Russian Air Force begins Sukhoi T-50 trials
The Russian Armed Forces began to accept into service the first fifth-generation aircraft, the T-50 (PAK FA), announced Yury Slyusar, head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), on January 30 during an interview on the TV channel Russia-24.
The PAK FA will be subjected to qualification testing directly in the service of the armed forces. Currently, all T-50 prototypes are being tested in special flight centers. Mass delivery of the aircraft to the armed forces is expected in 2016.
The T-50 differs from the 4 and 4++ generation of jet fighters, with the presence of modern radar stations (RLS), which can detect “stealth” technology aircraft. In addition, there is the Himalaya electronic warfare complex and an arsenal of precision weapons, which are also undergoing a series of tests together with the airplane.
The new aircraft is invisible to enemy radar: the aircraft manufacturers at Sukhoi succeeded in significantly reducing the PAK FA’s radar cross section – the basic characteristic that makes aircraft visible to radars.
According to the Air Force Commander Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev, the new Russian plane concedes nothing to the American F-22.
UAC President Yury Slyusar noted that in 2015, the UAC will achieve maximum capacity for the production of combat aircraft. According to RIA Novosti, the Defense Ministry, the customer of military products, this year expects to receive combat, strategic, military transport, and special aviation equipment.
