Danger Zone: Russia's First Stealth Fighter Can Penetrate Enemy Territory

In an interview with the Russian network Zvezda, Givi Dzhandzhgava, head and chief designer of the Ramenskoye Instrument Design Bureau, touted the Russian fifth generation T-50 fighter jet, also known as the PAK FA, as a sophisticated plane capable of solving a whole array of special tasks.

"PAK FA is a multi-purpose aircraft, which can, in addition to winning air superiority, solve a spate of tactical tasks. Thanks to its stealth characteristics, the T-50 will be able to penetrate deep into the enemy territory and conduct pinpoint strikes," Dzhandzhgava said.

Asked about feasibility of the PAK FA being armed with cruise missiles, he said that "sometimes it is necessary to destroy a target during subsequent strikes rather than the first one, something that you will be unable to fulfill with help of a cruise missile."

In February, Zvezda reported that the T-50 is due to enter service with the Russian Armed Forces later this year, and that the plane is expected to be equipped with highly advanced X-74M2 cruise missiles.

Besides its ability to fly at speeds well above Mach 2, the T-50 boasts other, even more important, features such as invisibility to radar and powerful weapons. It is equipped with advanced avionics and a cutting-edge phased array radar system.

Meanwhile, several foreign powers have already expressed an interest in the new warplane, and the serial manufacturing of an export version of the PAK FA is scheduled to begin in 2020.