The Russian version of the T-50 is reportedly simpler than the Indian version, which includes Indian avionics and a wider range of compatible weapons. Five Russian T-50 prototypes are flying. The Indian model still exists only on paper.
But that hasn’t stopped the Indian air force from voicing its unhappiness with the T-50. According to transcripts of December and January meetings obtained by Business Standard, air force and defense ministry officials listed at least four “shortfalls in terms of performance and other technical features”:
The AL-41F engines currently fitted to the T-50 are unreliable. The radar is inadequate. The airframe is poorly built, with serious implications for the jet’s stealth profile. And in light of these defects, $6 billion is too much to pay up front.
According to Business Standard, Russian officials countered, saying the AL-41F engines are a temporary fit until brand-new and more powerful motors can be developed. The radar, too, is temporary—pending new sensors being developed specifically for the Indian version of the warplane.
But the allegations of sloppy construction appear to be particularly serious. Besides posing an accident risk, low-quality construction can result in gaps and mismatched angles that elevate a plane’s radar signature.
Press reports in 2013 indicated that Sukhoi was having problems with quality control in the T-50 effort. At least one of the prototypes needed patches on its wings to keep from falling apart during high-stress maneuvers.
All the same, Business Standard speculates that the Indian complaints could be somewhat politically motivated, as New Delhi is also planning to buy 126 new Rafale fighters from France for an eye-watering total price of $18 billion. Scrapping the T-50 could help India pay for the French jets.
Mutations that are good for living in cold weather are probably bad for living in hot weather.
You don't want your body fat turning itself directly into heat if it's hot outside anyway.
But if you're living in Siberia you don't really have to worry about hot weather.
No quite true. Siberia during ice age and Siberia today are two different climatic patterns.
Nowadays it is not unheard of to experience up to 40C during spring/summer. So people fit to withstand cold are going to suffer during heat waves.
Kir Bulichov, just like many other Russian sci-fi writers, are pretty much unknown to the West. He is excellent.
Another obscure, but brilliant Russian sci-fi writer is Sever Gansovski - with short stories like "Poligon", "Day of Fury", etc.: http://tinyurl.com/c6eygs4 , see also: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?11119
Err - who was hiding the soviet moon-landing project? It sure was classified (just like any other important military project), but general information was available for quite some time. The project was called H-1 (name of rocket) and it didn't get completed, because H-1 had three failed tests and government decided to stop funding it, even though working prototype was later finished.
Information wasn't publicly available and wasn't officially aknowledged until some time ago, but people certainly knew about it one way or other.
I don't knoiw how'd that worked with women, but pissing on tire is a good luck tradition started by Gagarin. Since he first pissed on a tire of the bus and returned safely - every cosmonaut did the same just in case. Just harmless superstitions that many professions have.
Re:One of the few remnants of communist Russia
on
Mir: Rest in Pieces
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· Score: 1
Baikonur is still largly under russian jurisdictions, despite the fact that it is being "rented" from Kazakhstan. Besides, Kazakhstan has no obvious need for it - it doesn't even plan a space program.
Plus there are two more space launch sites in Russia, one is capable of manned launches.
Re:One of the few remnants of communist Russia
on
Mir: Rest in Pieces
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· Score: 2
I don't know what media says - I tend to ignore it.
But this event gives me a sence of loss and sadness. Most of my concious life I lived with knowledge, that up there there is "Mir". Now it is gone and not much is left. I did not view it as a part of communist Russia, I view it as a proud achievement of russian people and "Mir.
I'll go drown my sorrow in vodka (guess stereotypes were right).
Re:Being a bit paranoid/suspicious
on
Solar Sails
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· Score: 1
Actually it is quite established group of scientists and engineers. Read some info on what they did here:
http://iki.cosmos.ru/ssp/vega.html
Re:They have done this before, submerged ;-)
on
Solar Sails
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· Score: 1
Just a couple of weeks ago Russian Navy launched ICBM from submerged submarine and hit target accurately (more or less). I understand that it isn't the same as sending rocket to orbit, but such project has been in development for over twenty years (it wasn't hasty project, so to say), so I think this project is doable.
As for solar sail - people used to laugh at cars (especially steam-powered ones) and discriminate against car drivers, solar sail might just be such thing that is yet to unleash its potential. We won't know until we do it.
Slashdot Mirror
The Russian version of the T-50 is reportedly simpler than the Indian version, which includes Indian avionics and a wider range of compatible weapons. Five Russian T-50 prototypes are flying. The Indian model still exists only on paper.
But that hasn’t stopped the Indian air force from voicing its unhappiness with the T-50. According to transcripts of December and January meetings obtained by Business Standard, air force and defense ministry officials listed at least four “shortfalls in terms of performance and other technical features”:
The AL-41F engines currently fitted to the T-50 are unreliable. The radar is inadequate. The airframe is poorly built, with serious implications for the jet’s stealth profile. And in light of these defects, $6 billion is too much to pay up front.
According to Business Standard, Russian officials countered, saying the AL-41F engines are a temporary fit until brand-new and more powerful motors can be developed. The radar, too, is temporary—pending new sensors being developed specifically for the Indian version of the warplane.
But the allegations of sloppy construction appear to be particularly serious. Besides posing an accident risk, low-quality construction can result in gaps and mismatched angles that elevate a plane’s radar signature.
Press reports in 2013 indicated that Sukhoi was having problems with quality control in the T-50 effort. At least one of the prototypes needed patches on its wings to keep from falling apart during high-stress maneuvers.
All the same, Business Standard speculates that the Indian complaints could be somewhat politically motivated, as New Delhi is also planning to buy 126 new Rafale fighters from France for an eye-watering total price of $18 billion. Scrapping the T-50 could help India pay for the French jets.
Karolek does not sound as a Russian name, Polish maybe?
Mutations that are good for living in cold weather are probably bad for living in hot weather.
You don't want your body fat turning itself directly into heat if it's hot outside anyway.
But if you're living in Siberia you don't really have to worry about hot weather.
No quite true. Siberia during ice age and Siberia today are two different climatic patterns. Nowadays it is not unheard of to experience up to 40C during spring/summer. So people fit to withstand cold are going to suffer during heat waves.
Go ahead, cross that Rubicon - it won't hurt - much.
You won't con me with rubies. ;)
Then perhaps rubles will do? Come along, comrade, there is much to be done!
Their high end MIGS were made of wood.
Aside from WW2 planes and earlier, which of the high end MIGs were made of wood?
Kir Bulichov, just like many other Russian sci-fi writers, are pretty much unknown to the West. He is excellent.
Another obscure, but brilliant Russian sci-fi writer is Sever Gansovski - with short stories like "Poligon", "Day of Fury", etc.: http://tinyurl.com/c6eygs4 , see also: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?11119
Err - who was hiding the soviet moon-landing project? It sure was classified (just like any other important military project), but general information was available for quite some time. The project was called H-1 (name of rocket) and it didn't get completed, because H-1 had three failed tests and government decided to stop funding it, even though working prototype was later finished. Information wasn't publicly available and wasn't officially aknowledged until some time ago, but people certainly knew about it one way or other.
I don't knoiw how'd that worked with women, but pissing on tire is a good luck tradition started by Gagarin. Since he first pissed on a tire of the bus and returned safely - every cosmonaut did the same just in case. Just harmless superstitions that many professions have.
Baikonur is still largly under russian jurisdictions, despite the fact that it is being "rented" from Kazakhstan. Besides, Kazakhstan has no obvious need for it - it doesn't even plan a space program. Plus there are two more space launch sites in Russia, one is capable of manned launches.
I don't know what media says - I tend to ignore it. But this event gives me a sence of loss and sadness. Most of my concious life I lived with knowledge, that up there there is "Mir". Now it is gone and not much is left. I did not view it as a part of communist Russia, I view it as a proud achievement of russian people and "Mir. I'll go drown my sorrow in vodka (guess stereotypes were right).
Actually it is quite established group of scientists and engineers. Read some info on what they did here: http://iki.cosmos.ru/ssp/vega.html
Just a couple of weeks ago Russian Navy launched ICBM from submerged submarine and hit target accurately (more or less). I understand that it isn't the same as sending rocket to orbit, but such project has been in development for over twenty years (it wasn't hasty project, so to say), so I think this project is doable. As for solar sail - people used to laugh at cars (especially steam-powered ones) and discriminate against car drivers, solar sail might just be such thing that is yet to unleash its potential. We won't know until we do it.