December 31, 2015
Russian news sources have been touting supposed "game changing" capabilities for the new T-50, PAK-FA "stealth" fighter currently under development, claiming that the new Russian fighter will be the first to incorporate Radio-Optical Phased Array (ROFAR) radar systems. According to Russian sources, the ROFAR utilizes photonic technology - utilizing optical fibers in place of wires to transmit signals - to reduce the weight of the radar system while offering greater resolution.
http://sputniknews.com/military/20151230/1032493933/russia-aviation-pak-fa-radar.html
http://sputniknews.com/military/20151230/1032507588/t50-pak-fa-f35.html
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/14961/Russia_To_Equip_PAK_FA_Fighter_With_Radio_Optical_Phased_Array_Radar#.VoU9I7YrLs0
The announcements for the new technologies being offered aboard the PAK-FA come at the same time that India is reportedly considering dropping out of the program. India had been cooperating with Russia on an Indian derivative of the PAK-FA, but concerns over cost and capabilities have threatened to derail the deal. The Russian air force has reportedly slashed its own order for PAK-FA fighters down to a single squadron of aircraft (just 12 fighters), until such time as a more powerful new engine - also under development - becomes available. The Russian government has reportedly also offered to cut the price tag for transferring the T-50 prototype technologies, from $6 billion to $3.7 billion.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/warning-turbulence-ahead-the-russia-india-stealth-fighter-14754
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/14967/Russia_Offers_to_Cut_Price_of_FGFA_T_50__India_Feels_It_Is_Still_Too_Expensive__Media_Claims#.VoU9SLYrLs0
Surveys of civilian satellite imagery have suggested an increased Chinese air force (PLAAF) deployment to the high-altitude Hotan airport, beginning in late 2014 and continuing to this day. The Hotan airport is less than 80 miles from China's disputed border with India.
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2015/12/30/satellite-imagery-shows-larger-deployments-hotan/
Chinese media is reporting that China's J-20 stealth fighter has entered low-rate initial production, with the first production aircraft rolling out of the factory this past month. The J-20 relies on the same engines as Russia's own T-50 PAK-FA fighter prototype. The engines are an upgraded derivative of the the AL-31F that powers the Su-27 and Su-30 Flanker, as well as China's J-10 fighter.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/chinas-lethal-new-j-20-warplane-takes-14757
http://sputniknews.com/military/20151230/1032505388/china-stealth-jet-production.html
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1895905/china-appears-ready-begin-mass-production-first-stealth
Taiwanese officials have greeted the news of the J-20 program's transition into production with growing alarm. Proposals to upgrade Taiwan's own air defenses with newer-model F-16s have been repeatedly rejected by Washington over the past two decades.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/12/31/2003636095
South Korea has signed an agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the development of a next-generation, KF-X "stealth" fighter. Under the terms of the deal, the South Korean government would provide 60-percent of the $6.9 billion needed to develop and build eight prototypes, six of which would be committed to flight testing and two to ground tests. KAI would provide 20-percent of the funding, with the balance to come from other industry or government sources, including funding from Indonesia, which is also interested in the airplane.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20151228001144
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/12/205_192590.html
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