PAK FA vs F-22
At the end of the last century in the United States to upgrade tactical aviation two aircraft creation programs were launched. The level of technology being laid allows us to talk about a new, fifth generation of fighter jets. They in the 21st century were to become the basis of the US Air Force. These two machines had to complement each other in air operations, performing each of its functions. Under the ATF program (Advanced Tactical Fighter - an advanced tactical fighter), an aircraft was created, mainly for air combat and gaining air supremacy. According to the JSF program (Joint Strike Fighter - a single strike fighter) - an aircraft for attacking ground targets. I must say that the principle was absolutely correct, since the “universal breed of pilots” has not yet been bred, and the pilots of modern aviation still have either “bombing” or “fighter” specialization. Only unique pilots can cope equally well with both tasks. About the same thing can be said about airplanes: the features of the tasks performed dictate the characteristics and appearance of the aircraft. However, both programs, during their implementation, have undergone significant changes in the direction of greater universality. Ultimately, the ATF program gave the F-22 Raptor, and the JSF gave the F-35.
F-22 became the first aircraft to fulfill the requirements of the “fifth generation”, the main ones being the following: low visibility (in the radar and infrared ranges), flight characteristics other than its predecessors (“super-maneuverability” and supersonic speed in the engineless mode of engines), a perfect complex of onboard radio-electronic equipment (avionics) and weapons. Despite any criticism (including the exorbitant cost, which did not allow to make the plane massive) - the Raptor meets these requirements, and is one of the best air combat fighters. With regard to the function of striking ground targets, it appeared in his tasks at a rather early stage of the project adjustment, as additional opportunities. The fact that these tasks were not essential led to a rather modest set of means for defeating ground targets: two 450-kg bombs GBU-32 JDAM or eight GBU-39 bombs, weighing 113 kg. Place a more serious set of weapons "air-to-surface" do not allow the size of the internal compartments of weapons, designed primarily for air-to-air missiles. And the suspension on the external nodes negates the advantages - deprives the aircraft of low radar visibility and high maneuverability characteristics.
Meanwhile, over time, the shock functions began to be considered for F-22 as the main ones, because the US Air Force took part in the hostilities with the enemy, who practically did not have their own aircraft. With the catastrophe of the Soviet Union, it seemed that the Raptor would not see a worthy opponent in the sky at all. And the airborne fighter became a bomber with weak capabilities for work on the ground, and strong but unnecessary in reality capabilities for air targets. But the change in the alignment of forces led to another interesting fact - the main opponent of the aircraft was not another aircraft, but air defense weapons, the main successes in the creation of which belong to us. Here, low visibility and the capabilities of avionics, of course, very useful. But the capabilities of the Raptor in actions against the enemy's air defense, rested on the fact that the plane was not designed for this purpose initially. For example, the absence of an AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile in its arsenal is compensated by the perfection of the onboard reconnaissance complex. But, in order to defeat air defense objects, the Raptor will have to rely on adjustable bombs that have a shorter range. That is, he will have to come closer to enemy air defenses, instead of launching a rocket from a distance of 100 km. At the same time, as everyone remembers, it was at the time of the opening of the arms of the weapon compartment that one of the two * F-117 “invisibles” shot down in the sky of Yugoslavia fell under the distribution, having ceased to be “invisible” at that moment. And all the statistics of real combat operations indicate that most of the losses do not occur at the stage of searching for a target or approaching it, but at the exit from the attack. From this point of view, the work of the “invisible” in the near zone of the air defense looks suicidal, despite the excellence of the avionics and the low visibility. And the Raptor remains the work on the ground in the zone, already cleared from the system of air defense, using a limited set of weapons. But much simpler machines can cope with this task. Thus, the F-22 remains the fighter of air combat, which was originally planned. And the shock tasks and the breakthrough / destruction of the air defense should, for the most part, be assigned to some other machines.
Well, for percussion functions, it seems that a plane was created using the JSF program. However, this program has also undergone many changes, compared with the original plan. First of all, almost immediately the United States partner countries joined in, who wanted to get a full-fledged multi-purpose aircraft under the ban on the export of F-22. Secondly, the Americans themselves wanted to replace almost all types of their rather disparate fleet with one new machine (F-15, F-16 and А-10 - in the Air Force; F-18 and EA-6 "Prouler" - in the Navy; AV- 8 "Harrier" - in the ILC). As a result, the F-35 of all three modifications (for three customers - Air Force, Navy and ILC) appeared the following tactical tasks: striking ground targets, gaining air superiority and providing direct aviation support to troops. So from an unobtrusive attack aircraft, he began to turn into a universal aircraft, which was supposed to be a fighter too. At the same time, the F-35 received limited maneuverability and flight characteristics from its shock specialization, which do not allow us to consider it a fifth-generation airplane, but only the so-called “4 +”. Let's see how F-35 should handle its new tasks.
Let's start with the support of the troops. In the ILC, this function is performed by Harrier, whose main advantage is vertical landing. The disadvantages include a small combat radius and poor protection (which is very important for an attack aircraft). But Harrier’s weapons range is very diverse: unguided missiles and free-falling bombs, cluster munitions, AGM-65 Maverick guided air-to-surface missiles, adjustable bombs, and even AIM-9 melee air-to-air missiles. On the navy F-18 - rather a versatile aircraft, which in addition to the main purpose (bomber and attack aircraft) has good opportunities for air combat and attack ships. The Air Force had a clean A-10 attack aircraft, specially designed to support troops on the battlefield, which, in addition to weapons, was well protected.
F-35 - the car is quite complicated and expensive. Just like the F-22, which has a perfect and complex avionics complex, low visibility, as well as the information and control field of the cabin, greatly facilitating the work of the pilot. However, the technology of low visibility and size restrictions (the requirement of the Navy, ILC and foreign customers) did not allow the plane to be protected either constructively or with the help of armor. In addition, the F-35 is an aircraft of “dense layout”, that is, a lot of complex systems are packed in fairly modest dimensions, which further increases its vulnerability even from a slight defeat. A attack aircraft should work on the front line from low altitudes, for a long time, being in the battle zone and making several passes on various targets during one sortie. Here he will be subjected to shelling of anti-aircraft missile systems of close combat and anti-aircraft artillery, for which the stealth technology is not an obstacle, since the fire is conducted on the directly observed target or in the visible range, with optical guidance. For example, domestic air-defense missiles “Tunguska” and “Pantsir” have the possibility of hitting targets in a passive radar mode, with automatic capture, tracking and guidance on a television optical channel (capture of an optically contrasting target against the sky or moving against the background of the horizon / terrain, if the target is goes at low altitude). Modern Western MANPADS are not equipped with IR homing heads, but operate in semi-automatic mode with radio command or laser guidance.
The F-35 weapons nomenclature, although wider than the Raptor, is intended not only to support the troops on the battlefield, but to shock tasks that require a short stay in the attack zone, which is understandable, given the machine’s vulnerability. The F-35A and F-35C armament compartments can hold more adjustable and free-fall bombs (two for 900-kg, or four for 450-kg, or more light ones). In the F-35B, they have almost half the capacity. However, the main suspension for attack aircraft weapons (unguided and anti-tank missiles) is possible on external nodes, which, just like in the case of the F-22, makes the aircraft radio-contrast and degrades flight performance, nullifying its advantage. In this case, the survivability of the aircraft is not assault, and the use of, for example, helicopter anti-tank missiles "Brimston" (in the English version) with a supersonic machine, it is possible only in sterile polygon conditions.
For strike operations against previously reconnoitered targets, the F-35 has a wider arsenal than the F-22. The ability to survive without a long stay in the air defense coverage area, approaching the target along pre-calculated courses and altitudes, and trying to avoid defeat after dropping bombs, is approximately similar to the Raptor. Here, expensive avionics and stealth technologies are fully justified. But the weapon bays are again not designed for “long arm weapons”, which means that the same F-15, F-16 and F-18, which do not have low visibility, but are able to work from a greater range, will solve the same tasks with less risk. The external suspension practically equalizes the capabilities of the F-35 and cheaper cars of the previous generation. The development of high-precision weapons is increasingly making the aircraft only a platform for its delivery. And the internal suspension of only two tons of small-sized ammunition limits the use of the F-35 in conditions of strong air defense only to especially important, point targets. At the same time, the fight against air defense will be little predictable, or will fall on the shoulders of other means (for example, subtle strike drones, which are still being designed, and whose effectiveness against next-generation air defenses is still an open question).
But maybe the F-35 is able to replace a full-fledged fighter in air combat? After all, its complex avionics and weapons "air-to-air" on the possibilities is not much inferior to the F-22. However, it is much inferior to the Raptor in flight characteristics, which does not allow to consider it, as stated above, a full fighter of the fifth generation. It turned out that in air combat, the excellence of avionics and low visibility is not able to replace them. In August, the X-NUMX of the year in Hawaii was a simulation of F-2008 air battles with Russian cars (with characteristics similar to those of the Su-35). The virtual air war was attended by the Aussies, as customers of the F-30. Of course, the simulation results are closed, and the Americans have repeatedly denied the failure of F-35. Nevertheless, the results led to the freezing of the purchase of these aircraft by Australia, and a member of the liberal party, Dennis Jensen, who was familiar with the report, did not disclose the details, saying that the “Sukhye” beat F-35 like penguins! ”However, the same result was with quite open Australian and Malaysian exercises, in which Malaysian Su-35 beat all Australian F-30 X-NUMX duels in aerial combat, as well as four out of five two-on-one fights. Perhaps the chances of the F-18 versus the Su-32 are slightly higher than those of the non-modern Australian aircraft, which led only to freezing, but not canceling the purchase. Nevertheless, it is clear that the F-35 is not able to outperform even a fourth-generation airplane in air combat, despite the excellence of the onboard systems and low visibility.
So, the F-35 as well as the F-22 remained in the niche for which it was originally planned. These aviation complexes can complement each other as part of an air operation, where the pinpoint strikes on the ground of F-35 hide behind enemy aviation of the F-22. At the same time for both cars the greatest danger will be represented by air defense weapons, which both aircraft cannot fully combat. Understanding this, the Americans are launching a program to develop a new universal rocket NGM. It is based on the mid-range AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, which is the basis of the F-22 and F-35 anti-aircraft weapons. The new missile must have a longer range than the AMRAAM and the possibility of using it against air defense radar stations, while maintaining the overall dimensions (to fit in the armaments compartments of both aircraft). Perhaps her appearance will somehow change the current situation. True, if the developers (Lockheed and Raytheon on a competitive basis) succeed in satisfying the requirement of universality, without losing the effectiveness of each of the tasks, and maintaining the same size. Well, and if the means of air defense will not develop, and even degrade a little, compared to current capabilities.
Now the Americans themselves admit that their air fleet was not in a situation similar to the present, for the entire post-war history. The average age of the fleet is about 25 years. In the foreseeable future, a large number of combat aircraft for various purposes are to be written off. At the same time, replacing them with new ones does not represent a near-term perspective, since the production of the F-22 has been discontinued, and the F-35 is not yet a “finished to the mind” machine, besides causing a lot of criticism. Replacing many types of aircraft on the F-35, even if it occurs in an optimistic time frame and at a good pace, will not be complete, since its functionality is questionable. In the most difficult situation will be the Navy and the ILC. In the case of the complete replacement of ship-borne aviation only on F-35, the fleet will lose its previous shock capabilities (especially in actions against enemy ship groupings). And since all the programs of deck fighters of air superiority are curtailed with the hope of F-35, the anti-aircraft component of the US carrier-assault groupings will also weaken. The Marine Corps has already lost hope for the new machines and extends the life of the Harriers (whose production has been discontinued) to 2030, having purchased the 72 from the British for decommissioned aircraft for parts analysis. To get out of this situation, Americans will be upgrading and conducting overhaul of the existing fleet, of course, where it is possible, and probably buying new cars of the fourth generation.
Against this background, the prospects of other countries developing their own combat aviation programs do not look bad at all. US partners in the North Atlantic Alliance, who did not hope for the American F-35, may be the owners of a completely modern and capable air fleet, even without the fifth generation. So France, which became the locomotive of the air operation in the sky of Libya, turned out to be the owner of its own fighter of the 4 + generation Rafale, which, at least in combat capabilities, is not inferior to the F-35. The fifth-generation fighter programs are being developed by Japan, China, South Korea and Indonesia together, and Russia together with India. These programs started later than the American, taking into account the American experience and mistakes, as well as the latest technical advances.
Russia, like the United States, has a large fleet of aircraft with a close to the maximum service life. His combat readiness is also supported by overhaul and modernization. For the time being, Americans are balancing on the verge of making a decision: either continue to pull the F-35 program, or go back to purchasing new aircraft of the old design, or combine both solutions. The last two options compromising the F-35 in the foreign market, and in the case of failure by partners to make purchases, make the cost of a new aircraft excessive and useless. Unlike the Americans, we have already launched a program to re-equip the Air Force on the 4 + generation aircraft, which, at a minimum, are not inferior in combat capabilities to the F-35 (Su-34, Su-30CM, Su-35 and updated versions of the MiG-29) . The program of the fifth generation fighter PAK FA has a number of advantages over the US.
We have a new generation of aircraft was originally understood as an aviation system consisting of the aircraft itself and of its weapons and avionics, which, depending on the tasks, will dictate the appearance and characteristics of the machine. The programs of the MFI (multifunctional fighter) and LPI (light front fighter), which were held in parallel with the US programs, which are almost similar in purpose, did not receive a real embodiment after the catastrophe of the Soviet Union. At the beginning of 2000-x it was decided to resume work. At the same time, when it became clear that the new machine should become universal in use, and not a clean interceptor or strike aircraft - the previous projects did not become under new requirements, but went to the basket.
The main parameters of the PAK FA is not inferior to the Raptor.
Radar visibility is usually calculated as EPR (effective scattering surface of electromagnetic energy reflected from an aircraft) and expressed in square meters, taking as a reference the reflection from an “ideal sphere” with the same reflection characteristics as the object under study, the measure of the area of this sphere . If the Su-27 EPR is of the order of 12-13 sq.m., then for PAK FA this value is 0,3-0,4 sq.m., which is similar to the F-22 indicator. Here, however, it should be noted that in real conditions, the detection by radar means strongly depends on the angle of exposure, on the wavelength and its changes in the process of irradiation. In general, for the domestic means of detecting air defense and on-board radars of aircraft, the car, made "by stealth technology" presents no difficulties with detection. The “complex reflective form” of an actively maneuvering aircraft will be much more useful for disrupting a rocket attack with radar homing. However, even here the domestic weapon is not the first day preparing for a meeting with the "invisible". So, the “invisibility” of the guests will not be a big advantage, while Western developers, considering the “stealth” technology as their prerogative, have until recently paid little attention to the fight against it.
The PAK FA airborne radar complex - H036, consists of active phased array antennas (AFAR), which are located in various elements of the airframe (in the nose fairing, in the slats, in the toes of the wings, on the side surfaces), can operate in several ranges, provide almost all-round visibility. This solution is similar to that applied on the Raptor. The characteristics of the complex are not known, however, the capabilities of domestic radars, which are used for aircraft of previous generations, are comparable to American ones, or are superior to them. Just like on the Raptor, the PAK-FA complex can work in the passive mode, conducting reconnaissance of radio-emitting targets without its own radiation, as well as determining the coordinates of the targets from the reflected signal from other sources that will interact with the PAK FA on the battlefield. Also, electronic countermeasure systems are included in the avionics complex. The avionics complex is complemented by an optical-electronic integrated system (OEIS) - the product 101X. It consists of: a defensive system (101 КС-0), which provides countermeasures to means of destruction using infrared guidance; a full range ultraviolet viewing system (101 KS-U), which detects the work of jet and rocket engines; a quantum (laser) location system (101 KS-B), which detects targets and determines their coordinates in the optical range; multi-channel optical sighting system (101 KS-N), providing the use of weapons (mainly for ground targets). All elements of the avionics complex are integrated with each other and with external sources, the complex has a large computing power and high automation, it is made entirely on the domestic element base, including the computing part.
The flight characteristics of the PAK FA are superior to the F-22. Although the engines existing at this stage are inferior to those of the United States, they even allow the PAK FA to have sufficient thrust-to-weight ratio and provide cruising supersonic speed in the driveless mode. The maneuverability of the aircraft exceeds the Raptor. The F-22 design, which is dictated by the requirements of the stealth technology, played a role here: the wing has a high inductive resistance, its flat profiles have poor bearing properties, which are not compensated by other aerodynamic solutions. The engines are located close to each other, which is done so that in the frontal projection the blades of the engine compressors are not illuminated on the radars (the air channel is curved from the air intakes located widely on the sides of the fuselage). Coupled with the need to accommodate the four internal weapons bays, this made the fuselage oversized in the center section. In the PAK FA, the engines are separated from the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, which made it possible to impart bearing properties to the whole structure and to increase the thrust of the arm during maneuvering. In addition, this made it possible to make a large central weapons bay capable of holding a weapon inaccessible to the Raptor due to the size of the compartments. And to cover the engine compressors in nacelles with a relatively straight air path, the original solution is applied - a radar blocker. This device is made of composite material, having curved blades that allow air flow through but close the compressor itself from direct radar light. From the point of view of aerodynamics, this design is not very simple, because the curved air flow radar-blocker must be synchronized with the engine and not have disturbances and seals that interfere with its work in different modes. However, the gain in this case will be not only in the area of radar visibility, but also in the length of the air path, which is smaller, the smaller the “empty” volume of the structure and, accordingly, its dimensions and weight. Thanks to all these solutions, the PAK FA has better turning rates than the Raptor; better handling in the vertical and horizontal planes, both at supersonic and at low speeds. In addition, the spaced engines increase the survivability of the aircraft, and the possibility of flight with a failure or defeat of one of the engines is provided by their location relative to the axis of symmetry of the aircraft in the form of the letter “V”, thanks to which the thrust vector will pass near the center of gravity of the aircraft.
In conclusion, it should be noted the best armament of the domestic machine. Its versatility and diversity allows the PAK FA to be used as a strike aircraft or fighter, choosing for any of the selected tasks the corresponding nomenclature of weapons and pilots, without prejudice to the capabilities.
An arsenal of air combat vehicles will include new short-range missiles (presumably K-MD or an 300 product of Vympel ICD), which will be equipped with a matrix homing head with target recognition capability (!) Doubled in capture range and automatic corrections from avionics aircraft in flight, which is necessary in case of failure of the seizure, launching out of sight of the target (shooting "behind the back") or changing the priority target. It will also become an aircraft missile defense tool. Along with it, there will be a simpler rocket, an upgrade of the P-73, demonstrated at the last MAKS, like the RVV-MD (this is the “760” product of the same “Pennant”). It is possible not only with the optical homing head, but also with the 9B-1103М radar 150-mm radar, developed by the Research Institute Agat. Until now, the creation of an active RGSN for short-range missiles was considered technically impossible, since its dimensions should be comparable with optical heads. Nevertheless, it was possible to domestic designers.
At medium range (about 100 km - for Americans it is already a long range) there will be a new generation of RVV-AE (Р-77) - РВВ-СД (К-77М or product “180”). It has a new multi-mode active-passive homing head, which will direct the missile at sources of interference and radiating radar; flat rudders instead of lattice, for ease of placement in the weapon compartment (maneuverability is preserved due to gas-dynamic control) and also a correction from avionics. At long range (up to 200 km.), There are even several different options. These include the RVV-BD (an upgraded version of the P-37, which in turn is the development of the P-33 - the “main caliber” of the MiG-31), and the RVV-PD with a direct-flow jet engine, and the KS-172, developed by NPO “ Innovator".
Arsenal for percussion functions, no less impressive. Adjustable bombs (KAB) of the traditional 500 and 1500 kg calibers, are supplemented with a new, 250 kg caliber. Different types of targeting: inertial, satellite, television, thermal imaging, laser, passive radar, as well as options combined. Almost the same targeting options are provided for the X-40М short-range missile (up to 38 km). The X-58USHKE, often demonstrated at trade shows, is a version of the well-proven X-58, featuring a new homing head, increased to 250-km launch range and folding rudders to be placed in the weapons compartment. Back in 1992, an anti-ship version of this rocket was adopted, characterized by a flight path, a seeker and a warhead. It can be assumed that for the PAK FA there is such an option. Information on a new more distant weapon PAK FA is not yet open. However, it can use almost all of the aviation armaments currently available, at least from an external suspension, the nodes of which are clearly visible even on test machines (under the wings and engine nacelles). For example, the Indians participating in the project reported that the Bramos version of the anti-ship missile (the name of the domestic version is Onyx, the export for third countries is Yakhont) is being prepared, specifically for placement on the Indian version of PAK FA.
A third car is being tested now, on which a part of the avionics is already installed (in particular, the radar). On the fourth PAK FA, which will take off this year, some weapons will be tested. At the stage of the beginning of the assembly, there are two more sides, however, their appearance can be changed according to the results of passing tests.
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