Photo from www.sukhoi.org The second prototype of the Sukhoi PAK FA, Russian fifth-generation fighter jet will be ready for test flights by year’s end. The first aircraft is being tested ahead of schedule. The first flyable PAK FA prototype has so far done 40 flights at the aviation company’s facility at Komsomolsk-on-Amur, head of the producer Mikhail Pogosyan told journalists on Monday. The Russian counterpart for the American F-22 Raptor did its maiden flight on January 29, 2010. The Sukhoi PAK FA is expected to be approved for series in 2015. To date, the Defense Ministry has contracted 100 of the aircraft, although that number may increase to 150, Pogosyan said. There will also be an export version of the fighter developed in collaboration with India. Sukhoi estimates the potential market for it as high as 100 aircraft annually thanks to its superior performance-to-cost ratio. PAK FA is a stealth heavy fighter with a combat load of 7,500 kg. That is enough to carry up to eight R-77 medium range air-to-air missiles or two long-range Novator K-100 air-to-air missiles in its two internal bays. The aircraft has a range of 5,500 kilometers and a top speed of 2,500kph. The expected price tag is $100 million.
