PAK-FA / T-50: Russian 5th Generation Fighter

Status
Not open for further replies.

Bonza

Super Moderator
Staff member
Where's that shot from? It looks a lot like an earlier shot from the first flight. Could it just be a shop?

Also there have been 3 flights to date, and two more prototypes are ready to fly.
Looks photoshopped to me maybe? If you blow the image up, take a close look at the tip of the nose. It looks like the probe that was present on the prototypes we've seen thus far has been chopped off. If you save the image and zoom right in it looks like there's some weird discoloration going on in the nose and where the wings meet the fuselage.

Happy to stand corrected but that's what it looks like to me anyway :)

edit: And now I think about it if they were putting the paint job on, why would they leave the engines exposed?
 

Kilo 2-3

New Member
Looks photoshopped to me maybe? If you blow the image up, take a close look at the tip of the nose. It looks like the probe that was present on the prototypes we've seen thus far has been chopped off. If you save the image and zoom right in it looks like there's some weird discoloration going on in the nose and where the wings meet the fuselage.

Happy to stand corrected but that's what it looks like to me anyway :)

edit: And now I think about it if they were putting the paint job on, why would they leave the engines exposed?
Those engine covers look a little smooth to be the exposed engine itself. Maybe it's some kind of temporary fairing?
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Quick note, apparently the PAK-FA is flying with it's own new engine.

ÀÐÌÑ-ÒÀÑÑ

Another engine upgrade for the PAK-FA is in the works, but it's a decade or so off. So the engine currently flying (with some modifications of course) will be the final product for the initial production run.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Quick note, apparently the PAK-FA is flying with it's own new engine.

ÀÐÌÑ-ÒÀÑÑ

Another engine upgrade for the PAK-FA is in the works, but it's a decade or so off. So the engine currently flying (with some modifications of course) will be the final product for the initial production run.
 

Bonza

Super Moderator
Staff member
Quick note, apparently the PAK-FA is flying with it's own new engine.

ÀÐÌÑ-ÒÀÑÑ

Another engine upgrade for the PAK-FA is in the works, but it's a decade or so off. So the engine currently flying (with some modifications of course) will be the final product for the initial production run.
Actually wait, compare the image in the article you linked to the image in this thread of the painted PAK FA... the picture in your article is the exact same angle with the exact same shadows as the picture in this thread, only without the paint. Meaning it's been photoshopped.

Nice detective work Feanor :p
 
Actually wait, compare the image in the article you linked to the image in this thread of the painted PAK FA... the picture in your article is the exact same angle with the exact same shadows as the picture in this thread, only without the paint. Meaning it's been photoshopped.

Nice detective work Feanor :p
It was stated that the plane(s) did get a paint job, but with the traditional Russian Air Force sky colors of white and blue, not the one shown, so, yeah, likely a photoshop job...
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
It just looked too similar. Besides all the photos released were from the first flight. New release photos would have probably gotten some press coverage. Since this is a rather secretive project it's unlikely people are just randomly posting photos of it in midair. Hence why it was suspicious. :)
 
It just looked too similar. Besides all the photos released were from the first flight. New release photos would have probably gotten some press coverage. Since this is a rather secretive project it's unlikely people are just randomly posting photos of it in midair. Hence why it was suspicious. :)
nice catch. i thought about it for a moment but it was the first high-res from that angle so i assumed maybe it was indeed another flight.
 

Haavarla

Active Member
Step aside F-35:D

Seriously, take a look at the huge control surfaces on that bird!
Simply a awsome looking aircraft..:D
It should perform exellent on agility/manuvrebility.





Thanks
 

nevidimka

New Member
Step aside F-35:D

Seriously take a look at the huge control surfaces on that bird!
It should perform exellent on agility/manuvrebility.





Thanks
Crap you just beat me to it Havaarla. I was just about to post. ANyways.. the front view looks very good. But I do hope that its cockpit/Canopy and nozzles go through some design changes to make them more stealthy, and I'm not too impressed by its design.
 

Vivendi

Well-Known Member
I have seen on other forums some rumors that Russia may talk to (or is already talking to?) a "potential European partner" for the PAK FA.

I don't know if there is anything in that rumor, however IF that's the case then my guess would be that it's France -- they are facing a problem in the long-term future, with their current Rafale and seemingly no resources to move to the next generation on their own. In addition the French/Russian relationship seems quite good at the moment, with talks of a possible sales of Mistral to Russia.

I have also seen rumors that Russia is again talking to Brazil about the PAK FA.


Does anybody have more info related to these two rumors?

Thanks.
 

Haavarla

Active Member
Interesting times indeed Vivendi.

I have a quote from President Zarkozy:
"We can't entertain a confidential relationship with Russia in the morning over the Iranian Nuclear question and then do the exact opposite in the evening when it comes to armament deals"

French defence official note that the US recently reafirmed an offer to bring Moscow into the US-NATO Ballistic missile defence program. And in addition we make extencial use of Russian built helios in the Afganistan teather and elsewhere.
Its only a matter of time before Russias aviation industry recieve an official orders from Nato countries or NATO as a whole
.

A French move to sell four Mistral helicopters carrier to Russia could help generate reapraissial of Moscow security's relationship with western Capitals and in the same time open up for East-West arms trade.
My take is anything is possible as long as the currently good relationship between NATO and Moscow continue forward and that no future crisis between them halt this.
Russia is very much interesting to sell hardware to new customers and that way creating more jobbs.
But i have heard nothing substancial on those matters..


Thanks
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I have seen on other forums some rumors that Russia may talk to (or is already talking to?) a "potential European partner" for the PAK FA.

I don't know if there is anything in that rumor, however IF that's the case then my guess would be that it's France -- they are facing a problem in the long-term future, with their current Rafale and seemingly no resources to move to the next generation on their own. In addition the French/Russian relationship seems quite good at the moment, with talks of a possible sales of Mistral to Russia.

I have also seen rumors that Russia is again talking to Brazil about the PAK FA.


Does anybody have more info related to these two rumors?

Thanks.
I have read an official statement that India will be the only strategic partner in the PAK-FA program. However it's more then likely French electronics will find their way into the PAK-FA. Possibly license built, possibly straight-up imported.
 

nevidimka

New Member
On the news of a European partner, I doubt that could happen. Even though relations between Russia and France is good, I doubt Russia would want to hand ther most prized technological asset to teh hands of a NATO member, which would surely be disected and learnt about in excercizes.
 

Haavarla

Active Member
On the news of a European partner, I doubt that could happen. Even though relations between Russia and France is good, I doubt Russia would want to hand ther most prized technological asset to teh hands of a NATO member, which would surely be disected and learnt about in excercizes.
Unlikly yes, but who knows what the future will bring.
In the long term, it could happen..
France as a NATO member does not automaticaly mean US will get their hands on French defence equipment!

Just take a look at Red Flag 08 where the Rafale did not even reveiling its BVR capabilities against the US-Teens.
I'm sure there are many other good examples too.
French defence have their own seecrets and they do not share every thing with their NATO members..



Thanks
 
Last edited:

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
french subcontractors are likely. French partnership? Next to impossible. Belarus is a more likely candidate (though their "partnership" would be of limited value technologically, maybe financially, and definetly politically).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top