Why PAK-FA So Cheap Compared To F-22 and F-35?

legoboy

New Member
F-22 - 150m
F-35 - 107m
PAK-FA - 54m

What makes the PAK-FA so much cheaper?

Cheaper construction? Cheaper parts?
 

Lion

Senior Member
Isn't he asking why the plane is cheaper, not how being cheaper will benefit it?

Cheaper raw material? (Russian big country, it need not import most of the raw material)

Cheaper labour? (Russian scientist and skill labour are pay less compare to western counterpart)
 

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Another point I want to make is that the Russians often use interesting engineering solutions to overcome limitations in manufacturing techniques and materials. Take the SR-71 and MIG-25, for instance. The Americans used titanium to protect the aircraft from overheating when it was traveling at high Mach speeds whereas the Russians resorted to stainless steel. Although it came at significant weight penalties the Russians still managed to achieve what they set out to do. The latter is obviously less expensive than the former.

There is a humorous article by an aerospace engineer on CJDBY on the differences between Russian and American turbojet/turbofan engines. When I have time I'll try translating it.
 

Skywatcher

Captain
F-22 - 150m
F-35 - 107m
PAK-FA - 54m

What makes the PAK-FA so much cheaper?

Cheaper construction? Cheaper parts?

Mind you, we won't really have a good idea of the PAK-FA's cost until closer to the IOC date. The Russians, like everyone else, are subject to cost spirals.
 
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