Kosovo independence recognition might become a precedent for other secessionists – CNN

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Beriev Be-2500 almost twice as big as A380!

The Beriev Be-2500 Neptune is a super-heavy transport seaplane proposed by the Beriev Aircraft Company of Russia. Its maximum take-off weight should reach 2,500 tons! It would be the largest aircraft ever proposed. It might weigh four times more than the largest aircraft in the world, the Antonov An-225.

This gigantic project would range from $10 to $15 billion. The Be-2500 would be a « flying ship » able to compete with the maritime shipping and air transport industries. Its size is not clearly quoted due to a discrepancy in the figures available. However, it would nearly double the Airbus A380 size!

It is deemed to be an ekranoplane (also known as a « wing-in-ground-effect – WIG », « flarecraft », « wing-in-surface-effect ship – WISE », « sea skimmer », « ground effect vehicle – GEV » thanks to its cushion of high-pressure air provided by the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface, which is known as ground effect.

Last but not least, it could fly far over the surface (airborne) like any heavy cargo. Watch what it could look below:

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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.>>

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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.>>

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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.>>

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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.>>

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Svetlana KAPANINA – Queen of the skies

The Russian pilot Svetlana KAPANINA, has won up to 39 gold medals, two World Air Games, and seven World Championship titles – a record in women category.

Among her feats, she is used to challenging the best male pilots in the world as she has reached the top 4 – and even top 2 – several times in overall competition. Finally, she has been awarded a prestigious medal for being the best pilot of the century.

According to her performance on the videos above, she deserves her nickname « Queen of the skies ». Just watch and enjoy…

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Tu-160 record-breaking 23-hour patrol

Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber - Photo: Zimin Vasiliy

Photo: Zimin Vasiliy

Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber

15:04 15/06/2010 The Tu-160 is a supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber, designed to strike strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons deep in continental theaters of operation>>

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Russian strategic bombers complete record duration flight

11:05 10/06/2010 Two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers have carried out a record-breaking 23-hour patrol with a planned flight range of 18,000 kilometers (over 11,000 miles), an Air Force spokesman said on Thursday>>

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