In August 2011 a pure stealth Fighter-Bomber for the russian armed forces was displayed for the first time at the Russian International Air Show (MAKS) at Zhukovsky near Moscow. The fact that this aircraft has a certain similarity to the American F22 Raptor is to a large extent due to the demands of Stealth technology. By todays standards, the T50 occupies a place in the same class as the American F35 Lightning II. As the F22 is in all respects inferior to bothe aircraft, it is now regarded as obsolete. Similar to the F35, the T50 is also fitted with electronically controlled vector jets, which guarantee excellent manoeuvrability and outstanding handling characteristics in all speed ranges. Another advantage over the western aircraft is its two engines, which dramatically improves its survivability. Whilst the USA was trying to achieve stealth characteristics using special design features, the T50 had achieved up to 85% stealth success through the use of special nano technology materials on the outer surfaces which also dramatically reduced wind resistance. In order to fully utilise its stealth characteristics all of the T50`s weapons are housed in a weapons bay within the fuselage. The T50 is the only stealth aircraft that can use its internally mounted weapons at speeds above Mach 1. Additionally, however, it also has the ability to carry long and short range air combat missiles and larger anti-ship missiles on external weapons stations under the wings.
As well as a top speed of over 2000km/h (1250mph) great emphasis was put on its low speed flight characteristics. To this end the aircraft has a series of electronically controlled slats over the entire width of the wing in addition to its vector nozzles. The planned mass production of initially 1000 T50`s by 2016 is a jopint venture between the Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and and the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). Whilst the Russian Air Force has placed orders for 400 to 450 single seater PAK FA versions of the aircraft, India will get 250 FGFA PAH, the two seat version. Other T50 customers currectly include China, Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Malaysia.
Wingspan: 14.00m
Length: 19.70m
Height: 4.80m
Engines: 2 x NPO Saturn 117/AL-41F1
Power: 88.29kN without Afterburner, 147.09kN with Afterburner
Empty Weight: 18500kg
Normal Take Off Weight: 26000kg
Maximum Take Off Weight: 37000kg
Maximum Speed: 2350 km/h
Cruising Speed: 1293km/h
Ferry Range: 5520km
radius of Action: 1200km
Service Ceiling: 18500m
Maximum Weapon Load: 7500kg
Integral cannon: Grjasw-Schipunow 30mm calibre GSch-301
Armament: either: 4 x Wympel RWW-AE (AA-12 Adder)
2 x Wympel R-73E (AA-11 Archer)
2 x Wympel R-74 (RWW-MD)
2 x Type 810
4 x Ch-38MAE
4 x Ch-58USSchKE (AS-11 Killer) or 4 Laser Guided KAB-500L - 500kg Boms
Crew: 1 Pilot
