Russian T-50 fighter debuts at air show

The Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation stealth fighter, which Russia is jointly developing with India, made its public debut at a Moscow airshow on Wednesday.

The T-50 resembles Russia’s best-selling Su-30 fighter jet but will have all its weapons hidden inside its body and wings to avoid radar detection and will fly at supersonic cruising speeds. The aircraft will also boast ultra manoeuvrability and high-technology avionics.

The Russian Air Force will begin testing the Perspective Frontline Aviation Complex, as the plane is called in Russia, in 2013 and will start inducting its mass-produced version from 2014, said the Russian Air Chief at the show.

Wikipedia on the Sukhoi PAK FA fighter

Sukhoi director Mikhail Pogosyan has projected a market for 1,000 aircraft over the next four decades, which will be produced in a joint venture with India, 200 each for Russia and India and 600 for other countries

India and Russia are jointly designing two versions of the plane — a single-seater for the Russian Air Force and a two-seat version for the IAF. India will contribute about 30 per cent of the total design in the project, including composite components with the stealth function and some avionics, electronic warfare systems and cockpit displays. The total cost of the project is estimated at $10 billion.

The Indo-Russian fighter jet is expected to rival the U.S. F-22 Raptor and will cost just over half its price — less than $100 million apiece.

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 19.8 m (65.9 ft)
Wingspan: 14 m (46.6 ft)
Height: 6.05 m (19.8 ft)
Wing area: 78.8 m2 (848.1 ft2)
Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,785 lb)
Loaded weight: 26,000 kg (57,320 lb)
Useful load: 7,500 kg (combat load) (16,534 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,570 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × New unnamed engine by NPO Saturn and FNPTS MMPP Salyut of 175 kN each. Prototype with AL-41F1 of 147 kN each, definitive version with new engine >157 kN
Fuel capability: 10,300 kg (22,711 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 2,100 – 2,500 km/h (Mach 2+) (1,300 – 1,560 mph) ; at 17,000 m (45,000 ft) altitude
Cruise speed: 1,850 – 2,100 km/h (1,150 – 1,300 mph)
Ferry range: 5,500 km[68] (3417 miles)
Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,616 ft)
Rate of climb: 350 m/s (68,900 ft/min)
Wing loading: 330(normal) – 470(maximum) kg/m2 (67(normal) – 96(maximum) lb/ft2)
Thrust/weight: 1.19
Maximum g-load: 10-11 g

Armament

Guns: None on prototype. Apparent provision for a cannon (most likely GSh-301). Possible two 30 mm cannons.
Hardpoints: Two internal bays Other sources suggest two auxiliary internal bays for short range AAMS and six external hardpoints

If you liked this article, please give it a quick review on ycombinator or StumbleUpon. Thanks