Russian aircraft designers of Sukhoi Aviation Holding Company have presented the first developments of the sixth generation fighter. It is reported by TASS with a reference to the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin.
According to TASS News Agency, the issue is about new and specific projects which have been briefly presented by the design bureau of “Sukhoi” and the chief designer charged with the development of all aircraft systems and weapons. “We are seriously discussing the ideas on development of the sixth generation fighter,” Dmitry Rogozin says.
In his turn, the current Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Viktor Bondarev says that the plane is under development both in manned and unmanned variants. However, Bondarev did not specify how much time might be needed for the development of an unmanned aircraft, but he made it clear that it was not a matter of a few next years.
He also confirmed that the Russian fifth-generation fighter T-50 PAK FA would become operational in 2017.
New Russian fighter is expected to be better than the American F-22 and F-35, and to surpass them in all practical characteristics. According to Bondarev, the PAK FA will be multi-functional so “it can destroy both ground and air, as well as sea targets”. The speed of the aircraft exceeds 2 Machs, but now stealth, armament and maneuverability are more important, as Bondarev notes.