Konstantin Makienko (member of the Scientific-Expert Advisory Council of the State Duma Committee on Defence, and editor of Moscow Defence Brief) has Q&A with ‘MK’.ru:
– It is said that this Thursday will be the first flight of Fifth-Generation Fighter. Meanwhile in the U.S. the prototype heavy fighter YF-22 took off back in 1991. Now the U.S. Air Force has more than a hundred front-line F-22s. Why are we so far behind the U.S.?
Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rate of fifth-generation fighter development in both countries were generally comparable. The prototype aircraft developed by Russia’s Mikoyan firm (product 1.44) was ready to fly in 1994-1995, but due to lack of financial resources has made two flights in 1999 alone, and the programme was discontinued.
In conditions of chronic under-funding of Russia’s military-industrial complex, it was not possible to create such a complex weapons system, like fifth-generation fighter, equal to U.S. standards. In fact, the normal budget Financing project was open only in 2005-2006, but up to this point work was carried out mainly at Sukhoi’s own expense. From this point of view, if we can assume that the real hard work on the PAK-FA programme began only in mid-decade.
In addition, by following the Americans we can minimize the conceptual and technical risks, to avoid the mistakes that were committed by the leader of the race. Also note that Russia remains the only country, except the United States, with a capability to create a fifth generation fighter.
In the World there’ll probably be only three such states- the United States, Russia and China.
– Why was Sukhoi declared the winner of the 5th gen fighter contest when MiG, as you said, already had a flying prototype of this aircraft?
In 2002, the most important factor in choosing “Sukhoi” as the winner was the ability of the OKB to begin work on the PAK FA with the company’s own funds. Sukhoi beat “MiG” not only in the financial sense, but also, most importantly, had a much more impressive capacity to innovate. But now in the United Aircraft Building Corporation will open prospects for subcontracting the PAK FA programme.
-The U.S., along with the heavyweight F-22, has created an easier and cheaper mass-produced fifth-generation fighter- F-35. Why has Russia gone towards the creation of a heavy machine, but not a cheap lightweight fighter?
This is quite justified. Russia and our partner on this project, India – are countries with vast territories, and in any case, we need a powerful machine with a big heavy capability and increased radius of action.
– It is considered that the distinctive features of a fifth generation fighter – are low profile RCS, radar with active phased array antenna, supersonic cruising speed and maneuverability. Will PAK FA have all these attributes?
Yes. The aerodynamic configuration of PAK FA is slightly more conservative compared to the F-22, but without a doubt, measures have been implemented on the aircraft to reduce it’s visibility in all (not just radar) physical fields. For the PAK FA is being developed not just a radar with an active antenna, but an entire multi-purpose integrated radar system, which will contain five built-in antennas.
-When the plane finally actually appears, won’t it will be “golden”? So expensive that it will not find buyers. What is your prediction: How many of these machines are the Russian and the Indian Air Forces planning to buy?
Based on the economic opportunities in Russia and the needs of its air force, we can assume that prior to 2025-2030 we should have to buy from between 150 to 200 fifth-generation fighters. Today, however, to accurately predict this, is of course, impossible, because the real economic situation for Russia in 2020 is unknown.
The Indian Air Force, I think, will order a minimum of 200-250 such aircraft, and India’s the rate of economic growth remain at levels of the current decade, that is about 7-8%, we can hope for larger purchases.
Full article:
http://www.mk.ru/politics/interview/2010/01/26/418435-degustatsiya-suhogo.html
Sign In
