Sukhoi Fighter Starting Flight Tests

[seesul]

The prototype of Sukhoi's fifth-generation fighter, known as PAK-FA or T-50, has started taxi trials with an aim to make first flight early in January, industry sources say.

First taxi trials were successfully performed at Sukhoi's Komsomol-on-Amur KnAAPO manufacturing facility, where prototypes are being built. The PAK-FA development is still classified, so images of the stealthy fighter are expected to appear only after the first flight.

Earlier this month deputy prime-minister Sergei Ivanov also confirmed to media that flight trials of the T-50 were expected to be underway by the beginning of January.
Sukhoi Fighter Starting Flight Tests | AVIATION WEEK

 

[seesul]

Just read in the local news they succesfully tested it today during its very first flight.
Don´t have any link in English yet.

 

[seesul]

Here it goes- first videos of the Russian Raptor

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5jTVMVylIw

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQDPHAMC6WU

 

[imalko]

Roman you beet me to it. I was about to start a thread on the same topic...
Never mind, here are couple of photos of T-50 on take off to its maiden flight which took place today. As I understood it's planed that this aircraft should enter service by 2015.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPHzCqSJ5xY

 

[Colin1]

Damn
we can't send Clint Eastwood again, they'll recognise him...

Edit: I know zippo about stealth but aren't those intakes a little boxy?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Great info.

Reminds me of the F-23.

 

[Torch]

+1,,looks real original

 

[twoeagles]

Convergent design evolution...Beautiful aircraft!

 

[Glider]

She is a good looking machine, no question and as FJ said it has a similar look to the F23

 

[imalko]

Official announcement from Sukhoi regarding today's test flight:

Sukhoi LAUNCHES Flight tests Prospective COMPLEX Frontal Aviation (PAK FA)

Moscow, January 29. Today in Komsomolsk - on - Amur hosted the first flight of an experienced aviation complex of the fifth generation. The plane was piloted honored test pilot Sergei Bogdan Russia. Prototype PAK FA spent 47 minutes in the air and landed on the runway of the factory airfield.

The flight was successful, in full accordance with the flight plan. "During the flight we had a primary assessment of controllability of the aircraft, engine and major systems, the aircraft made a full-time cleaning and landing gear. The aircraft proved itself well in all phases of our intended flight program. They easily and comfortably manage ", - said Sergey Bogdan.

Compared with previous generations of fighters, PAK FA has several unique features, combining the functions of attack aircraft and fighter.

Fifth generation fighter aircraft equipped with a fundamentally new avionics, the integrating function of e-pilot, and promising radar with a phased antenna array. This significantly reduces the load on the pilot and allows you to concentrate on the implementation of tactical tasks. On-board equipment of a new aircraft enables the exchange of data in real time as a land-management systems, and within the aviation group.

The use of composite materials and innovative technology, aerodynamic design aircraft, measures to reduce the visibility of the engine provides unprecedented low level of radar, optical and infrared visibility.This allows you to significantly improve the combat effectiveness in the work, both by air and ground targets, at any time of day, in simple and adverse weather conditions.

"Today we started a program of flight tests of fifth generation fighter aircraft. This is a great success of Russia's science and engineering thought. For this achievement is worth more than a hundred co-operatives allied enterprises, our strategic partners. PAK FA program displays Russia's aircraft manufacturing and related industries on a qualitatively new technological level. These planes, along with modernized aviation system of the fourth generation will determine the potential of Russian military aircraft in the coming decades. The plans of the Company "Sukhoi" is included and further development of the Program PAK FA, on which we will work with Indian partners. I am confident that our joint project will surpass the Western counterparts by the criterion of cost-effectiveness and will not only strengthen the defensive power of the Air Force of Russia and India, but will take its place in the world market ", - said General Director of JSC" Sukhoi "Mikhail Pogosyan, Commenting on the start of flight testing.

Summary of fifth generation fighter aircraft.

Compared with previous generations of fighters, the fifth generation has several unique features, combining the functions of attack aircraft and fighter.

Fifth generation fighter aircraft equipped with a fundamentally new avionics, the integrating function of the e-pilot, and promising radar with a phased antenna array. This significantly reduces the load on the pilot and allows you to concentrate on the implementation of tactical tasks. On-board equipment of a new aircraft enables the exchange of data in real time as a land-management systems, and within the aviation group.

The use of composite materials and innovative technology, aerodynamic design aircraft, measures to reduce the visibility of the engine provides unprecedented low level of radar, optical and infrared visibility. This allows you to significantly improve the combat effectiveness in the work, both by air and ground targets, at any time of day, in simple and adverse weather conditions. Low visibility, aircraft performance and maneuverability allow to minimize the threat to the pilot, at the expense of the fifth generation fighter aircraft have increased survivability in difficult combat conditions, with the active counter air defense systems. Increased radius of combat use leads to greater autonomy of the fifth generation fighter aircraft in the implementation of the planned combat missions.

Fifth generation fighter aircraft will complement the fleet of modernized aircraft complexes of the fourth generation, as well as to replace the aging fleet of combat aircraft. In the long term availability of the fifth generation aircraft in service will allow customers to optimize and structure of the park, due to repeated increase combat effectiveness and capacity to address a broader range of tasks with a single plane.

Program to create long-term aviation system of the fifth generation is a technological breakthrough in the domestic aircraft industry, which allows to maintain a stable leading position of Russia on the international market of combat aircraft. In the world aviation there is a unique analogue of fifth generation fighter aircraft - is the F-35, a product of Lockheed Martin.

The plans of the Company "Sukhoi" is the further development of the Program to create a fifth generation fighter aircraft and the creation of modification of aircraft with Indian partners. The joint project will surpass the Western equivalent to the criterion of cost-effectiveness and will not only strengthen the defensive power of the Air Force of Russia and India, but will take a worthy place in the world market

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I think the top profile of the aircraft looks really interesting.

 

[tomo pauk]

Combo of YF-23, F-22 and Su-27.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Combo of YF-23, F-22 and Su-27.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Lucky13]

Spot on!

 

[twoeagles]

A little bit surprised at what appears to be conventional exhaust nozzles...those articulated turkey feathers are a major concern for stealth design.

 

[Colin1]

A little bit surprised at what appears to be conventional exhaust nozzles...those articulated turkey feathers are a major concern for stealth design.

I'm not going to pretend I got those specifics but the back end did look a bit 'ordinary'
What about those intakes, are they a bit boxy or am I imagining it?

Anyone hazard a guess as to how able the electronics suite is likely to be?

 

[tomo pauk]

Methinks that people in Lockheed-Martin are jumping with joy as we speak.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I am thinking the same thing about the exhaust. Maybe it is just part of the prototype?

 

[Waynos]

On the face of it yes, twoeagles, but the 3d TVC nozzle of the T-50 (as opposed top the 2d alternative favoured by the US) allows for the use of smaller tail surfaces which reduces signature. These are also prototype nozzles and further refinement is naturally in the pipelin.

The intake design is very close to the F-22 and is one area I might call copy, however as the simple box design of the F-22 has been proven to be the best for stealth and efficiency, why wouldn't you

I think the top view looks quite dramatic.

Tomo, do you think Sukhoi don't know their stuff? I think that Lockheed will be impressed, and a little concerned. Remember, thuis is a first prototype. Look how feeble the YF-22 looked compared to the production version. It looked like a child had drawn it

 

[The Basket]

Looks like a Draken from the top.

But very similar to. The F-23...talk about imitation being best form of flattery.

Maybe the Soviets sacrificied a little stealth for some real world cost saving or usability.

But it does look very cool.