Youtube videos on Sukhoi T-4. The Russians claimed it was the first aircraft to use Fly-By-Wire(FBW) controls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC8_2OJGq_M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15l2w-lTPFY&feature=related
Sukhoi T-4, or “Aircraft 100”, or “Project 100”, or “Sotka” was a Soviet high speed reconnaissance and interceptor aircraft that did not proceed beyond the prototype stage. It is sometimes incorrectly named Su-100.The T-4 was made largely from titanium and stainless steel, and featured a primitive fly-by-wire control systems but also employed a mechanical system as a backup. The aircraft’s nose lowered to provide visibility during takeoff and landing. A periscope was used for forward viewing when the nose was retracted, and could be employed at speeds of up to 373 mph (600 km/h). Braking parachutes were used in addition to conventional wheel brakes.The first T-4, designated “101,” first flew on August 22, 1972. The test pilot was Vladimir Ilyushin, son of famed aircraft designer, Sergei Ilyushin. It has flown only ten times for a total of less than eleven hours. It is believed to have reached at least Mach 1.3 using four Kolesov RD36-41 engines. These engines each produced 16,000 kgf (35,300 lbf or 157 kN) thrust with afterburners. The aircraft was designed to achieve speeds of up to Mach 3.0, but the program was cancelled before the full performance of the aircraft could be determined.One T-4 survives today. Aircraft “101” is on display at the Monino Museum near Moscow. At least two additional prototypes (“102” and “103”) were under construction, but only aircraft “101” was completed and flown before the project was cancelled in 1974 or 1975. The other two prototypes were scrapped.
General characteristics * Crew: 2 * Length: 44.5 m (146 ft) * Wingspan: 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in) * Height: 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in) * Wing area: 295.7 m² (3,183 ft²) * Empty weight: 55,600 kg (123,000 lb) * Max takeoff weight: 110,000 kg (243,000 lb) * Powerplant: 4× Kolesov RD-36-41 turbofans, 160 kN (35,000 lbf) each
Performance (estimated) * Maximum speed: 3,200 km/h (1,700 knots, 2,000 mph) * Cruise speed: 3,000 km/h (1,900 mph) * Ferry range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi) * Service ceiling: 20,000-24,000 m (66,000-79,000 ft)
Credit: zeoul001@youtube
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