© NPO Saturn
Posted on 04/24/2007 5:18:59 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Picture: Russian Sukhoi T-50 fighter images emerge
By Vladimir Karnozov
Powerplant maker's website reveals snapshot of possible configuration of fifth-generation PAK FA combat aircraft
Russian engine manufacturer NPO Saturn's website has provided what appears to be a first glimpse of Russia's fifth-generation fighter under development as part of the PAK FA project.
NPO Saturn has been selected to supply engines for the Sukhoi T-50, which won the Russian ministry of defence's tender over a rival submission from RSK MiG.
The simplified image of the T-50 shows it to be a twin-engine design with a classic aerodynamic layout resembling the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor. However, its smaller horizontal and vertical control surfaces reflect the fact that the aircraft is expected to use vectored thrust for pitch, yaw and roll control.
The engine nozzles in the picture resemble those of the NPO Saturn Item 117A development engines revealed at the 2005 Moscow air show. Derivatives of the long-serving AL-31F, the powerplants have been redesigned with a new high-pressure compressor and higher-temperature turbine, to support an increase in reheated thrust.
The T-50's high thrust-to-weight ratio, coupled with vectored thrust, are designed to improve short-field performance, including operations from 300-400m (1,000-1,300ft) runways.
Sukhoi general designer Mikhail Pogosyan says the PAK FA falls between the Su-30 and smaller MiG-29, but "closer to the bigger aircraft". This suggests a take-off weight of 25-30t.
It is designed to carry weapons internally and be capable of supercruising (supersonic cruise without reheat), which requires a move away from the Su-30's "integral triplane" configuration to classic aerodynamics better suited to supersonic flight.
Earlier this month the T-50 passed its technical mock-up inspection, says deputy commander of the Russian air force and chief for aviation, Gen Aleksandr Zelin. "The PAK FA must fly in 2012," says Zelin. "The timeframe set earlier remains valid. We are working to complete the work on time."
Sukhoi says it is completing T-50 drawings with a view to producing the aircraft at the KnAAPO and NAPO production plants. KnAAPO will lead the industrial phase, with NAPO a major supplier. NAPO general director Fiodor Zhdanov says his plant will make the nose section. "The airplane will have many parts made of carbon plastic," he says.
© NPO Saturn
Raptor bait.
ping
Yet again - the Russian role out another very “original” design.
Can you say “design theft”?
ping
Umm,if matching performance parameters are the main criterion,shouldn’t designs be similar??
A Raptorski.
Yah, mebbe. But remember, this craft probably isn’t intended to go up against the Raptor. It’s a dogfighter, to go up against the F-16s, Tornados, and other previous-generation craft used by 2nd-world countries. In that capacity, it should do rather well. The fact that the Russians can build an aircraft using ‘80s technology that can even be mentioned in the same sentence as the Raptor says a lot about their capabilities.
Ilyushins aside, the Russians aren’t the half-a$$ed designers that many other 2nd-world countries seem to be. They might do the job with brute force rather than finesse, but their stuff works (most of the time). Examples: The T-34 tanks (and later models too), the AK rifle, most of the MiG and Sukhoi aircraft; heck, their space station has been up a lot longer than ours has, and still sort of work. I may not like the Russian government, or the purpose of these weapons, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of respect.
I wonder what big mouth congressperson sold the plans.
Actually the Russian 5th gen. fighter is meant to be in the “same class” as the F-35 & Raptor.Don’t know how good(or bad) it really will be,but that’s the intention & that’s why they are this late given their weak economy.The SU-27/Mig-29 series are what they have had to take on the aircraft you mentioned.
Are the F-35 and the Raptor supposed to be the same class? I could see that Russian plane being in the same class as the -35 (at least theoretically), but the 22 has all sorts of technology that won’t see the inside of a -35 airframe for at least another generation.
The Soviets started work on a counter to the Advanced Tactical fighter(which developed to be the F-22) in the late 80s itself.It was called the Mig 1.42 & had many of the capabilities that the Raptor had-but far higher Radar cross section.That project has probably been cancelled.
....Duke ????
I have no idea - just throwing that out there
Stealth/internal carriage/advanced networking capability along with supercruise capability(Raptor only) are what the Russians seem to have in mind.All that still needn’t make it anywhere as good as a Raptor,but it will still be ahead of the rest.
Putin is as dangerous as a rattlesnake IMHO, and is definitely no friend of the US. I don't trust him any more than I did any of the USSR bigwigs during the cold war. I believe it's only a matter of time until Russia under Putin drops the false democratic facade and joins forces with the Islamic fanatics to challenge the US-Israel alliance in the middle east.
Yeh sure - just like a Kalashnikov and M-16 look similar?
No no - this is another example of industrial espionage - plain and simple.
The Russian have not had an original idea since the Kalashnikov.
This looks like something for the arms markets. If we don’t sell the Raptor, the “needy” nations will buy the Raptorsky.
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