Russia to build world’s first fifth-generation combat, invisible helicopter

MOSCOW - Russia is planning to build the world’s first fifth-generation combat helicopter which would be able to attack fighter jets and be invisible to radars, analysts have said

“We are working on the concept of the fifth-generation combat helicopter,” Russian daily Gazeta quoted Russian Helicopters CEO, Andrei Shibitov, as saying.

Shibitov did not specify the characteristics of the helicopter, but said the company was going to spend some one billion dollars on the project, with more investment expected to be allocated from the state budget.

First deputy head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Problems, Konstantin Sivkov, told the paper that fifth-generation combat helicopters have never been created before, although the US recently began working on a similar project.

He said criteria for a fifth-generation combat helicopter are that it must be radar invisible, have an extended flying range, be equipped with an intellectual arms control system, be able to combat fighter jets (existing helicopters are generally only intended to hit ground-based targets) and reach a speed of up to 500-600 km/h (310-370 mph).

The project cannot proceed, however, unless the government backs it.

“If the government does not sign a contract, the idea will die on the vine,” head of the Russian Academy of Geopolitical Problems Leonid Ivashov told Gazeta.

Ivashov said that with sufficient investment and good organization the new helicopter could be built within five years. Otherwise, the project may drag on for 20-30 years. (ANI)