Russia's fifth generation fighter, Sukhoi's T-50 prototype, was flown for the first time from Komsomolsk-on-Amur on Russia's Far East at 11.19 local time today. After the 47-minute flight the aircraft landed at the airfield of Sukhoi's KnAAPO facility, which assembled the PAK FA prototypes.

The T-50 is intended to meet the Russian air force's PAK FA requirement for a next-generation fighter.

The first prototype was flown by Sukhoi test pilot Sergey Bogdan. He says it was easy and comfortable to control, and the aircraft performed well in all stages of the flight. "During the flight we have conducted the initial evaluation of the aircraft's controls, performance of the engine and main systems. The aircraft also retracted the landing gear", said Bogdan.

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The T-50 design reflects a greater emphasis on low-observable shaping than Moscow's previous fifth-generation effort, MiG's 1.42 program

Sukhoi started the development of the PAK FA design around a decade ago. The first flight was initially scheduled for mid-2009. Three prototypes have been built, one of which was delivered to Moscow and is being used for static tests. In December another PAK FA prototype started taxi trials at the KnAAPO facility. The third aircraft is believed to be being used for ground testing.

Sukhoi is not discussing the technical characteristics of the T-50. Nevertheless it is known that PAK FA prototypes will be powered by a pair of NPO Saturn 117S engines. These engines, a further modification of AL-31F, rated at up to 14.5 ton thrust are now also installed at the new Su-35 multirole fighters.

The T-50's avionics suite is being developed by Ramenskoye Design Bureau. The company's head Givi Djanjgava earlier explained that the suite includes six-processor computer, visualization tools and flight instrument system.

According to Sukhoi, PAK FA avionics integrates ‘electronic pilot" function and AESA radar being developed by Tikhomirov NIIP design bureau. NIIP's full-scale phased array antenna was unveiled at the Moscow MAKS air show in August 2009.

At that time Anatoly Sinany, Tikhomirov's chief designer, explained that T-50's radar antenna will have 1,500 T/R modules, produced by Iztok company from Fryazino, near Moscow. The new avionics will give T-50 network-centric capabilities; enable it to exchange real-time data within the air group and with ground command posts.

But the first PAK FA prototype is likely to fly without radar as this is just passing bench tests. The first radar for the aircraft is expected to be ready in mid-2010.

Sukhoi also says the new fighter uses composite materials and innovative technologies that together with the aerodynamic shape of the fuselage and reduced engine's signature ensuring its low radar, optical and infrared visibility.

The aircraft is expected to enter in service in 2015 and will be supplied to the Russian Air Force along with Su-35 fighters. Commenting the start of PAK FA flight trials, Sukhoi head Mikhail Pogosyan also mentioned that India will join the program on later stages.

Photo: Sukhoi