MOSCOW. May 28 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia plans to develop a fifth-generation aircraft prototype, which will not be inferior to cutting-edge Western counterparts, as far as its flight characteristics are concerned," Air Force Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
"We have already established a scientific backlog for developing the fifth-generation aircraft, and we plan to manufacture a prototype, capable of competing with future NATO aircraft," he said.
Mikhailov also said that the program for developing the fifth-generation aircraft had been developed and adopted. The flagship contractor and major subcontractors have also been determined on a competitive basis.
" Most specification requirements of the fifth-generation aircraft have been defined and sent to contractors," he said.
As far as the cost of this aircraft is concerned, the aircraft will be capable of successfully competing in the international market, given its flight characteristics," Mikhailov said.
Experts say that the baseline variant of the future fighter will have specifications that are not inferior to the JSF aircraft of the United States. Some of the specifications will equal those of the F-22 heavy fighter. The new aircraft will be distinguished for multifunctional ability, supermaneuverability, high stealth capability, ability to take off from and land on airstrips 300-400m long. The fighter's mass production is to begin in 2010.