Russian PAK-FA Fighter Finishes First Stage of Trials, Pre-production Batch of 12 Aircraft to Begin

The fifth generation PAK FA (Perspective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) fighter jet (T-50), completed the first stage of the state trials.

"Today is an historic event - a preliminary conclusion has been signed at the MAKS airshow on the state joint trials of the first stage of the T-50 aircraft prototype. We are now switching to the second stage of trials. Also, we have received a recommendation on beginning the manufacture of the plane’s pre-production batch," Russian Air Force Chief Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev was quoted as saying by Tass Thursday.

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Head Yuri Slyusar said at the MAKS-2017 international airshow on Wednesday that the pre-production batch of T-50 fifth-generation fighter jets would equal 12 planes.