"The PAK FA, fifth-generation fighter, will be armed to the teeth with the best weapons Russia can offer it. It will be the most lethal fighter on the planet and will be equipped with the best short-range missile in history. "
The Russians continue to promote the Sukhoi T-50 which should reach the Initial Operational Capacity within the first few months of next year.
The Vympel R-73 (codename born: AA-11 Archer) is a third generation infrared heat-guided air-to-air missile with a maximum range of 19 miles, approximately 30 km. The minimum use is set at 300 meters. It was designed to engage virtually any type of platform: fighters, drones and cruise missiles.
“What makes the R-73 lethal is its targeting and maneuvering system. Thanks to its passive infrared system it can frame the target even before being launched. It is capable of hitting targets at large pointing angles (up to 40 ° outside the missile's center line) and is immune to any kind of Western countermeasure ”.
Designed to replace the R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid'), the Archer demonstrated his "off-boresight" ability in the simulated duels between the USAF and the German MiG 29 equipped with R-73.
"Accuracy to say the least exceptionally, guaranteed by the directional thrust, which excludes possible errors in the trajectory of final approach. The transversely controlled engine is still unmatched in the world".
It is not surprising, therefore, that the latest version of the R-73, the E, will equip the Russian PAK FAs. Duks, a company that makes R-73, is currently working to increase the already outstanding missile capacity of the 25-30 by one hundred percent.
According to the Russians (here it is clear the reference to the new American doctrine that for the 20 century considers "out-of-date" the close combat, hypothesizing only duels beyond the visual ray), in the war of the future the dogfight will still be protagonist, that's why T-50 will have every type of weapon necessary to impose its domain in any operating theater and at any distance.
The Sukhoi T-50, from the Pak-Fa program, took off for the first time the 29 January of 2010 (without, however, part of the avionics such as radar and arms management systems). According to Russian estimates, the Pak-Fa will be built in exemplary numbers between 800 and 1000, including exports (only the Russians hope to put at least 450 in line). For the T-50, an operating cycle of forty years is expected, with an estimated cost of 100 million dollars per hunt.
The T-50 represents the first experience for the Russians with absorbing radar materials (Ram), compared to the thirty-year experience gained by the Americans with the F-117. Five to date prototypes completed for more than 400 flight hours. All fighters were equipped with AESA radar and three-dimensional vector thrust control.
If the development proceeds without particular problems, the fighter will enter service as early as next year, becoming the first fifth-generation aircraft built by Moscow. Initial Operating Capacity could be declared within the first few months of next year with mass production starting by June 2016.
