The final stage of state testing of PAK FA fighter was started - News - Russian Aviation - RUAVIATION.COM
State testing of T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter is entering its final stage; the jet demonstrates great performance and outmatches its foreign analogues, Vzglyad.ru reports with reference to Commander-in-Chief of the Russian air forces, Viktor Bondarev.
«The testing is in progress, it demonstrates great performance, the weapon system works great in terms of attacking both ground and air targets. The deliveries will be started next year; we are completing tests,» RIA Novosti cited Bondarev.
The Commander-in-Chief explained that the fighter would feature some stealth technologies, which is more important compared to speed (PAK FA’s maximum speed is over Mach 2). Missile is of great importance in terms of combat capabilities. «It is fitted with the latest equipment and weapons. Moreover, we are trying to implement all the latest solutions in this project,» the General added and noted that it’s possible in case no changes in the aircraft’s design are necessary.
«Of course, its capabilities outmatch everything that exists and will be developed in the near-term in the area of aircraft,» the Commander-in-Chief noted. «It will be as good as F-22 and F-35 jets. Moreover, it will outmatch these vehicles by many parameters,» he explained. Bondarev also said that the mass production of T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighters would be started in 2017. The number of purchased aircraft will depend on capabilities of the aircraft industry. «We are completing the jet’s testing and its mass production will be started in 2017. We are going to purchase as many vehicles as the enterprises can manufacture, because it's impossible to reach an output of 24 vehicles per year immediately. They produce four ones – we purchase four jets, they produce 10 ones – we purchase 10 fighters,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
Earlier Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov said that due to “new economic situation” the Ministry of Defense may reduce the number of purchased PAK FA fifth-generation fighters. Initially it was planned to purchase 10 PAK FA fighters and hand them over to military units for training and after that purchase another batch of 60 T-50 jets. T-50 (PAK FA) is the fifth-generation fighter fitted with a brand-new avionics suite and advanced radar with active phased antenna array.
It performed its maiden flight in January 2010 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. It was demonstrated for the first time at MAKS-2011 airshow held in Zhukovsky (Moscow Region). Three PAK FA prototypes took part in MAKS-2013 airshow: they have demonstrated formation flying. Compared to previous generation fighters PAK FA has a number of unique capabilities combining the functions of a strike-fighter and a fighter.
Components made of composites, cutting-edge technologies, the jet’s aerodynamic configuration and stealth technologies grant a very low thermal and optical signature. Stealth capabilities dramatically increase the fighter’s combat effectiveness. The jet is capable of destroying air and ground targets under any weather and lighting conditions, the company noted.
