Editor’s Note: It was only a matter of time before we started hearing about other countries pursuing 6th-Generation fighters of their own. Yesterday, Sukhoi got in on the act, presenting design concepts and publicly joining the race. The timing is interesting, considering the T-50/PAK-FA has not yet reached operational status with the Russia’s Air Force. We can expect Sukhoi will be developing both manned and unmanned versions, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with as their program develops.

Russia’s Sukhoi design bureau has presented the first blueprints for the sixth-generation fighter jet development, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday.

“I’m referring also to new design concepts briefly presented by the Sukhoi design bureau and by the general designer appointed for all aircraft systems and armaments,” Rogozin told reporters after a meeting on the military aviation development. “They have really come up with the designs for the creation of the sixth-generation fighter.”

He also said that as of today the Russian aircraft building industry “is currently engaged in state testing of the fifth-generation fighter.”

According to Rogozin, it is necessary to look far ahead now in order to attain new quality of Russian aviation. In addition, to retain the positions it is necessary to rejuvenate the personnel, consolidate the industry, engage in its technical re-equipment and cooperate with all to the industry advantage. New radio-electronic technology and new armaments are the priorities, Rogozin said.

Meanwhile, Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces Viktor Bondarev told reporters on Wednesday that Russia’s sixth-generation fighter is being developed in both manned and unmanned versions. “It (the plane) will be modified in both versions,” Bondarev said, answering a TASS question. “If we stop, we will stop forever,” the commander added. “Therefore, the work is going on – on the sixth and perhaps the seventh (generation) fighters.”

The original article in its entirety can be viewed here.

(Featured photo courtesy of Wikipedia)