Third PAK-FA prototype breaks cover

[Indian Army]

Third PAK-FA prototype breaks cover

Russian-language spotter pages are reporting the first sighting of the third Sukhoi PAK-FA prototype at the Siberian flight test centre in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. As soon as pictures become available, we will post them.

The T-50-3 prototype is reportedly scheduled for first flight by the end of 2011. It follows the maiden of sorties of T-50-2 in February and T-50-1 in January 2010.

The third prototype is understood to carry the PAK-FA's active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. T-50-2 is an avionics and mission systems test aircraft, and T-50-1 is dedicated to flight sciences testing.

Sukhoi has already completed more than 100 flights of the PAK-FA prototypes in less than 22 months of flight testing, including a chequered appearance at Moscow's MAKS air show in August where T-50-2 had an engine blow-out on take-off.

 

[Roybot]

The third PAK FA prototype has joined the flight test program - News - Russian Aviation - RUAVIATION.COM

The first flight of the third PAK FA prototype has been performed today at Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association named after Y.A. Gagarin (KnAAPO), based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur , Sukhoi Company reports. AEX.ru

The jet was piloted by the honored test-pilot of Russian Federation, Hero of Russia, Sergey Bogdan. The fighter’s flight lasted more than one hour and then it has landed at the runway of enterprise’s airfield. The flight has been performed successfully in full accordance with flight assignment. The stability testing has been performed during the flight and the work of powerplant has been evaluated. The jet has performed well on all the stages of flight. The pilot has underlined the reliable work of all the systems and equipment.

The first flight of PAK FA has been performed on January 29th 2010 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The second prototype has performed its maiden flight in early March 2011. The work on ground and flight testing is in progress. The first public demonstration of the fighter has taken place in Zhukovsky on August 17th 2011 at MAKS-2011 airshow. More than 100 flights have already been performed in the network of flight test program.

PAK FA program assumes creation, serialization and passing into service the fifth-generation fighter. It will help increase the combat potential of Russian air forces; it will help aircraft industry and other related industries reach a new production and technical level and will give impulse to development of school of sciences, provide a stable workload for enterprises taking part in the development and production of the jet. This top-priority program of Sukhoi will contribute to development and implementation of new materials, element base and hi-end technologies with high innovative potential for aircraft industry and the country’s economy, for development of new projects of consistent next-generation aviation systems.

“As compared to the fighters of previous generations, PAK FA has some unique features combining functions of strike aircraft and fighter. Fifth-generation fighter is equipped with new avionics with an integrated function of “electronic pilot” and advanced radar with phased antenna array. It significantly decreases the load on the pilot allowing him to concentrate on performance of tactical objectives. The airborne equipment of the new aircraft enables real-time data exchange with ground systems and other aircraft. Implementation of composites and innovative technologies, aircraft aerodynamic configuration, visibility mitigation measures for the engine provide the outstanding low level of radar, optical and infra-red visibility. It increases the combat efficiency of the fighter in any weather and lighting conditions”, - the company noted.

 

[punisher]

 

[Indian Army]

Is there any pic of 3rd prototype????

 

[Birbal]

IIRC, the third prototype is a full prototype, that is, aside from modifications they decide to make, it is the same aircraft that will enter serial production.

 

[deep.ocean]

OOPS.. great

 

[Indian Army]

Might be this one:

 

[BLEND]

Hope to see some engine exhaust modification. Will there be any??

 

[kaykay]

development pace is not bad at all....

 

[Birbal]

Hope to see some engine exhaust modification. Will there be any??

I doubt it. At least not until the second engine for the PAK FA is created around 2017. Right now they've probably reached the same compromise the F-35 designers did.

 

[Indian Army]

Hope to see some engine exhaust modification. Will there be any??

Rectangular bay can be expected as they had done in beerut,,,, Irregular bays can't be expected as they had applied by US in planes like F 117

 

[Tshering22]

This is great! But since Pogosyan said that there are going to be around 6-7 prototypes with incremental addition of technology and improvements, I think that the final model would be one kick-@$$ one. Can't wait to see that one.

I wonder whether Vietnamese would be interested in acquiring a squadron of these jets. They're perhaps the only other nation that needs a 5th generation as urgently as we do in response to the given situation with our common neighbor.

 

[DMLA]

link to video:

3rd PT, first flight

 

[Roybot]

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

VIDEO: First flight of Sukhoi T-50-3 VIDEO: First flight of Sukhoi T-50-3 - The DEW Line