MOSCOW – The Russian military is expected to receive the first batch offifth generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets “very soon,” the corporationdeveloping the plane said. The jet was known earlier as the PAK FA andT-50, Sputnik has reported.
“The newest 5th generation aviation complex T-50/PAK FA, for which we havehigh hopes and plans, will be delivered to the Russian Air Force verysoon,” the Joint Aviation Corporation (OAK) saidlink>ina Facebook post.
Earlier on Saturday, a source in the aviation industry told Interfax thatthe delivery of the first planes of the maiden batch is expected to takeplace in 2018. A similar estimated time of delivery was given earlier bythen-Russian Air Force commander Colonel General Viktor Bondarev.
The first nine machines are currently undergoing flight tests, according tothe manufacturer. While the early jets were fitted with older “first-stageengines,” the Su-57 recently received a new engine, developed specificallyfor the fifth-generation fighters. The fighter, fitted with the new Product30 engine, successfully performed its maiden flight on December 5. Whilelittle is known about the specifications, the OAK said last year it was anentirely new engine designed from scratch.
The Su-57 jet fighter, designed to replace the iconic Sukhoi Su-27 infrontline tactical aviation, made its maiden flight in 2010. One plane hasan estimated price tag of about $50 million.
The new planes have already been featured in several exhibitions, includingthe MAKS 2017 airshow last July. A pair of the aircraft, known then as theT-50, stole the show, performing a variety of amazing stunts. The Su-57designation was officially confirmedlink> for thenew plane last August.
The aircraft features an entirely new planer, built largely from compositematerials, modern radar and avionics. The new flight equipment allows thejet to exchange information in real time with other planes and groundcommand units, as well as perform individual missions, according to theOAK. The avionics provide a high level of automatization and “intellectualsupport” for the crew, helping pilots to focus on their tactical objectives.
The main armament of the plane is concealed in internal bays to boost itsaerodynamic capabilities and reduce radar cross section. The Su-57 can alsocarry munitions on external pylons. The jet’s armament includes a recentlymodernized 30mm internal autocannonlink> and a rangeof modern guided missiles.