T-50

Description: The Future Tactical Aviation Concept (PAK FA or Prospective/Promising Aircraft System of the Frontline Aviation) was disclosed by the Russian Air Force in early 2002 as the program aimed at providing the fifth generation fighter. The PAK FA stealth fighter aircraft will have a maximum takeoff weight of 35 tons and a combat radius of more than 1,700 kilometers. It will be fitted with integrated avionics, state-of-the-art sensors and new weaponry. The estimated cost of each airplane will not exceed $30 million (equivalent ot USD in year 2002) being affordable for many export customers and the Russian Air Force. The T-50 prototype was powered by the 117S engine developed for the Su-35 4+ generation fighter aircraft. The eight T-50 prototypes are being used for testing technologies, engineering solutions, weapons and sensors that will available for the production combat aircraft.

In early 2006, The Russian Air Force stated that the PAK FA first prototype, called the I-21, maiden flight was planned for the end of 2006 after surpassing wind tunnel tests. The aircraft's avionics and engines were already on display during Moscow Air Show in 2005. In August 2007, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the first pre-production aircraft would be assembled in the near future and would take to the air in 2008. The PAK FA development cost has been estimated at $20 billion In a statement released on September 29, 2008, in New Delhi both India and Russia agreed on the development of two versions of the fifth-generation fighter. The Russian version will be a single-seat fighter while Indian version will be a two-seat aircraft featuring a different wing, radar and avionics to meet the Indian Air Force air superiority doctrine requirements. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be responsible for the development of the Indian version while Sukhoi/UAC will take responsibility for the Russian fighter.

The Russian fifth generation fighter primary role will be air-to-air engagements with secondary ground/surface attack capabilities. The PAK FA T-50 prototype carried out its maiden flight on January 29, 2010, with an intended entry into service date by 2016 or 2017. About 300 fifth generation fighters would be produced for the Russian Air Force between 2015 and 2025. Final specifications remain uncertain, but Russians hope to match US Air Force F/A-22 Raptor and F-35 capabilities while outperforming Typhoon, Rafale and Gripen multi-role fighters. As of 2014, it seems that the PAK FA T-50 will outperform all of them by far in the air-to-air role. According to Sukhoi the fifth-generation fighter will feature high maneuverability, stealth and supersonic cruise speed with the ability to use guided-precision air-to-surface weapons to destroy ground- and sea-based targets. The assembly line will be located at Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft-manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East.