PAK-FA prototype flight in Russia

On Friday morning, Sukhoi Company (JSC) and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) celebrated its latest success in the ambitious and prestigious fifth-generation fighter aircraft project, the PAK FA. The T-50 prototype aircraft left the ground at the KNAAPO factory aerodrome in Russia’s Far East and made its first basic manoeuvres during a 47 minute flight.Congratulating all participants of the project on the occasion of the maiden flight, Alexey Fedorov, President and Chairman of control board of UAC, said that it “opens a new horizon for the Russian aviation for the rest of the 21st century and, hopefully, even further. Successful beginning of flight trials on the next-generation aircraft stimulates us for new achievements and sparks our desire to create.”

According to RIA Novosti, India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is involved with a 25 per cent share in design and development of the aircraft and will create a twin-seat fighter based upon the single-seat concept within the FGFA programme to meet Indian Air Force requirements. The two countries, which already maintain strong co-operation in the military aviation sector, share the costs of the project, estimated at some $8 to $10 billion. Both countries reportedly are planning to purchase 250 aircraft.

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Posted in: Fighter jet,Russia