On the contrary, something very similar to the PAK-FA will fly before the end
of the decade, the problem Sukhoi is indeed facing is that what is being built
now is becoming more and more yet another demonstrator (1.44, S-37 and
now this), which in turn maybe the indication of an incremental
development strategy gone wrong.
The point of this strategy was to introduce progressively the technologies
developed for the PAK-FA into systems for Flanker derivatives (Su-35BM), in
order to make some profits that would in turn help to fund further R&D efforts
for the PAK-FA. In turn the first production PAK-FAs would be less capable
aircraft still using still interim sensor and weapon systems from the ultimate flanker variants.
What seems to be happening is that this approach maybe not so clever, and
is introducing more and more delays to the PAK-FA development.
The critical system here is the engine. What I think will happen is that a
prototype will indeed fly before the end of the decade, but powered by
AL-31 engines, which will be a good test platform for some purposes, but
could become a pointless demonstrator if the development stage of the AL-41
has no end in sight. No AL-41, no supercruise. No supercruise, no 5th
generation aircraft. This makes it pointless to start PAK-FA production
without a 5th generation engine ready. Procuring Su-35BMs is more logic
than PAK-FAs with interim systems, which would only be superior to the
Flanker in what concerns to stealth, while being almost certainly much more
expensive…
Thank you komrad klingsor as i couldnt have said it better myself in english…
no it may look like a game of numbers but its not its very serious since billions are at stake.Now politicians and ivanovs guy zelin ,want 100-110% of raptors capabilities at 50% price…then answer from tehnicians and statistic math people is no way [modest estimates],then some of cabinet change their mind some stick to their thoughts ,then other way around they come and say we can get 63% capabilities at 40% price ore 75% at 55% price…politics and economists say no way it has to be 60 mil tops or will get mfi product back online,then they say its 33% price of f-22 we can get 50% capabilities,other side say but thats too low.i am aproximating numbers but idea is correct they ve been going back and forth calculating and recalculating all with different ideas whats best, and now sukhoi engeneers realising what their up against and having to swallow their over optimistic promises…
if its be smaller and cheaper then f-22 it cant have same range on smaller fuel ,and go the same distance in supercruise as f-22 wich is unfortunate since in ussr we allways strived for big ranges, and then they say no prob we make bleeding edge engines,so that stalls saturns advances program,shifting requirements is never a good thing.
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