T50 Stealth Fighter goes supersonic

[willedoo]

The PAK FA T50 stealth fighter prototype started supersonic speed testing for the first time last week over Siberia.

 

PAK FA Breaks Sound Barrier for First Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

The T-50 (PAK FA) prototype of the future Russian fifth generation fighter has broken the sound barrier during flight tests, Lenta.RU reports.

 

According to an agency source, the first supersonic flight took place “in the past week” and was recognized as a success. At the present time the prototype of the airplane is undergoing a program of flight tests at supersonic speeds. Two prototypes of the airplane are taking part in the flights; in all 40 test flights have been made.

 

The first T-50 prototype has been making flights since January 2010, and the second such airplane joined the test program in the beginning of March 2011. According to the schedule, the PAK FA airframe tests will be completed in 2011 – 2012. Russia’s defense ministry will receive ten experimental aircraft of a preproduction batch in 2013 hat will undergo tests for combat use. The fighters will join the Lipetsk Center of Combat Application and Cross Training of Flight Crews. Series purchases of the T-50 will begin in 2015.

 

At the present time, Russia’s defense ministry plans envision the purchase of 60 fighters, not counting the airplanes of the experimental batch. Purchase of the airplanes will be within the framework of the state arms program for 2011 – 2020, the amount of financing which will be 19 trillion rubles of the military authority’s line item. The need of the Russian air force for the PAK FA on the whole is estimated at 150 units; however, precise numbers for purchases of the fighters are still unknown.

 

Technical details about the T-50 are classified. Earlier official sources announced only that the airplane will be distinguished by high intellectualization of the aircraft, will be able to take off and land on runways 300 - 400 meters long and will be able to carry out combat missions in any weather and time of day and night. Moreover, the Russian fighter will be ultra maneuverable and able to cruise at supersonic speed.

 

Source: 14.03.11, Avia.RU