MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The Rostekhnologii (Russian Technologies) state owned corporation and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will jointly pursue a program to develop a fifth-generation jet fighter.
"We will work together with the UAC in industrial programs, including the creation of a fifth-generation airplane, and in other projects. Rostekhnologii will take part in all of the UAC's programs," Rostekhnologii General Director Sergei Chemezov said at a ceremony in Moscow on Wednesday, during which the state corporation and the UAC signed a cooperation agreement.
Rostekhnologii's 80 enterprises that act as suppliers for plants belonging to the UAC will be merged into several instrument making holdings that will cater to the needs of the aircraft manufacturing sector, said Chemezov, who is also chairman of the Russian Machine Building Union.
Russia's fifth-generation jet fighter is being developed by the Sukhoi Holding. Its flight trials are expected to start in 2009. The new aircraft will be super-maneuverable and use stealth technology to make it harder to be detected by radars. It will fly at supersonic speeds and all weapons will be installed inside its fuselage.