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Russia's prototype fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 fighter jet, on which will be based India's new super fighter has carried out its first successful long-range flight.

The T-50 fighter which features elements of 'stealth-technology', super-cruise capability, advanced avionics suite including an X-band active phased-array radar underwent a long range flight from its manufacturing plant in Russia's far-east to an airfield near Moscow yesterday, Ria-Novosti reported quoting Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

"It is a breakthrough " Rogozin who oversees the Russian defence industry, wrote in his Twitter blog adding, " The plane flew 7,000 kms, making two landings, in Abakan and Chelyabinsk, on the way to the Russian capital."

A derivative of the stealth fighter is being developed for the Indian air force and an IAF version is to be test flighted in 2014.

The Indo-Russian version which is called the perspective multi-role fighter is to be developed at an estimated cost of USS 30 billion. The deal is reported to be in its final stages.

The plane joined three other T-50 prototype models at the Zhukovsky airfield prior to state flight tests, which are scheduled to start in March 2013. The T-50, also known as project PAK-FA, first flew in January 2010 and was presented to the public at the Moscow Air Show in 2011.

The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to finish the state flight tests of eight prototypes by 2015, so that they could go into standard production in 2016. The fighter is expected to form the core of Russia's future fighter fleet.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 19.8 m (65.9 ft)
• Wingspan: 14 m (46.6 ft)
• Height: 6.05 m (19.8 ft)
• Wing area: 78.8 m2 (848.1 ft2)
• Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,785 lb)
• Loaded weight: 28,800 kg (63,490 lb)
• Useful load: 7,500 kg (combat load) (16,534 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,570 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × AL-41F1 for prototypes[N 1][105] turbofan, 147 kN (33,047 lb) for prototypes;[106] 175 kN (34,620+ lbf) for definitive engine version[106][107] each
• Fuel capability: 10,300 kg (22,711 lb)[103]

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2+, 2,100-2,600 km/h[103][105][108] (1,300-1,560 mph) ; at 17,000 m (55774.3 ft) altitude
• Cruise speed: 1,300-1,800 km/h[105] (808-1,118 mph)
• Ferry range: 5,500 km[109] (3,417 mi)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 350 m/s (68,900 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 330-470 kg/m2 (67-96 lb/ft2)
• Thrust/weight: 1.10
• Maximum g-load: 9+ g[103]

Armament

• Guns: None on prototype. Apparent provision for a cannon (most likely GSh-301). Possible two 30 mm cannon.[18]
• Hardpoints: 10 internal hardpoints and up to 6 external hardpoints: two internal bays running longitudinally on the fuselage supporting 6 R-27/R-77 AAMs (3 each)[110] or 4 R-33/R-37 AAMs (2 each), plus 2 small internal wing bays for 2 R-73 AAMs and up to six external hardpoints.[111] Including the advanced X-38 air to surface missile.[112]

Avionics
[113]

• AESA N050 built by Tikhomirov NIIP. Presumably T-50 radar is a development of Irbis-E designed for Su-35BM[114][115]
  • Speculated specifications:Radar complex Sh-121 comprising five elements, namely
    • Main X-band Active electronically scanned arrayradar,size of 900 by 700 mm and with 1522 T/R modules
    • 2 Side facing smaller X-bandActive electronically scanned array radars,to increase angular coverage
    • 2 L-bandActive electronically scanned array on the Leading-edge extension for good vlo detection
    • Possible rear facing X-bandActive electronically scanned arrayfor indian Sukhoi/HAL FGFA
• OEIS(opto-electronic integrated system)101KS:Consists of 4 parts[116][117]
  • 101KC-D:anti IR seeker
  • 101KC-B:quantam optical radar system
  • 101KC-Y:Optical system for issuing HQ to COP-O
  • 101KC-H:air to ground mode