On the eve of the international military-technical forum Army-2023, First Deputy Director General of Rostec State Corporation Vladimir Artyakov gave a big interview to RIA Novosti, in which he spoke about the plans to produce Su-57 fighters and equip them with second-stage engines (izdelie 30), about the use of modernized Su-25SM3 attack aircraft in the Strategic Air Defense Forces, as well as about the status of the development program of the long-range aircraft complex PAK DA.
According to Vladimir Artyakov, the Su-57 is currently undergoing trial operation in the Russian Air Force, and the plan is to significantly increase the rate of production of these aircraft this year.
“At the same time, the Su-57 platform is evolving. Its combat capabilities are increasing, the latest technologies are being introduced into the vehicle, and its efficiency continues to grow. In terms of propulsion systems, the Su-57 is adapted to use both first and second stage engines. Even with the first stage engine, the fighter meets the basic requirements for a fifth-generation aircraft. Aircraft with the second stage engine are now undergoing flight tests. It is already planned to deliver the Su-57 with a new engine within the framework of the existing serial contract – ODK and UAC are working on it,” Artyakov said.
In 2022, the Air Force received ten Su-57 fighters, and it was reported that the machines were used in Ukraine to engage both air targets at long range and to strike enemy air defense systems.
Answering a question about the use of Su-25 attack aircrafts in the NWO zone, Vladimir Artyakov noted that the Su-25SM3 variant has proved to be the most effective in combat use. The attack aircraft is being modernized at one of the aircraft repair plants. “New sighting and navigation equipment, a new optical-laser thermal-television sighting system, a new satellite navigation system, as well as an electronic warfare complex and other systems are being installed on the aircraft in the course of modernization,” he explained.
Earlier it was reported that on the Ukrainian front, the Russian Armed Forces are using modernized Su-25SM3 attack aircraft equipped with the Vitebsk onboard electronic warfare system to defend against man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). This modification of the Su-25 attack aircraft is used mainly in the southern direction and in the Donbass. Vitebsk airborne defense complexes are placed in containers on the Su-25SM3 aircraft’s suspension units, they show high performance and are generally quite successful in fulfilling their tasks, sources from the Air Defense Forces zone reported.
As for the advanced long-range aviation complex (PAK DA), Vladimir Artyakov was extremely brief when asked about the suspension of its development and the timeframe for the creation of the first flight model: “Work on the PAK DA project is being carried out in the mode established by the approved plan-schedule,” he said.
On March 1, 2017, a TASS source reported that PJSC Tupolev had built several mockups of the PAK DA from composite materials, as well as a full-size mockup made of wood. The mockups are made according to the “flying wing” scheme. According to the source, the new bomber will maximize the use of technologies to reduce radar visibility, its design will use radio-absorbing materials, and all weapons will be placed inside the aircraft. The PAK DA will also be equipped with modern electronic warfare equipment.
On the same day, Gazeta.ru, citing its sources in the defense industry, denied reports about the existence of a full-size mockup of the PAK DA made of wood. Instead of a life-size mockup of the PAK DA, Tupolev assembled a wooden full-size mockup of the bomber’s cockpit. In this structure is installed the necessary equipment, working on options for accommodation of crew members, the layout of the sighting and navigation complex, controls and life support systems. In addition, there is one flying mockup of the PAK DA from composite materials, made at a scale of 1:10, the report said.
In the spring of 2022, Tupolev received a patent for a “utility model of an airplane engine air intake.” The abstract to the patent says that the prototype of the utility model is a device for mounting the air intake of a jet gas turbine engine installed in an airplane made according to the “flying wing” scheme. It follows from the illustrations to the patent that it is a prospective aircraft complex of long-range aviation.
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