Russian Su-57 fifth generation stealthy fighter flies with new engine
The Su-57 – otherwise known as T-50 and PAK-FA – flew for 17 minutes with engine slated for serial production
Russia’s new stealthy fifth generation Su-57 fighter flew for 17 minutes with a new engine on December 5, according to reports.
The aircraft, also known as T-50 and PAK-FA, was flown by Sukhoi’s chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan.
“Russia’s newest fifth generation fighter, T-50, performed its maiden flight with the second stage engine on December 5, 2017, at the Gromov Flight Research Institute,” an unnamed Russian Industry and Trade Ministry source said, TASS reported.
Serial production is expected to begin in 2018.
The new NPO Saturn “Product 30” engine will be the production power plant for the aircraft, FlightGlobal reported. The previous engine, NPO Saturn Product 117, a development of the engine used in the Su-35, was used in the nine prototypes built so far.
Video of the flight shows the new engine – distinguished by its serrated nozzle – installed in the port-side engine position.
The Su-57, which features some radar and infrared stealth technology, along with internal weapons bays and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, is intended to replace Russia’s MiG-29s and Su-27s.
PAK-FA as it was previously known first flew in 2010.
