prototype MiG 1.44 realized only two flights in
2000. In 1997, Sukhoi built on equity, Su 47 Berkut, experimental wing inverted arrow. The unit had more than 200 flights.
I-21, HUNTER XXI CENTURY.
The next cycle of studies, based on the program of the new fighter in the PAK FA (Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsii or air complex future tactical aviation), the 1-21 (Istrebitel, hunter twenty-first century cen) began in about 1998. on 26 April 2002 the T-50 Sukhoi project was declared the winner by the government committee, as part of the PAK FA competition. MiG and its E-721 project were removed. On 21 July 2003, Sukhoi obtained from the Ministry of Defence development & research contract baptize Stolitsa, covering the design, construction and testing of prototypes of the T-50 fighter. In October 2004. Sukhoi revealed to the Russian Air Force the preliminary design of the T-50, which was approved two months later.
Up to now, the plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur built five devices for testing, the first flew on January 29, 2010. The sixth and final is expected for 2015. The 100th flight of the T-50 was conducted November 3, 2011; the 500th flight on 14 August 2014. On 9 March 2011, the T-50-1 for the first time passed the sound barrier. July 14, 2012, The T-50-3 used his flight radar for the first time.The August 3, 2012, the T-50-2 made his first refueling
flight with an IL-78.
February 12, 2014, the T-50-2 prototype was transferred to the test center in flight Akhtubinsk, Ministry of Defence, that Sukhoi did not fail to announce with pride. Until then, all tests were performed
the test center Zhukovsky. However, three months later, the plane discreetly returned to Zhukovsky. The purpose of the tests at Akhtubinsk is unknown to date, but it is certain that it was not weapons tests due to the lack of radar on the T-50-2 prototype. In May 20, 2014, the T-50 flew for the first time with fake missiles hanging from their pylons.
PROBLEMS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
During testing, the prototype T-50 were victims of some damages, including structural cracks. This is a result of the detection of the damage that the T-50-1 was immobilized between August 2011 and September 2012, in order to repair it. Different reinforcements subsequently appeared on cells of T-50. Many times, the devices experienced engine problems and landed with a jet engine stopped. On 10 June 2014, just after the landing of the T-50-5 in Zhukovsky, "smoke appeared over the right of return air, then a small fire was seen" according to the press release by Sukhoi. Damage was extensive. The device is currently being repaired - a team coming from the plant in Komsomolsk cares. The plane should fly again in 2015. The plant Komsomolsk-on-Amur began production of another batch of six jets, T-50-7 to T-50-12. But the frames used in the construction of these devices have changed, meaning that significant structural improvements will be introduced there. Particularly as rumors circulate a new tail and new wing panels. The first of these improved jets should fly in fall 2015.
SUPERSONIC CRUISE AND HANDLING.
The T-50 is able to move at supersonic speed without afterburner. It can also maneuver and fight at that speed. The device has an integrated fuselage, generating lift, and deep wing roots whose ends are home to leading edge slats. In this way, the center of pressure can be moved forward, increasing static instability, which enables high maneuverability at supersonic speed, even more than previous hunters.
If one believes Sukhoi, radar cross is reduced to an average of 0.3-0.4 m2, compared to that of 15 m2 with a Su-27. The solution to reduce the radar signature is to transport weapons in the hold. Other devices located in the air intake reduce radar reflection. The design of the plane has been adapted to reduce the number of electromagnetic wave reflection directions. Some air inlets and other openings in the plane were covered with grates having a mesh size smaller than a quarter of the wavelength of the radar "attacker" (which is X-band), which reduces the reflection of these surfaces. The gaps between the components of the fuselage were capped with a conductive gasket. The canopy is metallized. Materials and radar absorbing paints are used.
THE BRAIN.
Unlike Americans who develop two fifth-generation fighters - the heavy fighter F-22 air superiority and light attack aircraft F-35 Lightning II - the Russians decided to have only one type new jet. Thus, the first requirement is versatility: the device must be able to attack all target types, whether air or land. This will be achieved through a multitude of sensors which inform the pilot and with a range of guided munitions.
All systems and controls and sensors are coupled by a central computer. These systems include radio equipment Sh 121 and the optical sensor 101KS and navigation systems, communication, display. The consulting firm Sukhoi is responsible for the integration of equipment, which is new since, in the past, the fire control and navigation systems on Sukhoi fighters were in the business of RPBK Ramenskoe.
RADAR.
Radio-electronic equipment Shl21 includes active antenna radar N036 Byelka (squirrel) manufactured by the Institute Tikhomirov NIIP and the system of measures against L402 Gimalai (Himalayas), designed by Knirti institute. The N036 radar has five active antennas: the antenna works before X-band (centimeter). Oval, with dimensions of approximately 90 cm long and 70 cm wide, it includes 1552 modules. Two other smaller antennas are located to either side with 358 units each, and two L-Band antenna (Decametric) are mounted on the edges of airfoil attack. The use of the L-band radar in air-air mode is the primary means of T-50 to detect stealth targets with radar longer than X-band, where the reduction of the equivalent surface radar is optimized. The GRPZ plant in Ryazan is preparing for the series production of the N036 radar, whose modules made from materials provided by NPP Istok in Fryazino (X-band) and NPP Pulsar in Moscow (L-band). The X-band modules are made from gallium arsenide, while those in L band are silicon based. The system of electronic measures against Knirti L402 Gimalai (Himalayas) has its own antennas (for example, in a "sting" large, located between the engine nozzles). In the same range of frequencies used by the radar, it uses those of N036.
SELF PROTECTION.
Optronic equipment 101 kS Atol, manufactured by UOMZ in Yekaterinburg, consists of warning sensors and systems. In front of the cockpit, is the infrared detector
101KS-V, while the other two lasers infrared sensors
101KS-0 are dedicated to the upper and lower hemispheres. Finally, four missile warning sensors (Maws) cover the entire sphere around the jet. Two of them, the 101KS-U / 02 have the shape of a house with two windows, one dedicated to the sector front & the rear sector One of them is located under the fuselage at the front, and the other on the upper surface of the dart, mounted between the two nozzles engines. The other two U-101KS / 01 are mounted on either side of the fuselage, just aft of the cockpit. A pod of target-designation navigation
101KS- N is also being developed for the PAK FA The final configuration of the Atoll equipment is not clarified. The arrangement and the type of sensors vary between prototypes of T-50, and tested configurations differ with respect to each other.
ARMAMENT.
The T-50 has two large bomb bays of 4.6 x 10 m, which is transported in the basic armament. They occupy the whole length of the ventral surface of fuselarge.Each bay can hold two armaments up to 700 kg each. One can find four average air-air missiles K-77M, long-range missiles izdeliye ^ 810, the anti-radar missiles Kh-58UShK and guided munitions such as the Kh-38M or KAB-250. . For close air combat, the PAK FA has two K-74M2 missiles placed in side bays near the wing roots. For missions that do not require stealth, the device can have up to four pylons under the wings for armaments that can not be placed in the internal bay
TURBOJET: TODAY AND TOMORROW
Current jet is powered by two turbofan Saturn AL-41 F1 (izdeliye 117) Thrust Vector, each providing 14.5 tonnes of thrust.
The 117 is a huge optimization of AL-31 F, which powers the Su-27 / Su-30, with a large diameter fan, new high and low pressure turbines, a combustion chamber and a new FADEC integrated into the control system of the engine.
Vladislav Masalov, CEO of United Engine Corporation, said in early December that 23 engines have been produced so far, the tests to be completed by the end of 2016."No problem should occur during these tests since the 117 is similar to the already qualified 117S which powers the Su-37, with the exception of the FADEC," he commented. The AL-41F1 (117) have powered T-50 fighter at least
until 2020, when the izdeliye 30 begin to be installed on mass produced jets. The development of the latter began in 2011. The first two prototypes hot sections should be assembled -
in late December 2014. The
first engine bench test should be done in 2016, while the first flight of a T-50 with a izdeliye 30 is planned for 2017.
UNIQUE DESIGN.
The izdeliye 30 is a newly designed engine, which is supposed to have more than 171 thrust, reduced weight, few components and a lower transaction cost. Its stealth equipment are to be introduced. The cold section of the engine will be a three-stage compressor (instead of the current four turbojet 117) and a single-stage turbine. The hot section (the gas generator) will have a five-stage compressor (instead of nine) and a single-stage turbine. In December 2014, Masabv said the izdeliye 30 will have a higher efficiency of 17-18% to the motor 117. According to the CEO of NPO Saturn Ilya Fedorov, with new engines, "the unit's performance will be significantly improved, especially in terms of speed and acceleration. "
The PAK FA program is delayed, which is not exceptional, in that the timing related to the hunter was not very realistic from the start. In 2010, it was stated that deliveries to military units begin in 2015
In the "business plan of the Russian Defence Ministry for 2013 -2020" validated initial operational capability and the launch of series production is planned for December 31, 2016. The National Russian weapons program mentions delivery 60 PAK FA in 2020, which is unrealistic. Deliveries will continue after 2020. Despite these problems, the PAK FA is promised to a great future. The technical problems will be solved when the jet would have the support of the Russian Air Force, funds from the Russian government and the first major foreign customer, India.
INDIA,
FUTURE CLIENT?
In January 2003, Russia and India signed a letter of intent command, followed in October 2007 an agreement
Intergovernmental for the development of the future multi-role fighter, known in India as the 5th generation fighter name. In December 2010, a contract for preliminary studies of the device, called type 79L, followed, jointly developed by Sukhoi and HAL in India, based on the T-50.Within this project, the unit's equipment were studied. Tikhomirov NIIP developed the N-079 radar, a Russian-Indian equivalent of the Russian N036. Many systems have received export designations with 79L suffix. such as UV-79L decoy launchers, the weapons pylons carrying RSUO-79L, etc. Signing a contract for expanded following the design of the device was expected for 2013, but negotiations are continuing.
COURTESY-DrSomnath999
thanks to me
P.S quite informative article i must say not bad at all what you guys think
there might be some error in translation in some part so plz pardon me for that