Sky Warrior: Russia's T-50 PAK FA Super Fighter Gets a 'Nervous System'

ZHUKOVSKIY (Moscow Region) (Sputnik) — The Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects (FPI) told Sputnik it had presented the first nervous system of Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft designed to improve flight safety.

"FPI, for the first time at the MAKS-2017 air show, demonstrated the design of the advanced aircraft's 'nervous system' — an aircraft structural monitoring system based on the principles of operation of living organisms' nervous system," the foundation said Thursday.

FPI presented a mock-up of the advanced PAK FA fighter, made of composite materials.

The mock-up is designed in such a way that if it is deformed the external impact is displayed on a screen, allowing experts to assess the damage, the foundation said, adding that the "nervous system" would decrease cost of the aircraft’s maintenance by eliminating the need for expensive scheduled examinations.

The Russian Aerospace Forces are expected to receive the first batch of PAK FA jets in 2019.

The T-50 is designed by the Russian Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer as part of the PAK FA, a fifth-generation fighter program of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It is a single-seat, twin-engine multirole stealth fighter jet designed for air superiority and attack roles and equipped with advanced avionics system and airborne active phased array radar. The first flight of the aircraft took place in 2010.

The FPI was established in 2012 to assist scientific research projects aimed to benefit Russian defense and security. The FPI activity is mostly focused on chemical, biological, medical, technical and information spheres.

The MAKS-2017 International Aviation and Space Salon is held in the town of Zhukovskiy in the Moscow Region on July 18-23.