Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Takes to the Skies

KUALA LUMPUR: The story from Ria Novosti is self explainatory. For Malaysian Defence followers however, it was the third favourite for the next RMAF fighter jet. The Gripen NG took top spot with the Super Hornet taking the second spot. My favourite the F35 was among the tail enders. Anyways from the pictures the Russian latest plane look a bit too much like the Raptor…..

Russia’s prototype fifth-generation fighter made a 45-minute maiden flight on Friday in the Far East, Russian television reported.

The flight had been postponed for 24 hours due to poor weather conditions in Komsomolsk-on-Amur where the prototype is being tested.

“The plane showed a superb performance. It has met all our expectations for the maiden flight,” said Olga Kayukova, a spokesperson for the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer.

Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The country’s top military officials earlier said the stealth fighter jet, with a range of up to 5,500 km, would enter service with the Air Force in 2015.

Russia’s fifth-generation project is Sukhoi’s PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world’s only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II.

The PAK FA is to be equipped with the most advanced technology and armed with next-generation high-precision weaponry.

India, which has a long history of defense relations with Moscow, remains Russia’s sole partner in the project.

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was reported to be seeking a 25% share in design and development in the project. It has also sought to modify Sukhoi’s single-seat prototype into the twin-seat fighter India’s Air Force wants.

–Malaysian Defence

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Nuri….

KUALA LUMPUR: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/24848-nuri-rotors-clipped

–Malaysian Defence

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UAE Buying New Ordnance Worth RM1.01 Billion

KUALA LUMPUR: As usual the story below is self-explainatory. We probably need only half or a quarter of the ordnance UAE is requesting so it may cost half or a quarter of the money for us to make the purchase or is it still too much?

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of 400 GBU-24(V) 11/B Enhanced PAVEWAY III, 400 GBU-24(V) 12/B Enhanced PAVEWAY III, 400 GBU-49(V) 3/B Enhanced PAVEWAY II, 400 GBU-50(V) 1/B Enhanced PAVEWAY II, 800 MK-84 2000 lbs Bombs, 400 MK-82 500 lbs Bombs, 400 BLU-109/B 2000 lbs Bombs. Also included are containers, bomb components, mission planning software, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel support services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $290 million.

–Malaysian Defence

Posted in Malaysian Defence | 9 Comments »