Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet gets the heads turning

The prototype of the Russian-made fighter jet known as the PAK FA (T-50)has now been coined the Su-57, after its new fuselage passed all tests. The advanced aircraft still needs to undergo both weapons and engine testing before final production can begin.  

The ninth prototype of the T-50 has been equipped with the Izdelie-30, fifth-generation engine, which will be tested at the end of the year.

Compared to the Izdelie-117, the engine is a new development and has already been installed in the latest Su-57. The Izdelie-117 is a modernized version of the AI-31 engine – the “heart” of the original Su-27.