Posted on 05/03/2017 7:59:47 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Russia's new Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA fighter jet has just been given another ability – the means to destroy surface warships. Sputnik spoke to military expert Andrei Golovatyuk to find out whether it's now appropriate to add 'ship slayer' to the fifth-generation aircraft's list of capabilities.
On Wednesday, Russia's Izvestia newspaper reported that the Kh-35UE tactical cruise missile, an upgrade of the Kh-35 jet-launched subsonic anti-ship missile, has been incorporated into the Sukhoi T-50's array of potential armaments.
The weapon, capable of targeting and destroying everything from landing craft to aircraft carriers, as well as ground targets, including hard points, warehouses and even mobile military equipment, is able to bypass missile defense interceptor systems, as well as advanced electronic jamming, thanks to its dual-band active/passing homing guidance system.
It is the ability to target an array of ground-based targets, along with a shorter intake and folding wings, which distinguish the Kh-35EU from its predecessor.
Experts speaking to Izvestia said that the Kh-35UE's successful incorporation into the T-50's arsenal effectively turns it into a 'multifunctional fighting machine' whose characteristics go far beyond those of a mere fighter aircraft.
© PHOTO: PLISKIN
The Kh-35UE tactical cruise missile
Nikolai Vasilyev, chief designer of the Kh-35UE at the Korolev-based Tactical Missiles Corporation, told Izvestia that testing of the cruise missile on the T-50 has already been completed, with the weapon proving fully compatible with the plane's onboard equipment. When deployed, the cruise missile will be mounted underneath the T-50's wings.
Vasilyev also reminded the newspaper that the Kh-35UE has demonstrated itself effectively on the carrier-based variants of the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUBR fighter planes, and on the Ka-52 attack helicopter. Asked to comment on this development, Andrei Golovatyuk, a retired colonel and respected Russian military analyst, told Radio Sputnik that he found it unsurprising that the Kh-35UE, a universal cruise missile, has found its way into the T-50's arsenal.
The military analyst recalled that Russia's fifth-generation fighter uses the latest stealth and avionics technology, "and, accordingly, more modern armaments, both those that exist and those being developed by our engineers." Overall, "this is an airplane that's entering a new, fundamentally more advanced level," he said.
"As for the [Kh-35UE], it is simply unique," Golovatyuk added. For one thing, "this is a universal cruise missile, and can be placed on a variety of platforms –from ships, to airplanes, to helicopters, to coastal defense missile systems. In other words, the T-50 is considered as one of most promising platforms for this missile."
"What is the special know-how of this missile in combination with the T-50?" the analyst asked. "They can enter the target's zone of destruction without entering the perspective enemy's zone of air defense. The missiles are used according to the principle that upon launch, the missile instantly finds its target and independently directs itself toward it."
"In other words, the methodology here is 'launch it and forget about it'; the missile itself finds its target. Therefore the name 'slayer of ships' is in this case fully justified," Golovatyuk concluded.
Planned to be introduced into service with the Aerospace Defense Forces next year, the T-50, officially designated as a stealth air superiority fighter, is meant to eventually replace the Sukhoi Su-27 fourth-generation multirole fighter, in service with the Soviet and Russian militaries since the mid-1980s.
Since its first flight in the early 2010s, the T-50, part of the Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK-FA) program, has receiving a vast series of upgrades to its avionics, stealth and armaments. On Wednesday, United Aircraft Corporation General Designer Sergei Korotkov confirmed that engineers are busy working on the creation of a next-generation engine for the plane, one that boasts increased thrust and fuel efficiency, lower cost, and improved reliability compared to the existing engine.
With six machines expected to be delivered into the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces by next year, the military plans to equip the air force with about 55 T-50 fighters by 2020, with mass production beginning after that.
© SPUTNIK/
PAK FA (Advanced Tactical Air Sistem) T-50
It’s capabilities seem similar to the F-35 except it is faster. Also looks sleeker.
The Clinton blueprints certainly get around.
The Kh-35 is also called by some “harpoonskii”. AS-20 Kayak air launched, SS-N-25 Switchblade is the ship launched. Very similar to the RGM/AGM-84 Harpoon.
Closer to the F-22.
This type of treason will continue because the payout is rich and there is no accountability for the traitor.
This type of treason will continue because the payout is rich and there is no accountability for the traitor.
25 rounds per one second burst, out in 6 seconds.
best line up the shot well. But then, who gets close enough for cannon fire with these fast movers?
That’s great, but this is still a prototype aircraft without it’s final engines or canopy and probably some other stuff too.
Seeing as our newest yet to be fully deployed aircraft started development back in the 90’s 2 decades ago. Its bound to be nearly obsolete before it even makes it too far into the inventory.
As for their anti-ship capabilities. That is a real problem. The aircraft carrier while wonderful for little wars against 3rd world despots that don’t have satellites, a navy or a real air force.
In the modern world the aircraft carrier is a huge floating target. If we end up in a military conflict with China, Russia or really any first world power those 10 hugely expensive aircraft carrier which hold the vast majority of our fleet. Will either have to be kept at a useless distance from the enemy or will almost certainty end up at the bottom of whatever ocean they try to fight upon.
Between satellites, super sonic missiles, or even low tech swarm attacks the Aircraft carrier are extremely difficult and expensive to defend. We just don’t have the technical ability to deal with the raw numbers and accuracy that modern enemies can throw at us in the information age.
To make matters worse the Aircraft carrier’s primary utility is raptly being replaced by ever long range and cheaper drones and missiles.
Why park a big sinkable out near the enemy when you can just fire at them from home, or some other safe location.
That said the only safe location in today’s world is in hiding and right now only the submarine can really do that. The future of navy warfare with big nations is the submarine missile boat.
The Russians don’t need to spend a DIME on R&D.. Just hire a few good HACKERS or find ANY DEMONRAT with a security clearance of SECRET or higher.
Good. Now let’s sink some gimmegrant lifeboats and stop the islam surge.
F-22ski.
CC
Careful thats Phantom F4 designer / engineer thinking there ..... sucks to have to hang a 20mm gun pod as an afterthought.
But agree 8 to 12 AIM 120’s AMRAAM’s in a stealth locker is better than a gun in my opinion. Just hate the thought of my only “gun” is a 9mm in my survival vest.
Bttt
Bttt
The F-35’s gun doesn’t actually work, won’t work until 2018 or later because of software issues, and when it does work, it will only have 182 rounds. The Marines are fitting a gun pod to their version which has... 220 rounds.
Our F-35 will only carry 182 rounds. The GAU-22/A fires at 3600 rounds per minute. You do the math.
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