The previous posts pointing out it was using a different engine than Su-35? Yes, I read those.
It wasn’t clear to me they were talking about an entirely different core, as opposed to digital FADEC and various tweaks. I have posted saying if that was all it is, it seems strange not to bring it into the Su-35 program.

I would say it’s because it’s meant for export and/or there must be left something to offer as an upgrade option later on… Either way, russian engines’ life cycle is traditionally very low, so at the -BM will need an engine replacement, at least once in its operational life.

If the alternative is true, meaning there is no further planned engine for PAK-FA besides what is now flying, then great for them! 🙂

Don’t get me wrong. I was stunned when I read it in the first place too. But the only other option would be to claim that the president of NPO Saturn is… shamelessly lying.

Otherwise I agree: Great for them! Demonstrates russian capabilities in aviation engine development.

Well said Aspis, nothing more to add.

Only two examples I could think off where PAK FA might (and its a big might) take away from Eurocanards are:

-Greece – Again having been there for extended period, Greeks have relatively mild attitude towards Russians. Most are very annoyed at west and US in particular over what they see as favoritism of Turkey. They see Turks as huge threat and most believe it will attack again with in a decade. Considering that Turks are level 2 Partner in F35 program Greeks have been looking at Eurocanards to add to their arsenal of Block52 Falcons… and with Turks getting F35 in addition to upgrading all of their F16 to Block50+ … a westernised PAK FA might sound good for Greeks who have in past bought Russian kit (S300)… PAK Fa with European/Israeli AESA, Electronic, ECM ,Coms,Weapons etc. could be seen as giving Turkish fatboy run for its money.

Correction: We don’t see them as a huge threat, they are a huge threat. If it was not for turkish expantionalism and provocations, today we would have an airforce in the size of say the belgian one and be very happy about it.

Either way, when pigs fly:

1) Greece will ask Russia to buy PAK FA
2) Russia will agree to sell Greece PAK FA

For quite a few reasons.

P.S. Back in 1999, a special (downgraded that is) version of the F-15E was offered to Greece and was instantly favoured by the Air Force, but then PM Simitis opted for smaller, cheaper and more F-16s. This hopefully gives a clue. Also, back then the Su-30MK too was offered, in fact it was cheaper than even F-16s, but was rejected by everybody.

I don’t understand that. Patriots are made by Raytheon. What kind of sanctions will China impose to Raytheon?? :confused: They won’t buy Patriots for Chinese air defense? 😀

In our globalised world, China makes everything for everybody. All american firms have doughter companies in China. WTF? Boeing even receives some parts for its commercial airliners from… from… Russia!

But it works both ways, since China too needs the US market in order to sell its products.

So it’s sword rattling, mostly. As usual.

No more Air Traffic Management system from them. New airports have been popping up in china like wild fires. A huge potential market in the civilian sector will be lost.

That too, is a good enough reason. Generally, most american defence firms either sell some of their civilian products to China (chinese airlines are a major customer of Boeing aircraft) or buy parts and outsource assemply work to China.

Don’t you just love capitalism??! :diablo:

Cannot tell about the engines but why in the world would they want to install a new radar on a very first flight? :confused:

I would imagine that the YF119 engine was far from fully developed back in 1990, so I don’t know why they would want to use the right engine right away either, I mean, if they opted for the 117S or so for the first flight, it would be perfectly understandable.

On the other hand, if you think Russia will produce 350-400 of these guys even in the next 30 years…you’re playing with yourself too much.

So, you are actually a prophet and can predict the future? Otherwise, I don’t see how you or any other for that matter could possibly make such a bold statement about 2040.

Since I don’t see the picture of PAK-FA cockpit, I can’t compare it with the su-35’s cockpit. Because Im waiting some suprises at its cockpit.

OK, maybe I exaggerated a little bit, but my point is that the PAK FA’s cockpit shares most of the instruments of the Su-35BM’s cockpit. So in essence, it’s pointless to see the PAK-FA’s cockpit right now. You won’t see the surprise that you (and me and others) expect.

Thats also I know that these aircrafts cockpits will be too much similar but Im sure there are some differences such they did at HUD and I wonder the position of the stick!

Initially yes, they will be similar, but as the PAK FA matures into a production model, the similarities will be scarce IMHO.

Originally Posted by MadRat View Post
Has anyone done a quality 3-view of the prototype yet?

No, its in progress. You cant have the quality and the fast speed in the same time.

That should do it for the time being…

http://jasonjeffrey.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/pak-fa.jpg

http://media.photobucket.com/image/PAK%20FA/Hawkwood_777/Russian%20weapons/PAK_FA_color.jpg

Not PAK FA, but amazingly (though not surprisingly) similar.

Aren’t canards a 4th gen characteristic because they’re incompatible with stealth?

Yes, they are. My thoughts: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1516659#post1516659