Russia Tests New Stealth Fighter

The newest fighter jet developed by the reputed constructor Sukhoi has just recently begun flight testing in the Russian Federation's far east. The aircraft, which was created in partnership with India, is a fifth-generation assault vehicle, and Russian officials say that it can easily rival the performances of its Western counterpart, the F-22 Raptor. The US fighter saw its first flight in 1997. According to the test pilot that first flew the new Sukhoi T-50, the aircraft handles superbly, and is very easy to maneuver.

According to the BBC News, the aircraft flew for roughly three quarters of an hour above the eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The test aircraft was controlled by pilot Sergei Bogdan, who revealed soon afterwards that the airplane was “easy and comfortable to pilot.” The T-50 is also known under its Russian designation as PAK FA. Officials in Kremlin and leaders of the Russian Air Force believe that the aircraft could become readily available for purchase no later than 2015.

Flight specifications of the new aircraft show that it can completely avoid the radar, while at the same time preserving the ability to fly continuously. The Sukhoi T-50 was designed with prolonged use and versatility in mind, so the manufacturer guarantees that the aircraft can successfully fly through several airborne refill stages. Engineers at the company also show that their new airplane can fly through all kinds of weather, while maintaining its cover. In addition, it can land or take off on airstrips that are 300 to 400 meters long. This is very useful if the aircraft is to be used on aircraft carriers.

The T-50 would “excel its Western rivals in cost-effectiveness and will not only allow strengthening of the defense power of the Russian and Indian air forces, but also gain a significant share of the world market,” Mikhail Pogosyan, the director of Sukhoi, said, quoted by the British news agency. The new aircraft is scheduled to replace the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker jets, which currently make up a significant portion of the Russian air force. The first models will feature two Saturn 117S engines, which are capable of delivering about 14.5 tons of thrust each, as well as simultaneous air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship attack capabilities.