Tupolev PAK DA

PAK DA
Role Stealth strategic bomber
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Tupolev, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)
Status Under development
Primary user Russian Air Force

The Tupolev PAK DA (or PAK-DA) (Russian: ПАК ДА), factory designation Izdeliye 80, is a proposed Russian next-generation strategic bomber being developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau.[1] The PAK DA acronym stands for перспективный авиационный комплекс дальней авиации (perspektivnyi aviatsionnyi kompleks dal'ney aviatsii) literally meaning "prospective aviation complex for long-range aviation".[2] The PAK DA is planned to be a new stealth strategic bomber and is expected to enter service in 2025–30,[1] with the first aircraft previously planned for delivery in 2020,[3] but delivery will likely be after 2023.[4][5][6]

Development

In 2008, it was reported that the Russian Air Force had tactical and technical requirements for a new generation of strategic bombers. According to some early reports, the PAK DA would be heavily based on the supersonic Tu-160 bomber.[2] Later references to the new bomber, including a televised address from then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, seemed to imply that the aircraft would be an entirely new design.[7]

Russian Major General Anatoly Zhikharev stated that the new bomber would replace both the turboprop-powered Tupolev Tu-95 and the supersonic Tupolev Tu-160.[8]

In June 2012, the Deputy Prime Minister in Dmitry Medvedev's Cabinet, Dmitry Rogozin, announced that the project was in doubt and the new bomber design might not be needed.[7] The Chief of the General Staff, Nikolai Makarov, responded by stating that work was still ongoing and that the design was superior to American aircraft.[9] On 9 June 2012, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stated that the PAK DA was confirmed as planned.[10]

Speculations about the design include a combat radius of around 3,500 kilometers with full payload, a loaded weight of 100 to 120 tonnes, four engines and the possible use of some equipment from the Sukhoi Su-57, such as avionics and engines.[11] President Vladimir Putin also stated that work is to start on PAK DA despite the complex technology and monetary requirements.[12]

On 27 August 2012, Jane's Defence reported that Dmitry Rogozin had recently called for the bomber to be capable of hypersonic speed in order to match and better the air defenses of the United States.[13] It is unclear whether Rogozin's comments refer to the bomber being hypersonic or to its ability to carry hypersonic air-launched missiles.[14]

In March 2013, it was reported that the selected PAK DA design would be a subsonic flying wing.[15] In order to maintain affordability, the PAK DA will be a less ambitious project than the Northrop Grumman B-21.[16]

General Anatoly Zhikharev has said that an unmanned strategic bomber may follow the PAK DA after 2040.[17]

On 30 August 2013, a Russian Defense Ministry source revealed that the PAK DA will be equipped with advanced types of precision-guided weapons, including hypersonic weapons. The bomber itself will fly at subsonic speeds. A Russian hypersonic missile is in development, but is currently able to fly for only a few seconds. Hypersonic technology is being pursued so that Russia does not fall behind American development of similar weapons.[18]

In November 2013, a decision was taken to speed up work on the PAK DA and begin full-scale R&D work in 2014.[19] The planning stage was completed in less than one year, and development work was to begin in 2014. First flights will commence in 2019, and the bomber is to enter service in 2025. Russia's existing bomber fleet will also be modernized with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems. Two of 13 Tu-160s have undergone this overhaul as of December 2013 and the intermediate-range Tu-22M will be included in the program. 63 Tu-95 bombers will be upgraded and the Tu-95MS is to remain in service until 2040.[20]

In February 2014, Andrey Boginsky stated that Russia was attempting to acquire Chinese investment in the project.[21]

In April 2014, Mikhail Pogosyan, head of Russia's UAC, announced that the Tupolev design bureau had finalised the design of the PAK-DA and that the project was moving to the intermediate phase - i.e. completion of the design and construction of a prototype.[22]

Some of the technology and components from the PAK DA will be derived from existing aircraft. The current engine is a non-afterburning variant of the NK-32 used on the Tu-160, certain avionics such as the radar will be based on those developed for the Su-57.[23][24]

A 2016 report mentions an expected 30-ton weapons payload, a range of 6,740 nautical miles (~12,500 km), the first flight in 2021 and deliveries in 2023.[25]

On 1 March 2017, it was reported that the first full-scale model of the PAK DA was built, amongst various smaller-scale ones of various configurations, while confirming it will be a flying wing and that emphasis has been put on the low-observability (stealth) characteristics of the aircraft.[26]

In December 2017, Viktor Bondarev reported that Russia is close to build the first PAK DA prototype.[27]

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 "Russia to develop new strategic bomber by 2017". RIA Novosti. 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  2. 1 2 Larkins Dsouza (2008-07-06). "PAKDA a Russian Stealth bomber". Defence Aviation. Defence Aviation. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  3. ↑ "Russia Looking at 2020 for New Generation Long-Range Bomber". RIA Novosti. 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  4. ↑ Russian’s Air Force to Receive New Generation Long-Range Bomber in 2023 - En.Ria.ru, 22 May 2014
  5. ↑ Sweetman, Bill & Richard D. Fisher. "Future Bombers Under Study In China And Russia" Aviation Week & Space Technology, 18 September 2014. Accessed: 18 September 2014. Archived on 18 September 2014
  6. ↑ Bender, Jeremy (23 July 2015). "Russia may have to scrap it plans to build a fifth-generation stealth bomber". www.businessinsider.com. Business Insider Inc. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Russian PAK-DA bomber in doubt, says minister". Flightglobal. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  8. ↑ Isachenkov, Vladimir (2010-03-01). "Putin says Russia will build new strategic bomber, part of modernization effort". StarTribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Rogozin Doubts Need to Develop New Strategic Bomber". RIA Novosti. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  10. ↑ "Russia Confirms G5 Bomber Plans". RIA Novosti. 2012-06-09. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  11. ↑ Kramnik, Ilya (2012-06-10). "PM Medvedev approves new bomber for Russian Air Force". The Voice of Russia. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  12. ↑ "Putin Calls for New Long-Range Bomber and UAVs". RIA Novosti. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  13. ↑ Jennings, Gareth (2012-08-29). "Russian deputy prime minister calls for new bomber to be hypersonic". Jane's. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  14. ↑ "New Russian Bomber 'Will Not be Hypersonic'". RIA Novosti. 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  15. ↑ "ВВС России утвердили проект нового бомбардировщика". Lenta. 2013-03-04. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  16. ↑ Karnozov, Vladimir (2012-10-15). "Russian's next-generation bomber takes shape". Flight International. Retrieved 2013-03-08.
  17. ↑ "Russia Could Deploy Unmanned Bomber After 2020 – Air Force -". RIA Novosti. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  18. ↑ Russia’s New Bomber to Carry Hypersonic Weapons - Rian.ru, 30 August 2013
  19. ↑ Sputnik. "Russia Speeds Up Development of New Strategic Bomber". en.ria.ru. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  20. ↑ Russia to Test-Fly New Bomber in 2019 - En.Ria.ru, 24 December 2013
  21. ↑ "China and Russia can jointly develop bomber: Voice of Russia". 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  22. ↑ IHS Janes 360 (8 April 2014). "Russia finalises PAK-DA bomber design". Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Russia Developing Unique Communications Systems for Next-Generation Bomber". sputniknews.com. RIA Novosti. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  24. ↑ http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2015/12/24/4489/?h
  25. ↑ "Russian Space-Age Stealth Bomber to Hit the Skies With Hypersonic Weapons". sputniknews.com. RIA Novosti. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  26. ↑ "Russian manufacturer creates first full-size model of future strategic bomber: source". TASS. 1 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "Russia will start making prototype model of future strategic bomber shortly - senator". TASS. 24 December 2017.
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