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Published on May 24th, 2011 | by vlajca

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Two Best Jet Fighters In The World

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T – 50 PAK FA

Development of Russia’s LFI (logkiy frontovoi istrebitel) lightweight tactical fighter has been dramatically accelerated after the Russian Air Force decided its priorities for the next 10 years. Revealed here exclusively as the I-2000 (Istrebitel {fighter} 2000) project, the aircraft is due to become operational in 2005 as Russia’s basic front-line fighter. It is also likely to become the leading export product of the Russian aircraft industry. Available information on the I-2000 indicates that it will be closely comparable to the US Joint Strike Fighter, operating in both the air-to-air and air-to-surface roles.

The aircraft comes from a long line of Mikoyan lightweight fighters, such as the MiG-15 and MiG-21. It is about the same size as the MiG-21 (shorter by 1.3m but wider by 4.5m), but noticeably smaller than its immediate predecessor, the MiG-29. Take-off weight is estimated at around 12 tonnes; maximum take-off weight at about 16 tonnes.

In early 2002 Sukhoi was chosen as prime contractor for the planned Russian fifth-generation fighter is called the PAK FA [ Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi - Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces]. This intermediate class twin-engined fighter will be larger than a MiG-29 and smaller than a Su-27.

The aircraft will feature a long combat radius, supersonic cruise speed, low radar cross section, super maneuverability, and the ability to make short takeoffs and landings. In accordance with the technical requirements, the PAK FA will have a normal takeoff weight of 20 tons, which is close to the average normal takeoff weight of the two American airplanes, the F-35 JSF (17.2 tons) and the F-22 (24 tons). The new fighter (a medium version) will have a traditional wing form, though the experience gathered as a result of Berkut’s test flights will be taken in consideration when designing the fighter. It is supposed that it will be created using the Stealth technology, and equipped with two AL-41F engines by the Saturn scientific and industrial enterprise, a radar system with an active phased array (to all appearances, it will be produced by the Fazatron-NIIR corporation), and high-precision weapons.

The government commission decided on 26 April 2002 to choose the Sukhoi holding company as the head company to develop and produce the fighter of the fifth generation. The prototype of the PAK FA would take-off in 2006 and that in 2010 the aircraft would be ready for series production. The first deliveries, both for Russian armed forces and for export, would be possible in 2011-12.

The new airplane is being proposed to be brought from the concept design to a prototype series in less than 9 years. Historically, fourth and fifth generation fighters have not been created in less than 15 years. The Russian government has promised to allocate 1.5 billion dollars for the PAK FA through 2010. But the Russian Air Force is receiving less than 200 million dollars a year during this period, and will spend it primarily on other needs.

The prices and sources of funding will determine the destiny of the whole program. To date officials agree that the program will cost $1.5 billion. However, $1.5 billion is the sum needed for creating a new generation of avionics for the fighter (considering the fact that pre-production models of the phased array have already been produced, and will soon be tested). Completion of the AL-41F engine (present readiness is 30 percent) will require, in the opinion of the boss of Rosaviakosmos, 600 – 800 million dollars. Saturn said that launching of production of the AL-41F engine would take $150 million. An improved version of the AL-31F will be used on the aircraft originally (though it is not clear how these heavy motors are reconciled with the concept of a 20-ton fighter). The upgrade of these engines will require expenditures of 1.2-1.5 billion dollars. And finally, designers will have to spend several hundred millions of dollars on creating a new airframe.

According to some reports, India and Russia have agreed to jointly develop this fifth-generation fighter, under a scheduled with enter into service in 2009. This would be the first such joint development venture between the two countries.

F – 22  RAPTOR

The F-22 won the Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter contest over the Northrop YF-23 in April 1991. While the aircraft’s primary mission remains air superiority, for which it can carry up to 8 air-to-air missiles internally, a secondary ground-attack role has also been developed. This capability was highlighted when the Raptor was briefly renamed the F/A-22 in late 2002, though it has again been designated as the F-22 since December 2005. The F-22 was designed primarily to supplement and replace the F-15 by incorporating new stealth features and propulsion technology. These advances include its angular design, use of radar-absorbant composite materials, and the ability to “supercruise” at supersonic speeds without using an afterburner. The F-22 also emphasizes agility through the use of thrust vectoring nozzles and a sophisticated fly-by-wire control system.

Other advanced systems aboard the Raptor include an integrated avionics suite built around a powerful flight computer with three times the memory and 16 times the speed of that used on the F-15. The F-22 also uses a nav/attack system that incorporates artificial intelligence to filter information to the pilot reducing his workload as well as improving his situational awareness.
Two prototypes of both the YF-22 and YF-23 were constructed. One example of each aircraft was powered by Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofans and the other by the General Electric F120 turbofans. These various combinations allowed the Air Force to select the best airframe/propulsion match. The second YF-22 prototype, fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines, soon demonstrated the ability to cruise at Mach 1.58 without afterburner and Mach 1.7 with afterburner. This combination was deemed the most desirable, and both Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney were issued contracts to proceed with production. The production F-22 Raptor includes a number of modifications when compared to the YF-22 prototype, including greater wingspan, reduced wing sweep, a shortened fuselage, and a relocated cockpit to improve visibility.

Despite its advanced systems and exceptional performance, F-22 production has been limited due to the aircraft’s high pricetag that has been estimated as high as $250 million apiece. Costs decreased as F-22 production methods improved, however, and the flyaway cost was estimated at $133 million in 2005. Lockheed Martin has also indicated that F-22 unit cost may drop below $100 million in future production lots. Regardless, even these cost reductions have proven insufficient as the Obama administration convinced Congress to cancel further funding for the Raptor program. The Air Force had originally hoped to purchase 750 examples of the F-22 and still states a requirement for at least 380 planes. Nevertheless, budget plans have slashed the anticipated F-22 fleet to 187 aircraft with production scheduled to end in 2011. By late 2008, some 130 F-22 Raptors had been delivered to the Air Force.

The Raptor program was set back by numerous delays in manufacturing, software development, and flight testing that pushed service entry back by several years. Operational Testing finally commenced at Nellis and Edwards AFB in October 2003, and a pilot training squadron was established at Tyndall AFB. The first operational squadron is the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB that reached initial operational capability in December 2005. Upon entering service, the Raptor has been cleared to carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-9M Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile, and the GBU-32 JDAM 1,000-lb GPS-guided bomb. Other weapons planned for integration aboard the F-22 in the near future include the GBU-39 SDB GPS-guided bomb and the latest AIM-9X variant of Sidewinder.

The US Congress has so far voted to deny export of the F-22 to foreign countries, but Japan and Israel have expressed strong interest in purchasing the plane. Australia also made a bid but has instead chosen to buy the F-35.

Tags: f-22, fa ka, raptor, russia, t-50, usa

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vlajca