Some insider news on T-50-5, i’ve ran it though a translator. First flight should be near.
http://vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/0/co/2509907.htm

T-50-5 today, looked around Defense Commission.

In the fifth specimen was first installed:
1) The side AFAR (allegedly)
2) The gun
3) The points of suspension arms (including in the main cargo compartment)
4) The weapon control system

The aircraft will be the first time to participate in the test launches, some of the work already
performed on the Su-35.

6th specimen will be non-flying (ie, tests whether the EPR, then, whether the strength tests).
7th pattern is expected to be significantly different from the first on your
external appearance.

Oh the insupportable wait.:)

While most of the above is beyond my grasp, i’d like to thank you for the persistent research into these very interesting and less obvious/known matters regarding the PAK-FA programme.

Accoding to some sources on russian aviation it was felt the Mig-35 wasnt ready to be produced for the airforce . Technology was not matured to be in production aircraft. Money wasnt the real reason, delayed till 2016.

Yes but what exactly needs to mature is that i don’t understand. The MiG-35 is practically 95% identical to MiG-29K except the OEIS and IF SELECTED the AESA radar. Obviously the airframe is mature enough, so does that mean the AESA and the OEIS is not “mature” yet? Isn’t the OEIS similar to the one on Su-35S and made by the same company or am i mistaken? I can buy that the AESA is not ready yet, but even if a contract would be signed this year, the aircraft won’t be delivered until 2015 anyway (unless they get f.e. the syrian ones upgraded to russian standard), so surely there would be enough time to qualify the AESA*. The targeting pod- same story.

IMO even a baseline MiG-35 with the Zhuk-M2, with no OEIS and no targeting pod is still light years ahead of any old 9.13/9.13S or even SMT currently in service, say getting 72 as per initial plans (apparently) of these until 2020 will represent an enourmous boost for the light fighter force, and coupled with the most optimistic scenario of also adding the 16 plus 16 SMTs vehiculated recently, this will basically regenerate the light fighter force, they can easily serve 25-30 years with a MLU in 12-15 years incorporating all the meanwhile matured PAK-FA technology (avionics, weapons).**

Anyway, just a fanboy speaking. Perhaps the statements that the MiG-35 deal is on track with delivery from 2015 is true after all, maybe all this chatter about postponing the order was political posturing?

Btw, thanks for the excerpt from AI Austin.

* unless they actually want this new 3D TRM technology on the MiG-35 from the start?
** same with all the new Sukhois, even the SM3 and Su-30M2 can be easily given a MLU in the mid twenties incorporating the latest radar and avionics (AESA, OEIS, new ECM and weapons) to offer significant new capabilities at a comparatively small price.

Then why did they postponed the MiG-35 buy for financial reasons? 🙁 If it’s 1.1 billion for 24 MiG-35, then that’s sort-of peanuts compared to the budget at hand no ?

052:
http://russianplanes.net/id121567

Say, what about these rumoured numerous modification of T-50-5, like for instance for LEVCONs, as well as internal and avionics? Anyone with more info (if it’s not secretno, of course)? Thanks.

Said to be the ninth Su-30SM to take to the air.
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/629247.html

Persistent rumours on russian fora still speak about Su-30SM having Izd.99SM engines, a variant of 99M2/ AL-31F-M2 with 14,000kgf! (presumably the difference between SM and M2 is the TVC nozzle). Also supposedly this engine is (or will be) on Su-30M2, possibly the new lot of 16. Any sort of confirmation to these rumours?

What is (fairly) certainly known from open sources is that they will get 6 Mi-35M and 36 Mi-28NE. Imo the Mi-35s were picked up either as stopgaps and/or because they were quickly available, the iraqis needs gunships like air right now considering the increasing terrorist threat.

Couple more shot of the desert cammo Mi-35M belonging (99.9% certain) to Iraq. All 6 should now be delivered in October.
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/622741.html

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