5th generation fighter Sukhoi PAK FA future big hit?

The Indian-Russian PAK FA (or T-50) might become a blockbuster in 5th-generation-fighter category according to these arguments:

  1. It would be far less expensive than its direct competitors (up to 3 times cheaper)
  2. The PAK FA’s range would be superior by 70% compared to the F-22 one
  3. Bigger in its wing surface and lighter than the F-22, it should be more maneuverable than the Raptor
  4. It would be between 14 and 20% faster than the F-22
  5. The PAK FA would have a 20% thrust-to-weight-ratio advance

As far as radar, system, and stealth are concerned, the Raptor must be over any other fighter aircraft considering its heavy program cost (around $65 billion) compared to the PAK FA one which should not exceed $8 billion.

However, the main problem in such comparison is that crucial assets such as stealth are not visible, and kept secret. Moreover other factors can change the balance: weaponry performance, pilots’ training, and data links among others. For instance, the Russian military are not likely to purchase more than 10 PAK FAs by 2012, and around 50 only by 2016.

Pictures and articles below:

Russian military to buy 50 fifth-generation fighters after 2016

18:53 17/06/2010 Russia’s Defense Ministry will order at least 50 fifth-generation fighters from 2016, a senior official said on Thursday.>>

Other news of the day
Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet completes first stage of tests

22:36 17/06/2010 Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft Sukhoi T-50 made its 16th test flight at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TSAGI) in Zhukovsky near Moscow, thus completing the first stage of air and ground tests.>>

Other news of the day
Russia’s 5G fighter to be 3 times cheaper than foreign analogs

16:26 17/06/2010 Russia’s fifth generation fighter will be about three times as cheap as its foreign analog, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.>>

Other news of the day
Vladimir Putin in Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet

19:42 18/06/2010 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived on June 17 in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region, to observe the test flight of a Russian fifth-generation fighter.>>

Other news of the day

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail