Learn 'super plane' Sukhoi PAK FA T-50

At the end of January, the fifth-generation "super fighter" Sukhoi T-50 took off, after several failed appointments, and is expected to be officially put into operation in the Russian air force in 2015.

Initiated in 2002, the Russian government selected Sukhoi as the main contractor for the fifth generation PAK FA project (Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi - Future air complex for tactical air force - Future aviation complex for tactical air force).

Originally planned, the PAK FA prototype will conduct trials from 2006 and 2010, will begin production. PAK FA will equip the Russian air force from 2011-2012. However, perhaps due to financial problems, it was not until 11:09 on January 29, 2010, that Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 took off for the first time from Komsomolsk (Russia).

Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 fifth generation fighter aircraft at Komsomolsk airport (Russia).

Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 takes off.

Here are some of the highlights that might appear on Sukhoi PAK FA T-50:

Extremely powerful radar N050 AESA / PESA BLRS

Sukhoi T-50 equipped with radar N050 AESA / PESA (AESA), Active Electronically scanned array (PESA - Passive Electronically scanned array). This type of radar operates on the X (8-12GHz) band. The weight of radar is about 65-80kg, 0.7m in diameter.

N050 allows simultaneous scanning of 32 targets at once, and fire control simultaneously destroys 8 targets. The radar range is about 400km, while the radar equipped on the F-22 is AN / APG - 77 only 250km.

Diverse weapons system

T-50 Sukhoi was built to perform many air, land and sea missions. T-50 Sukhoi can use the latest Russian military weapons such as short-range air-to-air missiles R-73; medium-range air-to-air missile R-77 (range up to 90km); Air-to-air missiles are typically Kh-31 or air-to-air such as Kh-35 Uran, Kh-41 Moskit. And KAB-500KR high-precision guided bombs.

Sub-weapons that are very effective in close range air strikes are certainly indispensable on fighter jets that are two 30mm guns.

All weapons of the Sukhoi T-50 will be hung inside the aircraft cabin, similar to the US F-22. This layout will reduce the possibility of an enemy anti-aircraft radar detection.

Powerful Saturn AL-41F engine

During the test flight on January 29, 2010, some sources believe that Sukhoi T-50 has not been equipped with new engines. But there were a few predictions before that the Sukhoi T-50 would use a Saturn AL-41F turbofan engine.

Saturn AL-41F turbojet turbine engine

The engine AL-41F allows Sukhoi T-50 to reach a maximum speed of 2400km / h, speed when patrolling about 1300km / h, ceiling flying 20,000m, range of over 5,000km. The T-50 is even capable of achieving supersonic speeds without burning a second fuel. The required runway length is only 350m.

The average life of an AL-41F engine is 4,000 hours, with an average operating time of about 1,500 hours requiring maintenance.

New Plasma stealth technology

Traditional stealth technology that many countries are using, most notably the latest generation fighters such as F-117, B-2, F-22. It is using angular structures, using materials that absorb radar waves, reducing infrared heat radiation due to engine exhaust .

However, for Sukhoi PAK FA T-50, the Russians developed completely new technology that is Plasma stealth or known as 'active stealth technology'.

Plasma stealth is the process of using ionized gas to reduce radar cross section (Radar cross section - RCS). Ionized gas will cover the entire aircraft and absorb the electromagnetic energy of radar waves, thereby making it difficult to detect aircraft from enemy air defense systems.

Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 "flapped" in the sky of Russia

In January 1999, the ITAR news agency - Russia's TASS announced an interview with Dr. Anatoliy Koroteyev (director of Keldysh Research Center), which is studying Plasma stealth equipment. This is also the first research agency of Russia to develop this stealth technology.

Accordingly, the agency has built a plasma generator weighing about 100kg, so it can be carried on tactical combat aircraft. In 2002, they tested the plasma device on a Su-27, resulting in a 100-fold radar reflections. This is consistent with the current financial conditions of Russia.

If this technology is applied, it will certainly bring about high economic efficiency. Because if using radar absorbing materials or some other traditional technology, the cost will be very high (eg F-22 worth $ 120 million or B-2 worth more than $ 2 billion).

When in operation, Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 will become the main fighter of the Russian air force, counterbalanced by the US "Predatory F-22".

It is expected that if nothing changes, Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 will go into operation in 2015.