Sukhoi/HAL FGFA

• Russia Russia
• India India

• Sukhoi
• Hindustan Aeronautics

The FGFA program ( Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) is a joint project between the Russian aerospace consortium OAK and the Indian Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL ) to develop a fighter aircraft of the Fifth Generation.

Program content

The program is based on the Russian PAK -FA program, its prototype, the Sukhoi T -50, and has the development of a tailor-made for the Indian Air Force PAK FA version to the destination.

The FGFA should - as apparently the most difference to the PAK -FA - his double, as the Indian Air Force after the good experience with the Su- 30MKI two-seat machines preferred.

On January 5, 2010 it was announced that a delegation of the Indian Ministry of Defence in the Siberian factory by Sukhoi ( KNAAPO ) observed the production of the PAK - FA prototype. A joint development of respective detailed contract was nearing completion. The contract that the Bangalore-based HAL will conclude with OAK should include an obligation for the construction of 250 combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF ) and an equal number for Russia. Optionally, the order additional machines should be possible. HAL and OAK will be equal partners in the joint venture, as well as the Indian BrahMos JV, which will be responsible for the development and construction of the FGFA. Furthermore, it was known that the HAL in the negotiations seeking a share of 25 percent of the development and construction work of the FGFA program. The job share of HAL will include critical software and on-board computers, navigation systems, a large part of the cockpit displays, CMD systems and also those required by the Indian Air Force reconstruction of the single-seater Sukhoi prototype in a two-seater version. The Russian targets in titanium structures will be complemented by the experience of the Indian industry with such a hull designs. Overall, the construction of 500 aircraft is planned, with the possibility of further deliveries there. The Russian Air Force will receive 200 single-seat and 50 two-seater PAK -FA aircraft, while 200 double and 50 single-seat FGFA aircraft delivered to the Indian Air Force.

Sukhois director Mikhail Pogosjan expects a demand of about 1,000 aircraft for the next four decades - each 200 machines for Russia and India and another 600 for other consumer countries. Russia Viktor Khristenko, Minister of Commerce said that the aircraft will be developed and produced with India and both countries " will pull together its benefits not only from the sale of their home markets, but also from the sale to third countries".

In the Indian media, the term is generally used for each FGFA fighter aircraft of the Fifth Generation.

Development

The cost of commissioning of 250 equipped with stealth properties FGFA fighter aircraft could be more than 25 billion U.S. dollars under certain circumstances. In addition there are are huge investments in the joint development of FGFA with Russia and for the construction of the huge infrastructure that are needed in India for the operation and maintenance of such fighter jets come. Air Chief Marshal Naik said the 30 -ton FGFA is a " multi-role combat aircraft with a very advanced avionics, stealth properties to increase its survivability, higher lethal effects, 360 - degree view, smart weapons, data networking, high-performance computers " and some other advanced characteristics.

Along with 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, which plans to raise India as part of a $ 10.4 billion -dollar project, 270 machines of the Sukhoi - 30MKI, which are delivered for about 12 billion U.S. dollars from Russia, a combat efficiency of the existing Su-30 MKI for another 2 billion U.S. dollars and 120 pieces of the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA- Tejas ) for 3.6 billion U.S. dollars to form the approximately 250 FGFA machines for the foreseeable future, the mainstay of the Indian air Force. Regardless to 2000 and 61 MiG -29 SMT sure worth 2.2 billion U.S. dollars, whose applicability to the year 2025 and for a further 125 MiG- 21-2017 combat efficiency measures for 50 older Mirage. This is the required combat strength of the Indian Air Force from 44 squadrons with more than 792 aircraft within the next ten years ( 18 aircraft per squadron ) can be achieved and be completed at a cost of about 55 to 65 billion U.S. dollars, the rebuilding of the Air Force.

The joint venture depends heavily on the success of the BrahMos project. Russia and India were at the beginning of 2007, agreed to jointly start a program to develop a fighter aircraft of the Fifth Generation ( FGFA ). Quoted on October 27, 2007, Asia Times the director of Sukhoi, Mikhail Pogosjan: "We, India and Russia will share the funding, development and intellectual property in the new project together in a 50:50 ratio ." Under the Agreement, the Indian version will differ from the Russian and will be adapted to Indian conditions. While the Russian version will be a single-seat fighter aircraft, according to their operational doctrine should fulfill a wider range of tasks, the two-seater Indian variant. The lifting and control surfaces need to be adjusted for the FGFA. Although the development work is still to come, the Russian side was optimistic that in 2009 a test aircraft for its first flight available - one year after the planned for the PAK FA first flight - and will take place into service in 2015.

According to the chairman of HAL, A. K. Baweja September 16, 2008 HAL seeks entry into a joint venture with Russia to develop the engine for the FGFA as a more advanced version of the AL -37. Until February 2009, India should, according to the Director General of Sukhoi, Mikhail Pogosjan, get a Russian version of the appropriate PAK -FA machine, the only difference should exist in the software of the aircraft. The roll-out of the first prototype was expected before August 2009. Xinhua quoted an Indian defense official in August 2009 saying did India will get its first stealth fighter aircraft by the end of 2009.

Differences between PAK -FA and FGFA

The difference between the PAK -FA and FGFA which is the match between the Su -30M and Su- 30MKI of. The Su -30M is a standard Russian version of the aircraft, whereas the Su- 30MKI ( MKI stands for " Modernisirowannij Kommertscheski Indiski " ) was developed in collaboration with the Indian Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force. The Su- 30MKI received a thrust vectoring and canards and is equipped with a multi-national - originating from India, Israel, Russia and France - Avionics equipped. The aircraft of the PAK -FA and FGFA the programs will have only a few technological similarities. Furthermore, the FGFA will be predominantly using weapons of Indian origin such as Astra and developed in India long-range air - to-air missiles. Following the Russian operational doctrine of the use of a wide range of versatile rockets for different mission types, interchangeability of various missile systems can be expected. The differences between Indian and Russian FGFA PAK FA is significant, since the two-seater version of the aircraft requires a re-sizing of lifting and control surfaces.

The FGFA may also be equipped with systems of third suppliers.

Construction

Although no reliable information about the technical data of PAK -FA and FGFA are available, it is known from circles of the Russian Air Force that it will have stealth characteristics as well as its supercruise capable and equipping an armament with the latest generations of air -to-air, air -to-ground and air -to-ship missiles and an AESA radar will include. The FGFA will initially be equipped with two Saturn 117S engines. This engine is an advanced version of the AL- 31F, manufactured with the experience of the AL- 41F program. The AL- 41F is designed for the now adjusted MFI program ( Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 1:44 ).

For the equipment of the FGFA with the final engines, which should be 2015 to 2016 ready for assembly, three Russian producers in competition.