Two Russian Stealth Fighters Launch for Weapons Tests

Most stunning image yet of Moscow’s new warplanes

Russia’s Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter program entered a new phase on May 20 as two of the twin-engine prototypes took off for external weapons integration tests.

Aircraft numbers 053 and 054 are involved in the testing. “Alazan” at Russianplanes.net shot this striking photo of the flight.

Noteworthy, the two T-50s on the May 20 test flight were still wearing the standard color scheme and not the brand-new “shark” camouflage. Between them, 053 and 054 carried R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles, R-77 medium-range air-to-air missiles and KH-31 anti-ship missiles.

Russia has five T-50 test planes and plans to buy scores of the fighters starting in a few years. India is also helping develop a variant, although lately New Delhi has been unhappy with the design.

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