Sukhoi PAK-FA (T-50, I-21)

[flateric]

OK, Madonna, that I have endless respect to, also has Kabbalah as a hobby...I only hope that Sukhoi designers don't use this method defining T-50 design...Erm...'Vladimir, go and take on the net wingspan and maiden flight dates of MDC air superiority fighters - we desperately need to calculate main gear well volume for our bird'

[lantinian]

Russia by means of PAKFA will replace MiG-31 and Su-27, and India - Su-30.

OK Seriously,
I think that Suchoi would not be pushing for a plan A (new fighter) and plan B (upgraded fighter) at the same time. I think that we are missing something.

I really do not see justification for the Russians to replace SU-27 before trying out a major operational upgrade first.
Besides, the SU-27 I far as I know are more updated than the MiG-29s and are generally more usefull to the airforce.
If there is any aircraft that needs replacing its the MiG-29. What a short range  aircraft for such a big country.
I also don't see the MiG-31 being replaced. Its still a very capable airframe.

Second, India to replace SU-30 in 2015? They would have operated the type for less than 2 decades. I am not sure exactly what other types of aircraft are in the Indian airforce but I strongly believe the SU-30s are the newest and most capable ones. I would have personally brought them all to MKI status instead of replacing them. India has another competition that has the F-35 as a major player. I think the F-35 and the PAK-FA are both competing for the same job in the Indian Airforce right now. India has a great number of short range figthers that it needs replacing and they might be trying to play the US and the Russians to get them the best offer possible for a SINGLE engine 5th gen fighter. Or maybe they are not sure the F-35 will reach production and are playing safe.

Either way, it has become somewhat obvious to me that PAK-FA is a single engine design. I makes sense to compete with the F-35 (2000+ potentially build) more than with F-22 (183 build). The SU-35BM is an excellent aircraft on par with the Eurocanards. Why would any company be designing two products that will compete for the same markets?

But, if you will read the Mikhailov's interview, you will note that he talks of completely NEW

component base. Aircraft went through at least 4 dramatic iterations since the end of

what has leaked and has reliable sources (TzAGI placard, NPO Saturn CGI renderings, RCS test range images) are actual interim iterations studied at the earlier stages of the

If flateric is right, then those statements just support my theory that The PAK-FA design has departed significantly from the MFI, SU-47 and MiG-1.42 concepts once, then again from the F-22 like CGIs again and may be indeed a medium range single engine design

I think all this lack of funds has made the russians realist about what they can really afford to put in service to compete with the new western fighters. Why would you want to compete with F-22, if it cannot even be exported.

lantinian

[rousseau]

Overscan:
 
   The data was set by Paralay is harmless, just in case it be true, then your forum will be top famous in all of aviation forum in this world

[paralay]

If PAKFA it will appear single-motor, I shall be glad!
But there is an information that wish to make tail part PAKFA as at Su-27, for installation of a radar of the back. 

[lantinian]

I was going to ask if there is any recent hard evidence to suggest that PAK-FA has more than one engine.

But there is an information that wish to make tail part PAKFA as at Su-27, for installation of a radar of the back.

I see your point. A spike tail between the engines has enough room for a small radar, but they are other acceptable design solutions. Like the one on SU-47, with two smaller spikes. One for Radar and one for ECM (I think).

From what I understand, there are two engines in development. The AL-41F and the P-145. Both are big and powerfull engines. So, the possibility if an F-18 type of aircraft (Medium aircraft with 2 small engines) can be eliminated, leaving only a fairly big 2 engine design or a medium one with one engine.

I do not think Russia can afford the twin engine one.

Unless, I see some hard evidence to the contrary, I think PAK-FA might end up a middle size aircraft in the class of F-35. I also think, its shape will be less of a surprise to us than MiG-1.44 was.

If we make a parallel to the 80s where everybody was busy drawing the ATF or F-19, and at the end the F-117, YF-22 and YF-23 designs turned out to be complete surprises. This time the surprise might be the size, no the shape. I think Paralay has drawn every possible shape anyway, so I do not see how Suchoi can surprise us now.

[paralay]

The witness declares, that PAKFA is similar to this picture
Other witness speaks, that the tail part is not similar.
I think, that engines are placed widely, as at Su-27.

[medal64]

PAK-FA won't be a one engine aircraft.Because of the Russia's large country boundaries.And also India won't take a one engine PAK-FA version because of the funds and agreement.They agreed to join Russian PAK-FA,T-50 model but there can be some avionics changes for Indian version.

[lantinian]

PAK-FA won't be a one engine aircraft.Because of the Russia's large country boundaries

Range requirement is hardly an indication of the number of engines on a fighter aircraft. Remember F-15E and F-16XL. Similar range, differrent number of engines. Reliability might be an issue but I think, with modern engines that is no longer the case.

If there is something that really shows how much engines a fighter has, its the performance requirements. Trust to weight ration for once. If PAK-FA is designed to outperform the F-22, it will need two engines. But that's a luxury requirement these days.

[medal64]

I think it's a necessity for Ruaf and PAK-FA will have two engines. It's not my idea it's formally accepted design criteria for PAK-FA.

[medal64]

I have a question that will PAK-FA,F-35 and F-22 be the latest manned aircrafts.Will after these 5th gen. aircrafts the 6th generation combat aircrafts be unmanned aircrafts.

[rousseau]

The witness declares, that PAKFA is similar to this picture
Other witness speaks, that the tail part is not similar.
I think, that engines are placed widely, as at Su-27.

Yes I agree with you, any PAK FA version, which if it seem to be Raptorski, won't outperform F-22 any more.

[Avimimus]

If the PAKFA is not a twin engined design that it would indicate a major doctrine shift. After all, the Mig-29, Mig-AT, YAK-130 are all smaller aircraft and all have two engines! The original LFI specs called for two engines, the Mig-29 replacement proposal called for two engines...

I would also expect that the PAK-FA will outperform the F-22 in some flight regimes. It should have a higher unladen thrust to weight ratio after all and the Russian's are very good with aerodynamics. If you insist on superiority of the F-22, then you should think about it this way: The Mig-25 easily out flies the F-15, doesn't it?

P.S. Impressive dating techniques Paralay... it sets a new bar for PAKFA information... 

[lantinian]

will PAK-FA,F-35 and F-22 be the latest manned aircrafts

First, it in of topic question.

But here is the of topic answer:
I highly doubt that, though they could be the last atmosphere only fighters.

[Avimimus]

will PAK-FA,F-35 and F-22 be the latest manned aircrafts

First, it in of topic question.

But here is the of topic answer:
I highly doubt that, though they could be the last atmosphere only fighters.

Well if Sukhoi and science fiction can be believed.

I personally think that an unmanned stealth Pucara is the way of the future...

[rousseau]

It is impossible to be true in recent two decades.