Dry against the Raptor

Ten years ago military and air forces of the USA took advantage of the fighter of the fifth generation F-22 Raptor which has been in common developed by the companies Lokhid Martin, the Boeing and General Daynamiks. It replaced F-15 Eagle which have outdate by then and for today is the only thing in the world the fighter of the fifth generation consisting on arms.

It is possible to carry the price to anti-records of this car – 350 million dollars taking into account all expenses. It is curious that ten years ago gold on weight equal to weight F-22 as much costed. It is the most expensive fighter in the world, but not the most expensive plane in the world. The American B-2 Spirit bomber which costs to the American taxpayers 2.1 billion dollars apiece is such.

In 10 years Raptors never participated in real fights. Only a year ago they flied in the sky over Syria and Iraq, carrying out of prospecting tasks. Because of the technical malfunctions continually arising onboard, flights of these cars were regularly limited. According to the special resolution of the Congress of USA F-22 cannot rise above 7.6 km and move away from airfields further a distance of direct reach. Two pilots officially refused to fly on Raptors.

And meanwhile, more modest Russian Su-35 which is most approached on the characteristics to fighters of the fifth generation, surpasses the American about what, by the way, it is opened завлял the American general Hal Homburg in a number of parameters. Only, that does not suffice Su-35 are the Stealth technologies. But it is already following level of development in which "Sukhoi Design Bureau" actively is engaged.

The perspective aviation complex of front aircraft (PAK FA) T-50 is already high-grade fighter of the fifth generation. Five prototypes T-50 which accumulated in total 450 flight hours are currently made. In a series this car it is planned to start next year. And then already Americans precisely should leave the imaginations concerning domination in air and or deeply to modernize Raptors, or to look for to it replacement.

Many data T-50 are kept a secret, but some characteristics nevertheless are known. Here also it is comparable that is known:

As we see, our fighter in all respects surpasses the American colleague. The American analysts noted that T-50 surpasses F-22 in maneuverability. Besides, pilots T-50 will use the system of navigation built in a helmet and aimings, and the board computer with elements of artificial intelligence will help to solve to the pilot the most complex problems. If with the pilot something happens, and it cannot operate flight, T-50 itself will return on base and even will land. On Raptors such system will be according to the plan established in 2017.

The only thing, on what Americans so it is economic problems which are tested by Russia count. They believe that because of these problems manufacturing and input will go to a system of new planes more slowly or even will be postponed till the best times. But let they also do not hope for it. One PAK FA T-50 plane on a third is cheaper than the Raptor, and development of the car to us will manage in 25(!) times cheaper. And not such at us catastrophic difficulties to refuse the perspective plane which will allow to keep our defense capacity at the proper level.

Evgeny Radugin