I have difficulty envisioning a future light combat aircraft program from Russia, particularly when Yak-130 already partly fills that niche. A medium aircraft in the vein of F-35/J-31 etc. seems rather more likely. As for the powerplant, a single AL-41 solution has numerous benefits:
— minimising program cost and risk
— allowing for more efficient (and thereby potentially more comprehensive) future engine development
— reduction in engine cost from greater economies of scale ripples throughout PAK FA/PAK DA/LMFS programs.
— reduced maintenance requirements and operating costs (compared to two-engine solution)
— improved training and logistics
Against this, a dual RD-33-class powerplant offers only the following:
— somewhat greater thrust (~20%)
— potentially superior weapons bay arrangement (see: J-31 single bay vs. F-35 split bays)
The advantages of AL-41, particularly in the context of an aircraft that is intended to be affordable, would seem to be overwhelming unless there is a requirement for a new ‘medium’ engine independent of LMFS, e.g. for future UCAVs, or unless this new engine is to be created and funded specifically as a joint Indo-Russian project to fulfil India’s indigenous engine requirements.
One of the Americans’ mistakes with their 5G plans was to not share engines between F-22 and F-35 as they did with F-15/16 — indeed, F-22 production might not have been truncated had they done this. In any case, Russia should not repeat America’s mistake (or its own mistake from last-gen…) simply for the sake of MiG/Klimov or whatever.
Sign In
