T-50 fighter received the official name of the Su-57

It is reported that the serial version of the T-50 fighter received the official name of the Su-57

                                                       

The latest issue of Air & Cosmos publishes an article by Piotr Butowski and Antony Angrand entitled Du PAK FA au Su-57 , which provides interesting information on the Russian program for the creation of a fifth-generation fighter on the PAK FA theme. Our blog translates this material.

PAK FA will soon receive a new name, now the fifth generation fighter will be called Su-57. However, the production of this twin-engine fighter was revised downward. For two years, the prototype fighter aircraft have undergone the procedure of strengthening the airframe, as well as a number of improvements.

During the first day of the MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon, Russian President Vladimir Putin was to visit the hangar in which the [eighth] prototype of the fifth generation fighter PAK FA, a copy of T-50-9, was located. At the same time it was supposed to complete the procedure of signing the document on the end of the first stage of tests and the recommendation to start serial production of a batch of aircraft. However, Vladimir Putin decided to change his route and did not go to the hangar. The new designation PAK FA was not announced and the fighter is waiting for another chance so that its official name was named. The eighth flying prototype of the PAK FA fighter aircraft is T-50-9 (onboard number "509"), Zhukovsky, July 2017 (c) Artem Anikeev / Russianplanes.net ( link )

Configuration after installation of electronic equipment

The last copy of T-50-9 has a set of on-board equipment, which will be installed on the serial Su-57. On previous prototypes, the kit was installed partially, so some cars carried only fake electronic equipment. 

Arrangement of elements of avionics of the Su-57 fighter (with) Piotr Butowski / Air & Cosmos

All systems and devices are interconnected and controlled by a central processor. Sukhoi Design Bureau is responsible for the integration of systems, which happens for the first time. In the past, the developers were responsible for integrating the fire control system and the navigation system. On Sukhoi fighters, this work was usually conducted by Ramenskoe Instrument Design Bureau JSC. Electronic systems include the radar complex of the weapons control system Ш121 and the optic-electronic integrated system 101KS. System Ш121 was developed by JSC "NIIP named after V.V. Tikhomirov "from Zhukovsky and includes the radar H036 and the system for setting up electronic interference L402. The H036 "Belka" radar includes five antennas with AFAR, three in the X-band and two in the L-band, which control the space at 270 degrees (135 degrees to the left and right of the aircraft axis). The use of the L-band in the operation of the radar in the air-to-air mode is the main means of detecting low-profile aircraft from the T-50. According to the director of the NIIP Yuri Belykh, the last radar H036, produced by the pilot production of the institute, is installed on the T-50-9 plane. Future aircraft will be equipped with a radar produced by JSC "State Ryazan Instrument Plant".

The onboard defense complex L402 "Himalayas" developed by the JSC "Kaluga Radio Engineering Research Institute" and the production of the Stavropol PAO "Signal" has its own antennas, but since it operates on the same wavelengths as the radar, it uses H036 antennas. 

Optical-electronic complex 101KS "Atoll" developed by JSC "Production Association" Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant "(UOMZ) in Yekaterinburg allows you to control airspace in the optical range around the perimeter of the aircraft, as well as to protect the aircraft from attacking missiles. The "Atoll" consists of the IRST system 101KS-B, located in front of the engine nacelles, four sensors detecting missiles in the ultraviolet range, which have a 360-degree view, as well as two 101S-O sensors, which, according to UOMZ, Are systems for generating interference in the infrared range. Another sensor - 101KS-P consists of a small device for infrared vision, which helps the pilot during maneuvers at low altitude or when landing. In addition, the container of navigation and target designation of the navigation container 101KS-N is being developed.

Plans for production of a small series

According to the official document "Action Program of the Ministry of Defense of Russia for the period 2013-2020", published in 2013, the achievement of the initial operational readiness and the start of mass production were planned for December 31, 2016. This period was not sustained, although the document did not say who is responsible for this. The head of UAC, Yury Slyusar, stated before the opening of MAKS-2017 that three more T-50 prototypes will be assembled in the framework of the contract for R & D, and that in 2019 the plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur will begin deliveries of the first batch of fighters.

According to the press release of the company "Sukhoi" in connection with MAKS-2017 air show, "the first stage of the State tests is coming to its end ... The stability and controllability at subsonic and supersonic speeds at high and low altitudes, as well as at supercritical angles of attack were confirmed" . The first stage of the State Test is very advanced in flight tests. But only passing the second stage of the tests, during which flight control and armament control systems are tested. Allows you to officially accept the aircraft for service in Russia.

The plans for the purchase of the Su-57 VKS of Russia were also revised downwards. On March 23, 2015, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov visited a plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where he said that the Russian Air Force will be able to purchase a smaller number of T-50s, in comparison with the planned volume in the GPV 2020, and to buy Su-30 fighters And Su-35, not so expensive. The Russian media cited a source in the Russian Defense Ministry, which said that until 2020 VCS will purchase only one T-50 squadron (12 vehicles), instead of 60 aircraft stipulated in the GPO-2020. 

One of the reasons for the reduction in the number of Su-57s purchased is the internal competition between the 4+ fighters, primarily the Su-35, whose potential is comparable to the Su-57, with the exception of low-level indicators. In the development of Yuri Borisov's statement, That "Su-35 fighters of the 4+ generation, according to military pilots, demonstrated very good characteristics." The Ministry of Defense of Russia has ordered a total of 98 Su-35S and 116 Su-30SM. Source

Sukhoi Pak Fa T-50 (Su-57): Details