Fifth generation fighter - the main novelty of MAKS
On Tuesday in Zhukovsky near Moscow, on the territory of the Flight Research Institute. Gromov, launched the anniversary 10-th International Aviation and Space Salon - MAKS-2011. According to a press release from the organizers of the salon, more than 240 aircraft from Russia, the USA, France, Italy and other countries will be shown at MAKS.
But, as you know, first of all, the MAKS is a demonstration of military equipment, and the Russian side put up a full range of aircraft and helicopters in service with the Russian Federation on a static platform. In total, the Russian Air Force exhibits 17 samples aviation equipment in service. Among them are Tu-160, Tu-95MS, A-50, Il-76MD-90, MiG-29SMT, MiG-35, Yak-130 aircraft and Mi-8MTSh, Mi-26, Mi-28, Ka-52 helicopters , Ansat. The T-50 developer, the Sukhoi company, will also show the Su-27SM, Su-30MK2, Su-34, Su-35, Su-25SM airplanes already familiar to the general public.
But the main novelty of MAKS by both Russian and foreign experts was unanimously and ahead of time was named the new Russian fighter of the fifth generation, also known as a promising aviation complex of front aviation (PAK FA). Experts say that in many ways the Russian aircraft is more efficient than its American counterparts, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lighting. The Pentagon also highly appreciates the Russian novelty and even expresses fears that they are starting to lose their technological primacy in this field. As stated in late May, Lieutenant-General Herbert Carlyle, Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force for Military Operations and Planning, speaking before members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, it is the creation of the Russian PAK FA that is an indicator of such a threat.
Which, however, is curious: the Russian liberal media have already tried to ridicule the new aircraft. The well-known Russian-Israeli Internet resource maliciously stated that “fifth-generation fighter jets flew 20 more years ago.” Alexander Golts, a military observer of the Daily Journal, an Internet journal published by his “objectivity,” disparagingly stated: “These are all developments of the Soviet era, and not at all modern ones. The lack of fresh developments shows the weakness of our military-industrial complex. ” “We don’t really know anything about this fifth-generation fighter, we can’t even tell if this new airplane is fundamentally a futuristic stealth plane comparable to the American F-22 and F35 combat vehicles - or is it an improved version of the well-known old one”, - considers Golts.
Therefore it is required to bring some clarity to this question. As K.RU has already told, the development of the fifth generation fighter for the Russian Air Force has indeed been conducted for a long time. The main task of the designers was to create an aircraft capable of replacing fourth-generation fighter aircraft, the Su-27 and MiG-29, as part of our aircraft. These works began in Soviet times, at the end of the 1980s. Considering the fact that then, and in the following years, it happened with the country, it is not surprising that by the end of the 90's, nothing was really done.
True, experts say that by the middle of 90-x the Mikoyan Design Bureau developed a certain project “1.44” and the Sukhoi Design Bureau - “C. 37”, but due to lack of funding these development projects did not receive. Moreover, with the start of 2000's, when the money from the aviation developers began to emerge, it became clear that these projects are rapidly becoming obsolete, and if we launch new aircraft into the series on their basis, then our aircraft would get fighter jets unable to carry out 10 years with the American F-22, just then launched into mass production. As a result, it was decided to develop a fundamentally new car. All the “exterminatory” Russian design bureaux, Sukhoi, Mikoyan and Yakovlev, offered their options. As a result, Sukhoi Design Bureau became the lead developer of the machine that received the brand T-50 index. But this is a conditional name, at the time of development. When he joins the military, he will receive the traditional name for all the Sukhoi OKB aircraft with the corresponding number.
The term "fifth generation" is also quite conditional in itself. At one time, such a gradation of aircraft was associated with an engine mounted on it. The piston engine was replaced with a turboprop, the one with a gas turbine, etc. Accordingly, they talked about the emergence of a new generation of aircraft. Now the approach is completely different: many indicators are taken into account, including the design of the airframe and the power plant, the capabilities of the onboard equipment, the automation of all processes in flight, combat effectiveness. Something to subtilize with the fuselage, or, say, to install the wings of the reverse sweep on the "five" in the "Dry" did not want. The appearance of the T-50 coolly resembles the classic form of the Su-27: the same “snub” pilot cockpit, the same two keels in the tail ...
The main surprises are hidden in the new composite materials from which the car was made (even nanotechnologies were used) and the tricky stuffing. The aircraft is equipped with a fundamentally new avionics complex, integrating the "electronic pilot" function, and a modern radar with a phased antenna array. This greatly reduces the load on the pilot, gives him the opportunity to focus on the implementation of tactical tasks. With the help of a unique on-board equipment, the pilot can exchange data in real time not only with the command center, but also with his colleagues in the air group. The aerodynamic layout of the car, covered with the “stealth” airframe, the cooling device for exhaust gases make it almost imperceptible on radars and allow you to destroy air and ground targets, in any weather conditions, and at the same time to attack with high-precision weapons several objects at once. For the first time, 8 from 16 aircraft aircraft missiles are hidden in its fuselage. The aircraft will be able to act as a fighter and bomber, attack aircraft and air reconnaissance aircraft. Such multifunctionality is especially important during long flight at supersonic speeds. It will provide multiple refueling in the sky.
In addition, the T-50 is ready to start and land on a strip of the entire length of the 300-400 m. It is also known that the experienced and first production machines will be powered by the 117 engines developed by Saturn, developed on the basis of the AL-31 family. Specialists classify the new aircraft as a heavy class fighter with a take-off weight in excess of 30 tons, roughly equivalent in size to the Su-27 aircraft. It is also reported that the on-board radar for the T-50 is developing the Research Institute of Instrument Engineering. Tikhomirov, where the radar "Irbis" for the "intermediate" aircraft Su-35BM. Apparently, the radar and the fire control system of the new machine will be created on the basis of systems that will be tested on the "thirty-fifth".
On the eve of the opening of the MAKS-2011, the President of the United Aircraft Building Corporation Mikhail Pogosyan confirmed that the T-50 should be put into service in the 2016 year, and at present three experienced aircraft are being tested. Two more fighters of the fifth generation are planned to be produced and connected to the test program by the end of the year, RIA “News". According to Pogosyan, also by the end of 2011, the KLA will supply the Russian Defense Ministry with more than 20 combat aircraft. By the end of the year, the UAC plans to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense for the supply of MiG-29K carrier-based fighters and Yak-130 combat training aircraft. “In the field of military aviation, we have already signed a contract for the modernization and repair of the MiG-31, as well as a number of service contracts. Before the end of the year, we must sign contracts on the Yak-130 and MiG-29K, ”said Mikhail Pogosyan. He noted that the signing of new contracts will occur after the completion of MAKS-2011.
After 2015, the Russian military department is scheduled to transfer X-NUMX An-10 Ruslan aircraft. The Russian An-124 is considered the largest mass-produced transport aircraft in the world. It was created to transport intercontinental ballistic missile launchers by air and conduct amphibious assault shipments. According to Mikhail Pogosyan, work is currently underway to repair and modernize the An-124, which the Ministry of Defense already has, and it is planned to carry out a deep modernization of this type of aircraft. And just in the framework of the State armament program, designed for the period up to 124 of the year, Pogosyan said, the Ministry of Defense will purchase more than 2020 military transport aircraft.
Total UAC in the framework of the air show MAKS-2011 plans to sign contracts for the supply of about 100 aircraft. At the same time, the corporation does not plan to sign contracts for transport and military aircraft at the air show.
Mikhail Pogosyan also said that the company “Sukhoi Civil Aircraft” (GSS) before the end of this week will transfer to Aeroflot the second Sukhoi SuperJet-100 aircraft. Now there are only two SSJ-100 aircraft in operation: one - from Aeroflot and one - from Armavia. In total, the GSS planned to produce 2011 of such aircraft in 14 and deliver 10 to Aeroflot. Earlier it was reported that during the MAKS-2011, Irkut Corporation, which is part of UAC, will sign a contract with Russian Technologies for the supply of 50 MS-21 aircraft for Aeroflot and 24 SSJ aircraft.
Strictly speaking, all this is not so much, so the liberal media did not fail to declare that MAKS "will demonstrate both the power and the weakness of the Russian military-industrial complex." “In many types of modern aviation technology, the country lags far behind world leaders — not only the United States and Europe, but already China,” writes, for example, Nezavisimaya Gazeta. She emphasizes that “Russia has ceased to produce its long-haul passenger liners, are dramatically lagging behind in creating remotely piloted vehicles, integrating them with impact and firing complexes, in developing new composite materials, electronic countermeasures, communications and navigation. Lost many important technologies. ”
Unfortunately, these comments are largely true. It is not specified only that this is a direct result of the so-called. "Liberal reforms." So the lamentations of the liberal media on this occasion strongly resemble crocodile tears. Nevertheless, in spite of the gigantic damage inflicted over the past decades to both military and civil aircraft industry, it has not yet been possible to completely destroy it.
As the Director of the Aviation Industry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Yuri Slyusar, has announced, at MAKS it is planned to sign all contracts on the state defense order in the aerospace field. It is expected that a total of more than $ 3 billion will be awarded to MAKS, and this concerns both military and civilian contracts. For example, UTair Aviation JSC plans to sign a firm contract with Sukhoi for the delivery of the newest Sukhoi SuperJet 24 passenger liners to 100.
In general, this year MAKS will be the only exhibition in the world where you can see the largest passenger and transport aircraft, Slyusar noted.
The most ambitious aircraft construction project, the main MS-21, is being implemented, although not without difficulties, he acknowledged. A large number of programs carry international status - this explains the presence of more than 30 foreign firms this year.
For example, the world's largest passenger airliners, the American Dreamliner Boeing-787 and the French-German Airbus A-380 of the European concern EADS, flew to MAKS for the first time. In either plane, up to 40-50, the rigging (subassemblies of the fuselage and chassis) is made of Russian titanium and in a Russian enterprise. However, this is a direct result of international cooperation in the field of aviation. For its part, the Russian SuperJet-100 is also being created with numerous components produced by the world's largest aircraft manufacturers.
At MAKS, in addition to aircraft technology, air defense assets will be widely represented, in the sphere of which Russia traditionally plays a leading role. C-300 complexes, including Antey-2500 and Favorit, C-400, self-propelled fire installation on a wheeled chassis from the Buk-M2 anti-aircraft missile system, combat vehicles from other complexes, three-coordinate radar and other types of weapons. For the first time, the Tor-M2K anti-aircraft missile system with combat and technical equipment in a modular design is demonstrated in the form of models.
For the first time, the country's rocket and space industry opens up for a wide display models of a promising medium-class carrier rocket of increased payload for the Vostochny cosmodrome and a promising manned spacecraft. Also for the first time, visitors will see the Club-K container missile complex in the 40-pound version in the form of a natural sample. The novelty is capable of striking surface and ground targets with cruise missiles.
According to the already established tradition, the colorful and rich flight program will be the decoration of MAKS-2011. Russian aerobatic teams, as well as the country's best test pilots, will fly on modern fighter jets and civil aircraft. On the opening day, the “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” during a group flight of five Su-27 and four MiG-29 for the first time will show a “barrel” at the same time with the entire composition. In the complex and intensive program of group pilotage "Russian Knights" the first included the dissolution of the "tulip", which will effectively end with the figure "bell" simultaneously with four airplanes at once, ITAR-TASS reported. The Falcons of Russia will show viewers and specialists a maneuverable pair-to-air air battle at low altitudes and in a confined space using defensive-offensive tactics. The complexity and singularity of this show lies in the fact that the air combat that occurs in real conditions at high altitudes and distances is demonstrated for entertainment at altitudes from 200 to 2000 m.
Objectivity, however, requires that along with the above, a very disturbing signal should be mentioned. We are talking about an interview in the “Moskovsky Komsomolets” Hero of Russia, test pilot Magomed Tolboev. His statement to the publication that “20 has been killing Russian aviation for years,” at the very least, deserves close attention.
“There is not and never will be such a school as Russian pilots had. How can? I am an officer. I am sick and ashamed of what is happening. We squandered everything that was done with a reserve for the grandchildren, and did not create anything in return, ”says Tolboev. He also stated: “Today I am alone fighting for the Vityaz to remain. I am alone against the Minister of Defense Serdyukov. The rest are silent. “It’s not a matter of Vityazi, but of the Kubinka airfield, which one billionaire wants to sell,” he explained. - He wants to completely buy this territory for some of his base. "Kubinka"! The central base of the Moscow Air Force Air Force! ”.
“20 years ago, when we first started, it was Kubinka that was our competitor as a venue for an air show,” says Magomed Tolboev. - On access roads, on openness it is even better. This person will buy Kubinka, buy the rest. Who will defend Russia? ”He asks, anxiously and indignantly. And, being aware of the inclination of the current leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to “commercial efficiency” and “getting rid of non-core assets,” the fears of the honored test-pilot seem well founded.
Information