RUSSIA: Stealth Fighter Takes Maiden Flight

On 29 January, the Russian military’s new Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter spent 47 minutes in the air during the plane’s first flight. The fighter is also designated the PAK FA, and is seen as a potential rival to the F22 Raptor. Sukhoi’s director, Mikhail Pogosyan, said that he was convinced that the fighter would surpass its western rivals in cost effectiveness and offer greater defensive strength to the aging Russian military. The Russian air force is hoping to have the fighter operational and fully deployed by 2015.