MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax-ABN) - The conceptual design for the Russian fifth generation fighter plane will be worked out in 2003 and tested in the first quarter of 2004, Yuri Koptev, director general of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
"The Air Force has sent the plane's specifications. The new fighter will make its maiden flight in 2006. This deadline has not been revised," he said.
Enterprises have been identified that will contribute to the development of the new plane by the Sukhoi design board, Koptev said.
The Ramenskoye Instrumentation Design Board and Aerokosmicheskoye Oborudovaniye (aerospace hardware) corporation will develop the avionics for the plane, he said.
The plane's engine will be developed under another program, Koptev said.
"It is gradual and provides for upgrading and boosting the thrust of the AL-31F aircraft engine on the initial stage and applying the regular AL-41F engine on the second stage," he said.
"A regular full-size engine for the new fighter will be created a bit later than the first prototype of the fighter will be built," the director general said.
"There will be no competition among aircraft engine designers, as the government has already made all necessary decisions - AL-41F designed by the Saturn research and production association will become the fighter's regular engine," he stressed.
A military-technical commission under the Russian government determined the winner of the competition among advance projects of the future fighters on April 26, 2002. The project submitted by the Sukhoi design board was considered the best, and Sukhoi was appointed chief developer of the future fighter for the Russian Air Force.