The Sukhoi PAK FA fighter, the second prototype of the Russian T-50 fifth-generation fighter, has performed successfully during flight tests, reaching supersonic speeds for the first time.

The top speed of the fighter has not been officially disclosed, however, it is expected to exceed Mach 2.

The PAK FA will replace the Russian Air Force’s MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters and will be deployed at Lipetsk Air Base.

The frame tests of the fighter will be completed in 2011-2012 before the Russian Ministry of Defence acquires a pilot batch of ten pre-production vehicles in 2013 for carrying out operational use testing.

The Russian Air Force requires 150 PAK FA aircraft, but the exact purchase amounts have not been disclosed.