The original R179-300 was developed for the Yak-41 and was considerably weaker than this. The improved variant proposed for the S-32 had a specified reheat thrust of 20000 kg or so, but there is no proof that this engine ever made it beyond the concept stage. For the eventuel S-37 Sukhoi opted for the same AL-41F engine as used by/proposed for the MiG MFI. This was the only new engine that progressed to the prototype stage. At the end only the 1.44 and flying testbeds were fitted with this engine. To cut it short a paper project isn’t of relevance here.

Umm, isn’t Paralay’s picture showing that if anything, this engine progressed rather further away than a paper project? It probably wasn’t flight tested, but surely they must have built at least several test specimens. Btw, some sources (not sure how reliable) allege that this engine ended up in China, possibly being the base for their WS-15 said to produce 16,500kgf.

Back to T-50, indeed it is rather useless to “discuss” anything with some of these folks who feel the need to bring the “America strong!!!!!111!!!” and “F-35!!!111!” crap in this topic every once in a while (and this assuming that mister F.D. is not a troll). Much more interesting are the actual developments in this program, either the next flying specimen or the one after that reportedly will introduce “significant” changes- whatever that entitles (though no, they surely won’t have flat nozzles and one piece canopy and all that stuff). It will be very interesting to watch when they hopefully appear sometime in the mid /second half of 2014.

No Type 30 engine in 2014 folks, it’s been said 100 times, the first series to be delivered by 2020 (60?) will have Izd.117 engines, while subsequent series will have Type 30 engines, and possibly other refinements (no i’m not talking about flat nozzles- obviously Sukhoi thinks they are not necessary). It’s only in 2014 when the new engine will appear in prototype form, they have to test it on the ground and in the air, eventually correct defects, that would take a few years. Imo, i would expect an Izd. 30 powered T-50 in about 2017, and once everything is tested and works as it should the “T-50M” should enter production just before or about 2020.

On another theme, i still can’t get my head around why there are two T-50-6s, namely 6-1 and 6-2 and apparently both flying! (on the other hand, they have the non-numeral T-50-KNS…)
Few weeks ago insiders said 50-7 will be ready in spring (for LIS testing?), and that -6 ( or two -6s?!) and -8 would follow, so imo they should fly in the second half on 2014.

Is it?

There is a crank in the paint job along the “leading edge” of the tone switch, corresponding to the fan art.

They also have aligned the trailing edge (including inconsistencies over the elevator) approximately the same as the fan art.

Having a laugh? I think so.

Again, Sukhoi won’t be spending tens of thousands of dollars in paint just to troll some “fan-artists”. They are doing serious stuff there with that cammo, not having a laugh at fan-art.

Great stuff Austin, thanks! I was under the impression that the 600 aircraft figure includes transport and special mission aircraft, but seems i’m wrong? 600 fighters alone, that would be sweet. However i can only count as already signed contracts and estimated deliveries 96 Su-35S, 90 Su-30SM, 124 Su-34, 60-70 T-50, 37-48 MiG-35, 32 MiG-29SMT and 24 MiG-29K, plus about 97 Yak-130, but not sure if the Yaks are included in “fighters” or not, in which case it’s indeed getting close to 600! Would that be roughly right? However, considering as of now they say only about 100 new aircraft of all types and 300 helos have been delivered, the full completion will take one or two years past 2020 imo. Not unexpected.

Awesome to see something new. I was trying to figure out where did i saw something similar to the light colour on 055, and it was the indian FGFA/PMI model that had an overall light colour (possibly the same). Should it be assumed that this is the sort of cammo VVS wants on production birds, or is this for testing this particular cammo’s effectiveness? Well probably the shark analogy is the best, it sure plays trick with ones’ eyes and i bet it will be a nuisance to try to spot it during a russian winter.

Can’t believe they went to that trouble just to poke fun at:

That is only a coincidence, i find it impossible to believe the Sukhois folks would lower themselves and gave attention to that horrible “fan-art”.

Btw, 055 bristles with antennas, there’s a radiation sticker on the beaver tail again, apart from LEVCONS and LE slats. Something MUST be in there. Should it be assumed that the white fin tops and wing tips are dielectric too?

3 more Su-34 delivered to Southern Military District. I see borts 01 and 03 in grey cammo.
http://www.otr-online.ru/news/18265.html

I’m guessing they are going to run it in Moscow for a while, then send it straight to Akhtubinsk for you-know-what.

What would be T-50-6-1 and T-50-6-2? Maybe -6 is the static after all, and for some reason it will be tested in two pieces or what?! Surely can’t be two T-50-6s.
Btw, what would be the points of interests in the two page internal document released? What is supposed to be completed (my interpretation) by the end of this month, there are alot of airframes mentioned. Handing over, or just finishing all systems testing before that? Thanks.