AIN Defense Perspective » August 31, 2012
Photo: Vladimir Karnozov
The second prototype of the T-50 stealth fighter lands at Zhukovsky after its display at the recent Russian air force 100th anniversary airshow.
August 31, 2012, 10:05 AM
The third prototype of Russia’s new T-50 stealth fighter now has an AESA radar. Sukhoi reported this month that the program has logged more than 120 test flights, which suggests that only some 20 flights have been made in the past nine months. However, Russian air force commander Gen. Victor Bondarev told journalists that testing of the PAK FA (the Russian acronym for Future Complex of Frontal Aviation) is on schedule, and that performance to date is “by and large corresponding to the specification that we put forward for this aircraft.” The T-50 first flew on Jan. 29, 2010.
Sukhoi said that the second prototype (side number 52) conducted initial inflight refueling trials, in conjunction with a Russian air force Il-78 tanker and an Su-25UB two-seat chase plane. The T-50 hooked up with the tanker five times. Sukhoi said that this prototype is also being used on a separate test program examining stability, controllability and the structural response of the design in various flight configurations and various corners of the flight envelope, including supersonic.
Meanwhile, the first prototype (side number 51) is “completing preparations” for testing at high angles of attack and for super maneuverability.
Side number 53 is fitted with the AESA designed and built by the Scientific Research Institute of Instruments named after Tikhomirov (NIIP). The maker claims “considerable progress” in early ground and flight tests. The radar “corresponds to the best systems available elsewhere,” it said. NIIP also noted that tests of the PAK FA’s electro-optical sensor system have started
Sukhoi said that the second prototype (side number 52) conducted initial inflight refueling trials, in conjunction with a Russian air force Il-78 tanker and an Su-25UB two-seat chase plane. The T-50 hooked up with the tanker five times. Sukhoi said that this prototype is also being used on a separate test program examining stability, controllability and the structural response of the design in various flight configurations and various corners of the flight envelope, including supersonic.
Meanwhile, the first prototype (side number 51) is “completing preparations” for testing at high angles of attack and for super maneuverability.
Side number 53 is fitted with the AESA designed and built by the Scientific Research Institute of Instruments named after Tikhomirov (NIIP). The maker claims “considerable progress” in early ground and flight tests. The radar “corresponds to the best systems available elsewhere,” it said. NIIP also noted that tests of the PAK FA’s electro-optical sensor system have started
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar
Merk: Bare medlemmer av denne bloggen kan legge inn en kommentar.