Russia Is Not Too Keen On Its Newest Jet Fighter

National Interest: Why Russia's New Su-57 Stealth Fighter Might Be a Giant Waste of Time

Russia’s Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA fifth-generation stealth fighter has been given the designation Su-57 as it nears production.

Initially, Moscow will only buy 12 Su-57 aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in 2019. Indeed, the Russian air force is not likely to buy more than 60 of the initial version of the Su-57 in total.

“In 2019, we should begin the delivery of a pre-production batch of [T-50] planes,” United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) chief Yuri Slyusar told the TASS news agency.

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WNU Editor: At least they are not facing an F-35 size headache.

Another Delay In Russia’s Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA Stealth Fighter Program

© Sputnik/ Alexei Druzhinin

Dave Majumdar, National Interest: Russia's New PAK-FA Stealth Fighter Has A Big Problem


Russia’s Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA stealth fighter program has suffered another delay. Testing of the of the powerful new jet’s second stage engine, which was supposed to start later this year, has been pushed back to 2018.

"At the moment, works are being carried out within the framework of contacts with the Russian Defense Ministry,” United Aircraft Corporation, Sergei Korotkov told the TASS news agency. “Flight tests are underway. We plan to enter the second stage of trials next year."

The new engine was expected to make its first flight installed onboard the PAK-FA in the fourth quarter of 2017. "The first flight of the aircraft with the new engine is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017," a United Engine Corporation spokesman told TASS earlier in the year.

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WNU Editor: This is interesting .... Why F-22 Would Crush Russia's PAK-FA in Fight (Scout Warrrior).

More News On Russia's New PAK-FA Stealth Fighter Program

Russia's New T-50 Stealth Air Superiority Fighter 'Needed' to Boost Tech -- Sputnik
Russia Begins Sukhoi T-50 Fighter Missile, Bomb Armament Tests -- Sputnik
Russian MoD to receive three T-50 fifth-gen fighters among aircraft deliveries in 2017 -- IHS Jane's 360
Russia's T-50 PAK jet to make maiden flight with new engine -- UPI
This is When Russia is Going to Start Churning Out Fifth-Gen T-50 Jets -- Sputnik

5 crucial questions about Russia's T-50 fifth generation jet fighter -- TBTH

Russia Defense Ministry Posts Video That Showcases Its Next Gen T-50 Fighter Jet

Sputnik: Russia Defense Ministry Unveils First Video of Amazing Next Gen T-50 Fighter Jet

The Ministry of Defense released incredibly footage of the next generation T-50 fifth generation fighter jet as well as a number of other high performance Russian aircrafts to celebrate Russia’s Aerospace Forces.

On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry published video footage of the PAK FA Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter jet to commemorate Russian Aerospace Force Day.

The super stealth fighter jet reaches a max speed of 1,516MPH (2,440kmh) with an astounding battle range of 3,418 miles with maneuverability and combat characteristics leading most defense analysts to deem the aircraft better than America’s F-22 Raptor which has long held the distinction as the most fearsome warplane to grace the skies.

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WNU Editor: The above video also highlights the MiG29KUB naval fighter, Yak-130 advanced jet trainer, Su-35S fighter, Su-33 naval fighter, Tu-95 strategic bomber as well as the Strizhi and Russkiye Vityazi aerobatic performance teams.

Who Would Win In A Dogfight Between Russia's PAK-FA Stealth Fighter vs. America's F-22 Raptor

National Interest: Russia's Lethal PAK-FA Stealth Fighter vs. America's F-22 Raptor: Who Wins?

Moscow vs. Washington for control of the skies. Who would win?

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Entering the ring today are the two ultimate stealth fighters of the day, the F-22 Raptor and the PAK FA T-50. The former has already completed its production run (or has it?), the latter will soon begin hatching from its industrial nest (or will it?)

Today we’ll consider which would have the upper-hand at various engagement ranges—blows long and short, all are permitted! And just to keep the audiences on its toes, we’ll examine the battle in backwards order, like in that one Seinfeld episode.

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WNU Editor: According to this writer .... Russia's T-50 should not be dismissed .... in fact .... it may even  be better stealth fighter.

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).

Russia's T-50 vs. America's F-22

Su-34 (left), T-50 (centre) and Su-35 (right) aircraft at the 2015 MAKS air show's opening ceremony in the Moscow suburban town of Zhukovsky. © SPUTNIK/ MIKHAIL VOSKRESENSKIY

Sputnik: PAK FA vs F-22 Raptor: If Stealth Isn't an Issue, T-50 'Holds the Edge'

Who would be victorious in an epic battle between Russia's first next-generation fighter jet, the Sukhoi PAK FA, and the US-built Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor?

It's a tough call since both fifth-generation aircraft have so much in common.

"Everything about the PAK-FA suggests that it is similar in concept to the Raptor – being optimized as a fast, high flying and stealthy air superiority fighter," defense analyst Dave Majumdar noted.

The Sukhoi PAK FA, also known as the T-50, and the F-22 Raptor have equivalent maximum speed (1,520 mph for the PAK FA and 1,500 mph for the F-22), range (2,175 miles for the PAK FA and 1,840 miles for the F-22) and service ceiling (approximately 65,000 feet for both models).

WNU Editor: Again ... the only way to really evaluate the capabilities of both aircraft is to have them both face each other in combat .... which I hope will never happen.

Russia Showed Off Its Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter At The MAKS Air Show This Week

Video: Russia Shows Off Stealth Fighter at MAKS Air Show

Russia showed off its fifth-generation stealth fighter this week at the MAKS air show outside Moscow, according to news reports.

The T-50 is one of several prototypes developed by Sukhoi, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corp., as part of the Russian air force’s PAK-FA program. The twin-engine fighter is designed to compete against such U.S. military aircraft as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, both of which are made by Lockheed Martin Corp.

The multi-role T-50 has been a regular at MAKS after making its first appearance at the biennial air show in 2011. Similar to previous appearances, it performed a series of stunts, including the Pougachev’s cobra, in which the pilot raises the nose of the aircraft beyond the vertical position while maintaining constant altitude; the kulbit, in which the pilot flies a tight loop; the dead leaf, in which the pilot performs a wing-level stall; and tail-dive, in which the pilot flies vertical until losing forward momentum and falls backwards, according to an article by the state-owned RT​.com.

WNU Editor: Here is some more info on Russia's new fighter .... Russia's Lethal Stealth PAK-FA T-50 Fighter: High Hopes, Big Price Tag (Harry J. Kazianis, National Interest).

Will Russia's Sukhoi T-50 Be A Tough Adversary For Both The F-22 And F-35 (Updated)

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WNU Editor: late last night I posted a story asking the question .... Can The U.S. Air Force's F-35 Defeat Russia's New Jet Fighter? Surprise .... surprise .... others are now asking the same question .... The Russian Sukhoi T-50 is going to be a tough adversary for both the F-22 and F-35. (Aviationist).

Can The U.S. Air Force's F-35 Defeat Russia's New Jet Fighter?

News.com.au: Video shows Russia’s next generation warplane, the T-50, being put through its paces

CAN Australia’s next generation combat jet beat this? Possibly not. Video footage of Russia’s new T-50 stealth fighter shows the extreme manoeuvrability the F-35 is up against.

Earlier this year a damning report from an F-35 test pilot revealed the troubled $400 billion dollar single-seat stealth fighter was easily outmanoeuvred by a two-seat 1980s vintage F-16D combat jet.

As recently as last week, the success of modern Russian designs appear to have won some vindication when Indian Russian-made Su-30 combat jets went toe-to-toe with British Typhoon fighters in a competitive training exercise: It was a 12-0 clean-sweep victory, in favour of the Indians.

The T-50 is the latest incarnation of Russian combat jet doctrine.

WNU Editor: The above Russian T-50 demonstration video reminds me of the U.S. Air Force's F-22. So the next question needs to be answered ... can the F-35 defeat the F-22? Interestingly .... if there has been an F-35 vs. F-22 war game scenario exercise/competition .... they have not published the results.

Is Russia's Fifth-Generation Fighter AS Good As America's F-35 or F-22?

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IBTimes: Russia Will Have 55 Stealth Sukhoi T-50 Fighters By 2020, But Are They As Good As The US Stealth Jets

Russia’s announcement this week that it will be operating a sizable contingent of its first stealth fighter, the Sukhoi PAK-FA (also known as T-50), by 2020 has intrigued from the defense world. The first deliveries will begin in 2016, and in four years' time the Russians will field 55 of the impressive-looking jet, which resembles closely the American F-22.

But the aircraft’s general stealth capabilities, and whether Russia truly has entered the small club of countries capable of producing stealth technology, are still debated. Only the U.S. has stealthy aircraft in service; China has flown prototypes.

WNU Editor: The U.S. military is banking on the F-35 as much as the Russians are dependent on developing their T-50fifth-generation fighter .... and on paper it appears that the T-50 can match what the F-22 can do.

Russia Scales Back Orders For It's Next-Gen Fighter

Fred Weir, CSM: Grounded? Russia's answer to US next-gen fighter hits the skids.

The Kremlin is cutting its initial production of the Sukhoi T-50 fighter by 75 percent amid cost overruns and rumored technical concerns – the same kind of issues that have plagued US development of the F-35.

Moscow — Russia's ambitious T-50 fighter plane project was meant to develop a rival to two futuristic US jetfighters, the F-22 Raptor and the planned F-35 Lightning-II.

But now, the T-50 appears to be rivaling the F-35 another way: in development troubles. The Kremlin is slamming the brakes on its "fifth generation" fighter program and cutting its initial rollout to a quarter of those originally planned.

The decision seems a setback for Vladimir Putin's sweeping $800 billion rearmament program, a vital component of the wider effort to restore Russia to its Soviet-era status as a major global superpower. However, the sharp slowdown in plans to procure the sophisticated new jet may represent an outbreak of wisdom on the part of Russian military chiefs, who will remember how the USSR was driven into bankruptcy by engaging in an all-out arms race with the US.

Update #1: Mass production of T-50 fighters to start in 2016 -- RBTH
Update #2: With the U.S. F-35 Grounded, Putin’s New Jet Beats Us Hands-Down -- Rob Garver, The Fiscal Times

WNU Editor: These new weapons programs are not cheap .... and the T-50 is the most expensive item on Russia's current procurement list.

Is Russia's Sukhoi PAK FA -50 'Superior' To America's F-22 Raptor?

Russian Sokhoi PAK FA Stealth Fighter Superior To U.S. F-22 Raptor In Many Important Ways -- Ground Report

Russia’s new fifth-generation Sukhoi PAK FA -50 (Russian: Перспективный авиационный комплекс фронтовой авиации) fighter jet performed its first demonstration flight at MAKS-2011 international air and space show in the town of Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

According to all reports the Sukhou PAK preformed admirably.

Spectators marveled as two T-50 jets appeared in the sky above Zhukovsky at 16:00 o’clock yesterday.

Among the dignitaries at the air show was Russian Prime Minister Putin, who inspected the aircrafts when they landed and shook hands with the Russian pilots.

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My Comment: Here is a general comparison chart of the two fighters and China's J-20.

Hat Tip: Naval Open Source Intelligence

Is Russia's T-50 The Jet That Will Outfly And Outshoot American Jets

Russia’s Stealth Fighter Could Outfly, Outshoot American Jets -- David Axe, War Is Boring

T-50 is fast, long-ranged and has fearsome new weapons

Since its public debut four years ago, Russia’s first stealth fighter has quietly undergone diligent testing, slowly expanding its flight envelope and steadily working out technical kinks. But for all this hard work there have been precious few indications just how many copies of the Sukhoi T-50 Moscow plans to build … and how it means to use them.

Until now.

Fresh reporting from Aviation Week’s Bill Sweetman, one of the world’s top aerospace writers, offers tantalizing hints regarding Moscow’s intentions for the big, twin-engine T-50, an answer to America’s F-22 stealth fighter.

If Sweetman is correct—and he usually is—the angular warplane with the 50-foot wingspan could be bought in small numbers and used as a sort of airborne sniper, elusively flying high and fast to take down enemy radars and support planes using powerful, long-range missiles.

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My Comment: Sober reading for those who work for the Air Force and for F-35 supporters.

Is Russia's Newest Stealth Jet Superior Over It's U.S. Rivals?

Russia’s Stealth Fighter Could Match U.S. Jets, Analyst Says -- Danger Room

Russia’s T-50 stealth fighter prototype, the first radar-evading warplane outside the U.S. when it debuted in January 2010, is slightly less stealthy than the American F-22 and about equal to the smaller F-35. But in several other respects the new warplane from the Russian Sukhoi design bureau is actually superior to the American models.

That’s the surprising conclusion of the first-ever public scientific analysis of the T-50′s Radar Cross-Section (RCS), completed this week by Dr. Carlo Kopp, an analyst with the independent think tank Air Power Australia.

“The shaping of the T-50 is inferior to that of the F-22 Raptor,” Kopp writes in his dense, jargon-heavy report. But the F-35 and T-50, he adds, exhibit “similar … RCS behavior.”

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My Comment: I do not know if it can match what the US Air Force can supply .... but I do know that it does not carry a $1 trillion dollar price tag.

T-50 Specs And Performance When Compared To The U.S. F-22

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My Comment: These specs are provided by the Russians .... so the Americans may have a different opinion. But there is one thing that I like, and it is the price. On a side note, this plane .... at least on paper .... can match the new F-35 .... with the Americans having (I hope) the advantage in the avionics.

Russia To Unveil It's Stealth Fighter To The Public For The First Times

Sukhoi T-50 fighter. © RIA Novosti. Alexey Drujinin

Russian Next Generation Stealth Fighter Unveiled At Air Show -- ABC News

Russia showed off its next generation stealth fighter for the first time at a highly-publicized air show today, as the best and most expensive stealth fighter jets America has to offer sit idle on the tarmac.

The Sukhoi T-50, also known as the PAK FA, made its public debut at the MAKS-2011 air show near Moscow Tuesday where Russian air force commander-in-chief Gen. Alexander Zelin said the plane is expected to enter mass production as early as 2014, according to Russian state news RIA Novosti.

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More News On Russia's T-50 Stealth Fighter

Russia's air power displayed at international show -- Seattle Times/AP
Indo-Russia T-50 stealth fighter to make its international debut -- The Economic Times
Russia Set To Show Off Its First Stealth Fighter -- Radio free Europe
Russian first stealth fighter jet 'to enter service in 2015' -- RIA Novosti
Indo-Russia stealth fighter to make its international debut -- Livemint.com
Russia Readies Stealth Fighter for Air Show Debut -- Defense News/AFP
Russia sees orders for fifth generation jet from 2015 -- Reuters

Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Will Debut At Moscow Air Show

T-50. © RIA Novosti. Aleksei Druzhinin

Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter To Make First Public Flight At Moscow Air Show -- RIA Novosti

Russia's Sukhoi T-50 fifth-generation fighter, also known as PAK-FA, will perform its first public flight at the MAKS-2011 air show near Moscow in August, Nikolai Zanegin, Deputy General Director of Russia's Aviasalon company, said on Wednesday.

“Numerous visitors will see the fifth-generation fighter in the sky for the first time ever at the air show,” Zanegin said in an interview with Russian magazine National Defense.

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Update: Sukhoi T-50 PAKFA Public Debut Planned for MAKS 2011 in August -- Defense Update

My Comment: The Russian public will now get the chance to see the fighter for the first time .... as well as aviation experts, intelligence agencies, defense contractors who are competitors, and potential future customers.

Russia's Second T-50 Stealth Fighter Makes First Flight

Who Has The Fastest Warplane? Russia Tests Another Supersonic T-50 fighter. -- Christian Science Monitor

Russia today tested a second prototype of its Sukhoi T-50 fighter, a fifth-generation warplane that is said to be comparable to the US F-22 Raptor.

Russia successfully tested a second prototype of its revolutionary new "fifth-generation" fighter plane Thursday, a futuristic, ultrafast, and stealthy warbird that may be in the possession of the Russian Air Force by 2013.

If Russian claims about the Sukhoi T-50 multirole fighter are true, then the country that has made do with Soviet-era arms for the past two decades is poised to roar into the 21st century with a cutting-edge weapons system that is so advanced and complex that only the US has been able to field one.

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More News On The Successful Flight Of Russia's Second T-50

Russia tests 2nd prototype of fifth-generation fighter -- RIA Novosti
Russia tests totally new fighter plane -- Voice of Russia
Russia successfully tests second Sukhoi PAK FA -- Pravda
Russia tests jet fighter prototype -- UPI
Second Russian PAK FA Prototype Makes First Flight -- Ares/Aviation Week
First flight for the prototype of the plane T-50 fighter -- Avio News
In Russia, Stealth Jet Flies You -- The Danger Room

My Comment: With this successful flight, expect more calls in the U.S. to revive this Air Force program.

A New Video On Russia's Fifth-Generation Fighter

VIDEO: More Of PAK-FA's First Air Show Surfaces -- The DEW Line

Russia's fifth-generation fighter -- the PAK-FA -- staged an air show for Russian President Prime Minister Vladimir Putin back in May. Russian TV showed a few clips of what was then the 16th flight of the prototype called the T-50.

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Russia Shows Off Their New Jet Fighter

Putin Boasts New Jet Fighter Better Than U.S. Plane -- Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin climbed into the cockpit of Russia's newest fighter jet on Thursday and said it would trump a U.S.-built rival, the F-22 Raptor.

Putin watched a test flight of a "fifth-generation" stealth fighter, dubbed the T-50 and billed as Russia's first all-new warplane since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

"This machine will be superior to our main competitor, the F-22, in terms of maneuverability, weaponry and range," Putin told the pilot after the flight, according to an account on the government website.

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More News On Prime Minister Putin And Today's T-50 Test Flight

T-50 fighter jet makes another test flight -- Voice of Russia
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin observed a test flight of a fifth-generation fighter jet in Zhukovsky, near Moscow -- Isria
Russian military to buy 50 fifth-generation fighters after 2016 -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: Prime Minister Putin is the quintessential showman .... when watching the above video I was struck by how many camera crews and photographers were there. They all know a good photo opportunity when it presents itself.