Sukhoi develops single-engine stealth fighter
The Sukhoi company, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of the Rostec State Corporation, is developing the first Russian single-engine light tactical fighter with supersonic speed and low radar signature. This was reported by TASS news agency on 26 May 2021 citing unnamed sources in the aircraft industry.
According to the sketchy information provided so far, the new aircraft shall reach speeds exceeding Mach 2 at high altitudes and, typically for a Sukhoi, shall feature super-maneuverable characteristics by using a 3D TVC equipped power plant enabling to achieve the thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 1.0.
The take-off weight of the new aircraft should not exceed 18 tons and the design shall form an universal platform for both manned and unmanned versions.
This info is reflected back to December 2020 when Sergei Chemezov, head of the Rostec State Corporation, mentioned that Rostec was proactively working on the concept of a future single-engine aircraft to fill in the blanks of the Russian defence industry for the light and medium class fighters, with strong emphasis on the future export market. The development is currently being executed proactively without funds linked to Russian defence budget.
Just recently, a photo from the office of Yuri Borisov, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, shows a model of an unknown fighter, remotely resembling a product of mating the Su-57 with Boeing’s JSF concept, the X-32, featuring a large air intake under the nose of the aircraft. Whether this model has any connection to the future Sukhoi’s fighter, remains to be seen.
Photos via ic.pics/livejournal.com