The development of weapon systems for Russian advanced Т-50 (PAK FA) fighter is being carried out as planned and the flight testing with missile launching will be started “in the nearest future”, Lenta.ru reports.

It was declared by the CEO of Tactical Missiles Corporation (TMC), Boris Obnosov. However, he did not specify the exact starting date of the flight testing.

Some of the weapon systems intended for the advanced fighter are already undergoing testing on test-bed aircraft developed on the basis of other vehicles. According to Obnosov, the development of some of the new systems is coming to an end and the pre-production phase is already underway.

"The testing of other systems continues", - CEO of TMC.

At present three prototypes are taking part in the flight test program - Т-50-1, Т-50-2 and Т-50-3. T-50-4 will join them in 2012. It was reported earlier that the testing of “Product 30” engine intended for PAK FA will be started in 2014. It will power the later versions of the fighter, while the first vehicles will be powered by the AL-41F-1S (“Product 117”) engines, which are also used to power Su-35 aircraft.

T-50 performed its first docking with Il-78 tanker in late August. The testing of T-50 with new radar with an active phased antenna array is being carried out since August.

It was reported earlier that the testing of T-50’s airframe will be completed in 2012 and Russian air forces will acquire 10 jets in 2013 in order to carry out the joint testing. The first serial PAK FA fighter will be delivered to the air forces in 2015. MinistryofDefensehas60 T-50s on order.