Russia Is Having Problems In Producing Their Own Stealth Fighters

Sukhoi T-50 fighter climbing after takeoff, 2011. Creative Commons

David Ace, Reuters: It’s Russia’s turn to learn that stealth warplanes are hard to do

After confronting serious technical and economic difficulties, Russia has dramatically cut back its air force program to field its first radar-evading “stealth” fighter jet. By delaying large-scale acquisition of the Sukhoi T-50 fighter, the Kremlin is tacitly acknowledging a truth that the U.S. military learned decades ago — and that China might also learn in coming years: developing stealth fighters is hard.

But fortunately for the Russian air force, and unfortunately for Washington and its allied air arms that are Russia’s chief rivals, Moscow has a backup plan. Instead of counting on a new stealth jet to outfit its fighter squadrons, the Russian government is buying heavily upgraded versions of older planes — an approach the Pentagon has dismissed as wasteful. It could, however, help Russia maintain its aerial edge.

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WNU Editor: There may be problems .... but the Russian air force is still slated to get their first T-50s in 2017 .... Russian Air Force To Receive First T-50 Fighter In 2017 (Defense World).