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A few days back, Vadim Badeha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, said that the Su-57, designed with the prospect of modernization for 50 years, is entering an era comparable to sixth-generation combat machine technologies. Furthermore, Moscow is believed to be developing two additional concepts for the sixth-generation fighter project: the successor to the Yak-141 and the MiG-41. It is time we evaluate Russia’s sixth generation projects.
Russia’s sixth-generation fighter jet concept is presently in the exploratory phase, to develop a prototype by 2050. It is a component of Russia’s comprehensive military modernization initiatives. It is designed to compete with the 6th-generation fighter concepts of the United States, NATO, and China. In addition, Russia hopes to preserve its strategic aerospace technological relevance.
Russian officials, such as Evgeny Fedosov from the State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS), have stated that discussions and research are currently underway with the objective of developing a prototype by 2050. The development process prioritizes collaboration with military specialists to foresee future combat requirements.
In 2019, Sergei Smirnov, a member of the board of the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation, was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as stating that “Next-generation aviation systems represent further advancements in aerodynamics, new engines, new structural materials, next-generation onboard equipment—including the active use of artificial intelligence—and the ability to operate in a network-centric mode integrating various weapon systems.”
According to Sergei Korotkov, the general designer of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the Russian sixth-generation fighter will be highly maneuverable, stealthy, and highly integrated with other weapons systems. However, the developers will need to address the “financial accessibility” of the aircraft.
In 2023, he stated at the Aerospace Science Week held at the Moscow Aviation Institute, “The further direction of long-term development of aviation technology is, of course, the improvement of flight performance characteristics, the possibility of adaptation with other combat control and destruction systems, high maneuverability, optimal piloting, and multi-mode use of the power plant.”
The stealthiness of the combat aircraft was another challenge in the development of the sixth generation fighter, according to Korotkov.
“The main criterion for a new generation complex is in fact a compromise between operational and tactical capabilities and, as I have already said, the cost of the life cycle. Even if we make the best aircraft, but it will cost infinitely much, then this will be ineffective decision-making,” the general designer added.
He asserts that the world’s foremost nations are currently engaged in the development of next-generation aviation systems that adhere to roughly the same specifications as those established by the Russian aviation industry.
The Russian sixth-generation fighter jet is being developed as an optionally manned aircraft, according to Sergei Khokhlov, Director General of the State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS), during the “Army-2024” forum.
News agency Tass quoted him as saying, “This will be an operational-tactical symbiosis of manned and unmanned aviation. To put it simply, it could be an aircraft with an optionally distributed intelligent control system, including management of weapons and members of an attack group.”
In simplified terms, the aircraft will be capable of operating in both manned and unmanned modes. It is interesting that the UAC of Russia stated last year that discussions regarding this matter have been ongoing since 2021.
The new-generation aircraft’s characteristics have been clearly stated by the officials. However, there is more to this.
One should not expect anything unimaginable from sixth-generation aircraft. The situation will be comparable to that of the fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. The distinction between them is negligible, particularly when discussing the Russian 4+ and 4++ generation aircraft. The sixth generation will be similar to the fifth, with only minor differences.
The Russian Aerospace Forces operate in a manner that is distinct from that of the NATO and Chinese equivalents. Despite the United States’ preference for stealth, Russia prioritizes maneuverability, combat potential, and stealth in that order.
This is the reason why each nation is developing its own sixth-generation aircraft. Many anticipate that Russian aircraft will exhibit improved maneuverability, with some even employing the expression “supermaneuverability.” Russia has implemented improved maneuverability in its fifth-generation aircraft.
The primary distinction between sixth-generation and fifth-generation aircraft will be their dual control system. The identical model is capable of operating in an unmanned mode and can be piloted by a human.
Russia has already successfully tested the “Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B Hunter” heavy strike-reconnaissance drone for the manned-unmanned pairing. It is already capable of functioning in conjunction with the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter and other aircraft.
As previously indicated, three projects in Russia are recognized as sixth-generation projects.
The first is the evolution of Su-57. As per UAC CEO Vadim Badeha, the Russian Su-57 fighter aircraft, which was initially designed as a star of the fifth generation, is now transitioning into an era that is comparable to the technologies of sixth-generation combat machines.
Vadim Badeha asserts that the most recent modifications to the fighter have already surpassed existing standards and established new aviation trends.
Badeha argues that the Su-57 is not merely a fighter; it is a time machine in the realm of aviation technology. The Su-57 is capable of predicting potential threats before they occur and evading radar detection more effectively as a result of the integration of sixth-generation elements, including advanced onboard intelligent systems and cutting-edge stealth technologies.
He says that the Russian fighter jet has already demonstrated capabilities that were unattainable for its class just a few years ago. Equipped with systems that can automatically analyze combat situations and make decisions under extreme conditions, the Su-57 transforms from merely a weapon into a true participant in combat, capable of adapting and dominating on the battlefield.
This Russian fighter is already equipped for a future in which the distinctions between fighter generations are becoming increasingly ambiguous and the potential for innovation is nearly infinite.
The second project is the revival of the Yak-141. According to reports, Russia is reviving the Yak-141 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design as part of its sixth-generation fighter development pursuits. This endeavor is indicative of Russia’s historical proficiency in VTOL technology.
The MiG-41, which is intended to serve as the MiG-31’s successor, is the third noteworthy project. This aircraft will likely have sophisticated weaponry, such as anti-satellite missiles, and ultra-high speeds, which will facilitate operations in near-space environments.
Now, let us look at the timeline. It is reported that the Russian sixth-generation fighter aircraft will require decades to be developed.
Evgeny Fedosov, the head of GosNIIAS says “The fifth-generation aircraft took over 30 years to develop. The timeline here will likely be at least as long. Work has already begun.”
This makes Russia significantly behind Western nations in the development of sixth-generation fighters. For instance, the UK has already started building a demonstrator for its next-generation aircraft, the Tempest.
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