News
Russia’s new stealth fighter aborts take-off

Aug. 22, 2011, Zhukovsky, Russia – Russia's first stealth fighter jet had to
abort a takeoff at Moscow's International Aviation and Space Show on
Sunday because of what officials said was a malfunction in the right
engine.

The T-50 did not leave the runway and was slowed by a brake
parachute.

The twin-engined jet was travelling at 60 miles per hour (100
kph) when the pilot decided to abort takeoff because of a right
engine malfunction, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing a
representative of United Aircraft Building Corp., a state-controlled
holding that incorporates top Russian aircraft-makers,

The T-50, which made its maiden flight in January 2010, had been
kept out of the public eye before its debut at the air show on
Wednesday during a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The fighter is intended to match the U.S. F-22 Raptor, which
entered service in 2005.

The T-50 still lacks new engines and state-of-the art equipment,
and its serial production is only expected to begin in 2015 at the
most optimistic forecast. Two T-50s are currently undergoing tests,
and another pair is expected to join them later this year.

Russia has signed deals with India to co-operate on the
aircraft's development, and hopes that the Indian air force will
become a major customer for the plane.

The six-day air show at the Zhukovsky air base outside of Moscow
wrapped up on Sunday.