Lockheed says T-50 well suited for USAF’s next generation trainer needs

Lockheed Martin believes its T-50 jet trainer is well-suited to meet the US Air Force's requirement for a next-generation replacement for the Northrop T-38C Talon.

After seeing a set of draft key performance parameters (KPP) for what the USAF hopes field in the T-X trainer, Mike Griswold, Lockheed's business development director for the T-50, expressed confidence that the company's aircraft will meet the service's requirements.

"There is nothing in here that presents a problem for the T-50," Griswold says. "We designed this aircraft starting about 10 years ago specifically as the T-38 replacement knowing this day would come."

Lockheed believes that the USAF will release a request for proposal in late 2013 or early 2014, but how the programme proceeds is largely dependent on the health of the US defence budget. Griswold estimates that the air force could buy as many as 350 jets to replace the T-38 fleet. If support aircraft such as "aggressor" T-38s used to help train Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor pilots at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, or Tyndall AFB, Florida, are included, that number could increase somewhat.

The T-50, which is currently in service with the South Korean air force, would have to have its cockpit systems tailored to the USAF's requirements. The service wants the aircraft to have embedded training systems that would simulate radars and electronic warfare systems that resemble those found on the F-22 and Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters. "We've been working on that for some time because we've always known that would be a requirement f

or T-X," Griswold says.

Aerodynamically, the T-50 has the performance to meet the USAF's requirements for G-loading and instantaneous and sustained turn rates. It should also be able to maneuver at better than 20° angle-of-attack. The T-50 will have to be modified with an aerial refueling receptacle, but whether or not it would actually be able to take on fuel or simply make dry contacts has yet to be determined, Griswold says. The USAF's requirements only call for the T-X to make dry contacts-but the capability to train for aerial refueling is critical for prospective F-22 and F-35 student pilots.

Lockheed is also confident that it can deliver the USAF's required simulation capabilities for the T-X programme. The service's specifications call for a comprehensive training system that not only requires robust flight simulation systems, but it calls for the ability to replicate physiological sensations of flying on the ground. Those include a dynamically moving seat and supporting the inflation of a full body G-suit similar that worn by F-22 pilots.

The T-X programme is designed to find the "sweet spot" between simulation and live flying. "But at the end of the day, you gotta go fly the airplane," Griswold says.

Sukhoi Company Completes T-50’s Initial Approach Trials to a Refuelling Aircraft

Sukhoi Company has completed trials of T-50’s (5th generation fighter aircraft PAK FA) initial approach to a flight refuelling aircraft.

Aircraft T-50-2 made nine approaches to an Ilyushin Il-78 tanker accompanied by a Su-25UB aircraft.

T-50-2, Sukhoi's second prototype is undergoing a range of flight trials to test the new plane's flight envelope in subsonic and supersonic regimes and in different configurations.

The first prototype, T-50-1, is being prepared for a flight test program involving flight at super-critical angles of attack and super-maneouvrability. Flight tests of the T-50-3 with a unique on-board active phased array
radar system were started earlier this month. In the course of the ground and flight tests of the T-50-3 prototype the radar “air-to-air” and “air-to-surface” test modes in the first experiments demonstrated a stable and effective performance comparable with the most advanced existing radar systems. The further development of these capabilities was confirmed. The optical channels tests have begun.

The radar developed by the Moscow-based Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design allows to increase the target detection range in simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, recognize and classify group and single targets, and simultaneously attack several targets with precision-guided weapons and perform electronic warfare functions.

A fourth T-50 will join the test program later this year.

Sukhoi T-50 Stealth Fighter Completes Tanker Plug Trial

Russian fighter maker Sukhoi's T-50 fifth-generation stealth fighter has completed initial approach trials to a flight refuelling aircraft, the company said on Tuesday.

The aircraft, T-50-2, made approaches to an Il-78 tanker in company with a Su-25UB trainer/strike aircraft.
The second prototype, T-50-2 is currently conducting a range of flight trials to test the new plane's flight envelope in subsonic and supersonic regimes and in different configurations.
The first prototype, T-50-1, is undertaking preparation for a flight test program involving flight at super-critical angles of attack and super-maneuverability.
In August, T-50-3 will start full tests of the aircraft's new active phased-array radar system and avionics, which the company says has already shown impressive results in air-to-air and air-to-ground tests.

The NII Tikhomirova radar will allow T-50 to attack targets at long-range in simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-surface modes, detect and classify group and single targets and simultaneously attack several targets at once with precision-guided weapons and also perform electronic warfare functions.
A fourth T-50 will join the test program later this year.
The T-50 is due to enter Russian Air Force service after 2015. A derivative of the aircraft is also due to enter service with the Indian Air Force at a slightly later date.

Sukhoi begins testing onboard radar system for T-50 aircraft

The Sukhoi Company began flight tests of the 5^th generation fighter aircraft (PAK FA or T-50) with a unique on-board active phased array radar system. In the course of the ground and flight tests of the
 T-50-3 prototype the radar “air-to-air” and “air-to-surface” test modes in the first experiments showed a stable and effective performance comparable with the most advanced existing radar systems.

The further development of these capabilities was confirmed. The optical channels tests have begun.
The radar has been developed by the Moscow-based Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design using locally made elements of nanotechnology. It incorporates advanced antenna systems technology with electronically controlled beam.

The unification of the elements of design and engineering solutions allows creation of the antenna arrays for the modernization of radar systems for aircraft and air defense systems on the basis of the developed AFAR.
The AFAR radar has a range of new operation modes, which are used for the first time in domestic practice. It allows increasing the target detection range, parallel working in the “air-to-air” and “air-to-surface” modes, recognition and classification of the group and single objects, simultaneously attacking multiple targets with precision weapons, and ensuring communication and electronic countermeasures.

Initial tests of the radar on the T-50

The Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi announced on August 8 have begun trials of a single radar Active Phased Array (AESA) on the fifth generation fighter T-50 (PAK-FA).

"In initial testing ground and airborne radar using an array antenna with phase control installed on a prototype T-50-3 gave strong performances in the plans' air to air" and "air-surface ". These performances are worthy of the best existing aircraft, "Sukhoi said in a statement.

Sh121 radar was developed by the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute based in Moscow. It uses elements of nanotechnology manufactured locally and incorporates an antenna with the technology of electron beam systems controlled on the basis of the program AFAR.

The T-50 must have all the performance of a 5th generation aircraft: a low radar signature and heat, a supersonic cruise speed, high integration of control systems, etc.. The aircraft is designed to replace the MiG-29 and Su-27 in service with the Russian army. The T-50 was developed in Russia since the 1990s.

Asian Defence News