We are talking item 117S which is prototype engines for PAK FA, also used in production model of Su-35BM.

Vladimir79 wrote:We are talking item 117S which is prototype engines for PAK FA, also used in production model of Su-35BM.

Darn it. If they are going with the 117S that means the technical problems with the AL-41 have not been worked out. That is just unfortunate to say the least. The 117S is derived from AL-31 series engines but the grand daddy of the Russian engine world is/was supposed to be AL-41 originally developed for the Mig 1.44. Maybe going forward once the bugs are fixed this engine will power the PAK-FA

There is nothing to be damned. 117S was always supposed to be the prototype engine. Be thankful that came out since they were considering using AL-31F. A totally new engine between Ufa and Saturn will be made with 17.5 tonnes of thrust. That was always the plan.

First flight of the T-50 will be held in Zhukovsky before the New Year
24/11/2009

Just a short time left before the start of flight testing of fighter T 50. This is the most mysterious and most anticipated military aircraft project Russia in recent years. Heavy multifunctional fifth generation fighter aircraft developed by Yakovlev Design Bureau. PO Sukhoi.

He created the program "Prospective complex Frontal Aviation" - PAK FA, so often called himself a plane. The appearance and technical characteristics of fighter aircraft are now the military secret. Nevertheless, something already known, and the rest you can invent. So, what will the future "master of heaven" - T-50? For a long time about how the car will look, nothing was known. But now, on the basis of several semi-official figures and some official statements can be understood as follows. The appearance of the aircraft would be very unusual.

T-50 is a heavy twin-engine fighter aircraft with maximum takeoff weight of approximately 32-35 tons. It has a variable sweep delta wing and a large area. Wing loading is less than its overseas rivals F-22A Raptor. This, together with other aerodynamic properties allow it to surpass the maneuverability "Raptor". It is not only in the wing, but in an integral arrangement of aircraft in general, when the fuselage also creates a lifting force. Most modern fighters are forced to reach supersonic speeds include afterburner, several times faster than wasting fuel. The new aircraft will be able to fly at supersonic speeds without the inclusion of Afterburner - the so-called supersonic cruising. Now this can only ultrafast MiG-31 and American F-22A and F-35. This is an important quality allows the fighter to go faster than the line interception, quickly change the position for the attack, covering large areas quickly leave the battle, or to break away from the enemy, without risking to remain without fuel ahead of time.

T-50 will be hardly noticeable to the enemy radar. It has two keels small area set with the break to reduce radar visibility. The shape of the nose, cockpit, air intakes, stabilizers, too, would reduce the visibility of the aircraft.

To be slight, the plane should carry arms in the inner compartments. For this task the designers seem to have coped well - T-50 has at least 2 large storage compartments range air-to-air ": very large-scale, large and medium-range (they can be used for bombs), and compartments for missiles near the air battle. If you perform a combat mission low profile is required, the weapon can be placed on the external suspension, including adjustable, bombs and guided missiles. The combat load the aircraft with the deployment of weapons within the reach up to 2,5 m, and the total - 7 tons. Range without refueling is not yet known, but it should be nothing less than the new Su-35C - 3,6-4 thousand kilometers.

However, to determine the appearance of T-50 has only relatively. Statements by officials are often very contradictory. Although one can not exclude deliberate disinformation competitors and adversaries. The combat effectiveness of the T-50 depends on the "stuffing" almost more than on the aerodynamics.

This is particularly the engines. The first flying prototype equipped with two engines of production NPO Saturn. In the future, are likely to be tested and the development MNPP "Salute". Their engines are already being installed on the Su-35C. This is a modern powerful engine with variable vserakursnym thrust vector. Serial car will have a completely new engine design which is now. In the conduct of air combat these engines provide the T-50 extremely high thrust-weight ratio. Management will be fully digital, integrated into the overall control of the aircraft.

There will also be included and a set of weapon control aircraft. It will become a powerful on-board radar (radar) with the active phased array created NIIP them. Tikhomirov. Radar antenna will have approximately 1,500 units with total capacity of about 20 kW. Prototype antenna has already demonstrated at MAKS-2009. With the help of the aircraft can detect targets at ranges of over 400 km (for large targets), both accompanied by up to 60 air targets and fire at once to 16.

Of course, just 60 goals to fire the aircraft can not, he would convey these neighbors who can fly with the radar switched off. To do this it will be installed multi-channel system of information exchange.

T-50 will be equipped with a new set of electronic surveillance and control, which is able to detect the enemy, not including the radar and demaskiruyas, and "crush" the enemy's interference. All this will allow him to see everything around him, attacking in different directions, while often remain invisible. Judging from the cockpit of Su-35C, which worked through part zadumok for a new car, to fight in the T-50 pilot to be comfortable. All information will be displayed on the large color LCD screen, display on the windshield and helmet display and sighting system.

First and foremost important for a fighter missiles air-to-air missiles. T-50 missiles will be armed with extra high-range (420 km), able to turn the plane in the "flying C-400". Inside, he will be able to carry them at least 2 pcs., From the outside - more. This missile is ideally suited for the interception of critical and hard targets. Also new aircraft arm the missiles with ranges of 120 and 230 km. For melee fighter will have a new highly maneuverable missile with thermal homing head. This will give her an exceptional opportunity to capture even missiles. These missiles are being developed and will appear in the series in 2014. On the inside of the suspension will be up to 12 pcs. and more at external location. Not forgotten, and weapons to destroy ground targets - Radar, antiship missiles, bombs adjustable with different guidance systems. Will and air gun, 30 mm, which can destroy the enemy in melee burst of 3-5 rounds with high accuracy. At the moment, completed the first flying prototype, built several boards installation party. The first flight will take place in Zhukovsky quite soon - before the New Year.

The tests will last a long time, almost five years, and only in 2015 the first production T 50 will go on air, first for military trials, and then drill a squadron. Overall, the Air Force of Russia are interested in buying 450 to 600 of these machines. To release a T-50 will be in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and at dozens of allied enterprises in the country. These aircraft will replace the 2025 obsolete by the time the MiG-29 and Su-27. Planned and changed the deck for new aircraft carriers.

Irina Makarova based on military publications

Well hope this is true and final .. so our agony of waiting can end in great pleasure.

LOL, someone is going to get fired for that.

Russia could start 5th generation fighter tests by yearend

RIA Novosti

23/12/200915:40

MOSCOW, December 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia could start tests of its fifth-generation fighter in late 2009 or early 2010, a deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

"We are not making any New Year presents, but flight tests will start in the very near future," said Sergei Ivanov, who oversees the defense sectors of industry.

He said on December 8 the trials would begin in 2010.

Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin has said the fighter, which has been under development since the 1990s, will enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor (so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter aircraft) and F-35 Lightning II, but has yet to take to the skies.

The T-50's maiden flight has been repeatedly postponed since early 2007 for unspecified reasons.

However, in August 2009, Russian Air Force Chief Alexander Zelin said that there were problems with the engines and research was ongoing.

The PAK FA is believed to possess advanced avionics, stealth capability, a ferry range of 4,000 to 5,500 km, and endurance of 3.3 hrs; it is armed with next-generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship missiles, and has two 30-mm cannons.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2009/russia-091223-rianovosti02.htm

Russian 5th-generation fighter to make maiden flight on Friday
RIA Novosti

28/01/201013:13

MOSCOW, January 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is set to hold the first test of its futuristic fifth-generation fighter jet on Friday, a source at the country's largest aircraft producer said on Thursday.

"The [test] flight was initially scheduled for Thursday, but has been postponed," the source at the Gagarin KNAAPO company, a subsidiary of aircraft holding Sukhoi, said.

Russia's only known fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II, but has yet to take to the skies.

Speaking at a news conference later on Thursday, the chief of the Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said India remained Russia's sole partner in the project.

"We [Russia and India] are working to build the fifth-generation aircraft," Anatoly Isaikin said.

Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The country's top military officials earlier said the stealth fighter jet with a range of up to 5,500 km would enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

India, which has a long history of defense relations with Russia, joined the project after signing an agreement in October 2007. But the two nations are still in talks to finalize the contract.

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was reported to be seeking a 25% share in design and development in the project. It has also sought to modify Sukhoi's single-seat prototype into the twin-seat fighter India's Air Force wants.

Russia accounts for around 70% of India's weapons inventory. HAL has license-produced Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, cooperated in the development of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, and plans to work on a joint multirole transport aircraft.

Defense ties have strained, however, over the fifth-generation fighter program and the rising cost of refurbishing the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian navy.

The PAK FA is to be armed with next-generation air-to-air, air-to-surface, and air-to-ship missiles, and has two 30-mm cannons.

The first prototype of the jet was already tested on the runway of the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia's Far East. The test pilot made two runs on the airstrip, during which the brakes were applied several times.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-100128-rianovosti01.htm

It has finally arrived. Thank god, it isn't vaporware. I was starting to think that Russia should have just gone with the Mig-1.42 design and further it.
Remind you though, this is an early prototype of the 5th gen jet. Chances of it having some characteristic changes are high. The engines used where only the 4th gen, and other technical equipment where probably that of older gen. This is an airframe test, to show that the characteristics of stealth design and materials that will work for the future aircraft.

Few more videos:

Russian 5th-generation fighter makes 2nd flight

RIA Novosti

12/02/201012:15

MOSCOW, February 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's prototype fifth-generation fighter has made a second test flight in the Far East, a Defense Ministry official told RIA Novosti on Friday.

"Russian specialists have been carefully monitoring the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so we can compare the newest Russian fighter with it," the official said, adding that the plane had "a very bright future."

After a number of test flights in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the aircraft will be transported to the Zhukovsky airbase near Moscow for final testing.

A prototype of the fighter made a 47-minute maiden flight in Russia's Far East on January 29.

Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The current prototype, known as the T-50, was designed by the Sukhoi design bureau and built at a plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Russian officials have already hailed the fighter as "a unique warplane" that combines the capabilities of an air superiority fighter and attack aircraft.

Earlier this week, Russia's Air Force chief said the first batch of fifth-generation fighters would go into service in 2015.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-100212-rianovosti01.htm

Russia, India to develop joint 5G-fighter by 2016

RIA Novosti

02/03/201015:03

MOSCOW, March 2 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian-Indian fifth-generation fighter jet could be developed by 2015-2016, a Russian defense industry official said on Tuesday.

Moscow and New Delhi are expected to sign a contract on a joint development of the new fighter in the near future, focusing on the design concept and technical requirements put forward by India.

"I hope that we will be able to build a joint fifth-generation aircraft in the next five to six years. It is a time-consuming and complex project," said Alexander Fomin, first deputy head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation.

The new aircraft will be most likely based on Russia's T-50 prototype fifth-generation fighter, which has already made two test flights and is expected to join the Russian Air Force in 2015.

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was reported to be seeking a 25% share in design and development in the project.

Fomin said the fighter for the Indian Air Force could incorporate several integrated on-board systems developed by third parties.

"The integration is good because we will not have to invent a bicycle and can use the things that our neighbors already have, but it is also a difficult task because we will have to combine all the elements in a unified system," the official said.

The new fighter for the Indian Air Force is expected to feature a two-seat cockpit, advanced electronics and could be armed with BrahMos supersonic missiles.

Russia has been developing its fifth-generation fighter since the 1990s. The current prototype, known as the T-50, was designed by the Sukhoi design bureau and built at a plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in Russia's Far East.

Russian officials have already hailed the fighter as "a unique warplane" that combines the capabilities of an air superiority fighter and attack aircraft.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-100302-rianovosti02.htm

New PAk-FA pics.