Singha some information.
http://www.janes.com/products/janes/def ... 1065972202
RVV-MD success spells the end for rival AAM programmes
By Reuben F Johnson
10/9/2012
Russia's improved version of the Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile (AAM) has proved so successful that neither the K-30 programme to develop an all-new weapon in this class nor the similar programme by the Ukrainian Luch bureau progressed beyond the preliminary design stages, a Moscow-based missile designer has told IHS Jane's.
The improved R-73 variant, which at one time was called the R-74 and is now being offered for export as the RVV-MD, "is everything that a close-combat AAM should be in terms of performance," the designer said. "Putting the money into a new missile made no sense."
Designers familiar with the K-30 programme told IHS Jane's that the K-30 was initiated back in the 1980s at the Vympel design bureau in Moscow. It was specifically designed to be one of the new series of air-to-air weapons that would be used on board the now-abandoned Mikoyan MFI Project 1.42 fighter. It was to have been a dogfighting missile with an imaging IR seeker and would have employed a thrust-vector controlled rocket motor similar to that of the R-73.
179 of 414 words
Its going to be the RVV-SD (improved version of R-77) and the RVV-MD (improved version of R-73E) which are going to be on the T-50. We will likely incorporate Astra as well, if it can fit in.
The T-50 is also to test a new HMDS. Other improvements apart from the AESA, are sensor fusion (also on the Su-35, and likely to be used on the Super30 upgrade as well - they both share the same cockpit layout, as does the T-50 prototype) and an automated pilot associate (basically automatic course corrections and suggestions - currently present in limited form on the Eurofighter).
The PAK-FA can carry a total of 4 BVR + 2 WVR missiles as per the current prototype design, in internal bays plus wing bays (with disposable covers). A limited loadout but should be sufficient when coupled with the PAK-FAs high speed, high alt, LO attack profile.
Its likely the PAK-FA is going to rely on a combination of VLO RCS in frontal sector, LO in others plus active EW to suppress spikes, as versus purely passive stealth as on F-22 and JSF.
IAF has asked for the usual everything plus kitchen sink for their version of the PAK-FA, including 360 degree AESA. Lets see how that goes.
A large range & high speed/supermaneouverability profile is a very dangerous capability for the opponent to face upto.
Apart from ramjet AAMs and dual pulse motor AAMs, conventional AAMs such as the AMRAAM will stand very limited chance to even face off against such a target. Let alone have their seeker lock on successfully.
The Chinese have indeed spent a fair bit of time, getting the J-20 design outer mold line in place. But, they lack the interiors in terms of sensor sophistication. In Austin's report above, the Phazatron radar company director from Russia rather plaintively keeps talking of how they helped Chinese houses and how the latter then made their own radars, while clearly, so as to not offend the Chinese, he gives a disclaimer at the end that they didn't copy etc. Phaza is the also-ran of the two Russian radar houses, perennially coming second to NIIP which has established itself with the Sukhoi marketshare. They need money, and clearly, the Chinese need partnership since the Phaza folks mention the Chinese want AESA tech.