21 May 2007

F-22 Raptor-ski: Part II

Seems all isn't skittles 'n' beer over in Sukhoi land these days...


Funding for the new engine for Russia's next-generation fighter, the Sukhoi T-50, is in big financial trouble, and will force the aircraft's firsts flight in 2009 to be undertaken with AI-31 engines now used on the Su-27. NPO Saturn, which led the engine development for the T-50 (also known as the PAK FA), warns the program still has no financial support from customers, slowing the effort.
(Source: AW&ST/21 May 07)
Makes one wonder if the Chinese are being standoffish because of their own in-house engine development effort...