FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX: Everything You Need to Know About the Flight Simulator Add-on
FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX: A Review of the Russian Stealth Fighter Add-on for Flight Simulator X
If you are a fan of modern military aviation and flight simulation games, you may have heard of FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX. This is a flight simulator add-on that features the Russian stealth fighter jet Sukhoi T-50 (also known as Su-57 or PAK FA). The add-on allows you to fly this advanced aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), one of the most popular flight simulation platforms in the world.
FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX
In this article, we will review this add-on in detail. We will cover its features, specifications, performance, comparison with other fighter jets, installation guide, user manual tips and tricks, and end with a conclusion and FAQs. We will also compare the add-on with some of its competitors, such as the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II, and the Chengdu J-20. If you are interested in flying the Sukhoi T-50 in FSX, this article is for you.
What is the Sukhoi T-50?
The Sukhoi T-50 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by Russia as a successor to the Su-27 Flanker and a rival to the American F-22 and F-35. The T-50 is also known as the Su-57 or the PAK FA (Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, meaning Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation).
The T-50 made its first flight in 2010 and is expected to enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2023. The T-50 is designed to perform air superiority, interdiction, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence missions. It features a delta-wing-canard configuration, twin engines with thrust vectoring, stealth technology, supercruise capability, advanced avionics, and a variety of weapons.
The T-50 has a length of 22 m (72 ft), a wingspan of 14.2 m (46.6 ft), and a height of 6.1 m (20 ft). It has an empty weight of 18.5 t (40,785 lb), a maximum takeoff weight of 37 t (81,571 lb), and a payload of 10 t (22,046 lb). It can carry up to six air-to-air missiles or four air-to-surface missiles internally, as well as additional weapons externally if stealth is not required.
The T-50 is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1 engines, each producing 147 kN (33,067 lbf) of dry thrust and 176 kN (39,566 lbf) of afterburning thrust. The engines allow the T-50 to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2 (2,600 km/h or 1,616 mph) at high altitude and Mach 1.6 (1,700 km/h or 1,056 mph) at low altitude. The T-50 can also supercruise at Mach 1.3 (1,700 km/h or 1,056 mph) without using afterburners. The T-50 has a range of 3,500 km (2,175 mi) on internal fuel and 5,500 km (3,417 mi) with external fuel tanks. The T-50 has a service ceiling of 20 km (65,617 ft) and a maximum g-load of 9 g.
The T-50 is equipped with an AESA radar called N036 Byelka (Squirrel), which consists of three X-band arrays on the nose and two L-band arrays on the wing edges. The radar can track up to 60 targets and engage up to 16 targets simultaneously. The T-50 also has an infrared search and track system called OLS-50M, which can detect and track targets up to 90 km (56 mi) away. The T-50 also has an electronic warfare system called L402 Himalayas, which can jam enemy radars and missiles.
What is FLYFREESTD?
FLYFREESTD is a developer of flight simulator add-ons that specializes in military aircraft. FLYFREESTD has produced several products for FSX and P3D, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the MiG-29 Fulcrum, the MiG-21 Fishbed, the Su-27 Flanker, the Su-33 Flanker-D, the Su-35 Flanker-E, the MiG-31 Foxhound, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, and the Sukhoi T-50.
FLYFREESTD aims to create realistic and detailed models of aircraft with high-quality textures, animations, sounds, effects, flight dynamics, and systems. FLYFREESTD also provides user manuals and installation guides for its products.
What does the add-on offer?
Aircraft models and textures
The FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX add-on offers four variants of the Sukhoi T-50: the T-50 prototype with grey livery; the T-50 prototype with blue livery; the Su-57 production model with grey livery; and the Su-57 production model with blue livery. Each variant has different features and specifications according to its development stage The add-on features high-resolution textures and realistic 3D models of the aircraft, with accurate shapes, proportions, and details. The add-on also includes various liveries and markings for the aircraft, such as Russian Air Force, Russian Navy, Indian Air Force, and fictional ones. The add-on also features realistic animations for the aircraft, such as landing gear, flaps, slats, ailerons, elevators, rudders, canards, air brakes, thrust vectoring nozzles, canopy, cockpit controls, ejection seat, and weapons bay doors.
Cockpit and avionics
The add-on features a fully functional and interactive virtual cockpit for the Sukhoi T-50, with high-quality textures and 3D gauges. The cockpit replicates the layout and design of the real aircraft's cockpit, with two large multifunction displays (MFDs), a head-up display (HUD), a wide-angle holographic display (WAD), a helmet-mounted display (HMD), and various switches, knobs, buttons, and levers. The cockpit also features a working radar system, a navigation system, a communication system, a weapon control system, a flight control system, an engine control system, a fuel system, an electrical system, a hydraulic system, an environmental control system, and a fire protection system. The cockpit also features realistic sounds and effects for the cockpit environment and systems.
Weapons and payload
The add-on features a realistic and customizable weapons configuration and loadout for the Sukhoi T-50. The add-on allows you to choose from various types of weapons to equip your aircraft with, such as air-to-air missiles (AAMs), air-to-surface missiles (ASMs), anti-ship missiles (AShMs), anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), guided bombs (GBs), unguided bombs (UBs), rockets (RKTs), gun pods (GPs), fuel tanks (FTs), and electronic countermeasure pods (ECMPs). The add-on also allows you to choose whether to carry the weapons internally or externally on the aircraft's hardpoints. The add-on also features realistic weapons effects and sounds for the weapons launch, flight, impact, and explosion.
Sound and effects
The add-on features a realistic and immersive soundset for the Sukhoi T-50. The add-on features high-quality sounds for the engine start-up, idle, spool-up, afterburner, shutdown , and other modes. The add-on also features high-quality sounds for the cockpit environment, systems, alarms, warnings, and voice messages. The add-on also features high-quality sounds for the weapons launch, flight, impact, and explosion. The add-on also features realistic sound effects for the wind, airflow, sonic boom, and other phenomena.
Flight dynamics and performance
The add-on features a realistic and accurate flight model and aerodynamics for the Sukhoi T-50. The add-on simulates the aircraft's weight, balance, drag, lift, thrust, fuel consumption, stability, control, and maneuverability. The add-on also simulates the aircraft's thrust vectoring system, which allows the aircraft to perform various advanced maneuvers such as the cobra, the kulbit, the frolov chakra, and the bell. The add-on also simulates the aircraft's stealth characteristics, which reduce its radar cross-section and infrared signature. The add-on also simulates the aircraft's supercruise capability, which allows it to fly at supersonic speeds without using afterburners.
How does it compare to other fighter jets?
F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by the United States as a successor to the F-15 Eagle and a rival to the Sukhoi T-50. The F-22 made its first flight in 1997 and entered service with the US Air Force in 2005. The F-22 is designed to perform air superiority, interdiction, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions. It features a swept-wing configuration, twin engines with thrust vectoring, stealth technology, supercruise capability, advanced avionics, and a variety of weapons.
The F-22 has a length of 18.9 m (62 ft), a wingspan of 13.6 m (44.5 ft), and a height of 5.1 m (16.7 ft). It has an empty weight of 19.7 t (43,340 lb), a maximum takeoff weight of 38 t (83,500 lb), and a payload of 8.2 t (18,000 lb). It can carry up to six AAMs or two ASMs internally, as well as additional weapons externally if stealth is not required.
The F-22 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119 engines, each producing 156 kN (35,000 lbf) of dry thrust and 178 kN (40,000 lbf) of afterburning thrust. The engines allow the F-22 to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2.25 (2,410 km/h or 1,500 mph) at high altitude and Mach 1.82 (1,960 km/h or 1,220 mph) at low altitude. The F-22 can also supercruise at Mach 1.8 (1,960 km/h or 1,220 mph) without using afterburners. The F-22 has a range of 2,960 km (1,840 mi) on internal fuel and 4,760 km (2,960 mi) with external fuel tanks. The F-22 has a service ceiling of 20 km (65 ,000 ft) and a maximum g-load of 9 g.
The F-22 is equipped with an AESA radar called AN/APG-77, which consists of a single X-band array on the nose. The radar can track up to 60 targets and engage up to 20 targets simultaneously. The F-22 also has an infrared search and track system called AN/AAR-56, which can detect and track targets up to 160 km (100 mi) away. The F-22 also has an electronic warfare system called AN/ALR-94, which can jam enemy radars and missiles.
The F-22 and the T-50 are both stealthy, agile, and fast fighter jets, but they have some differences in their design, capabilities, and performance. The F-22 has a smaller radar cross-section than the T-50, making it harder to detect by enemy radars. The F-22 also has a longer range and a higher service ceiling than the T-50, giving it an advantage in endurance and altitude. However, the T-50 has a higher maximum speed and a larger payload than the F-22, giving it an advantage in speed and firepower. The T-50 also has a more advanced thrust vectoring system than the F-22, giving it an advantage in maneuverability and stability.
F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter jet developed by the United States as a successor to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and a complement to the F-22 Raptor. The F-35 made its first flight in 2006 and entered service with the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in 2015. The F-35 is designed to perform air superiority, interdiction, close air support, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions. It features a single-engine configuration, stealth technology, supercruise capability, advanced avionics, and a variety of weapons.
The F-35 has three variants: the F-35A for conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), the F-35B for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL), and the F-35C for carrier-based operations (CV). The F-35A has a length of 15.7 m (51.4 ft), a wingspan of 10.7 m (35 ft), and a height of 4.4 m (14.4 ft). It has an empty weight of 13.3 t (29,300 lb), a maximum takeoff weight of 31.8 t (70,000 lb), and a payload of 8.2 t (18,000 lb). It can carry up to four AAMs or two ASMs internally, as well as additional weapons externally if stealth is not required.
The F-35 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, producing 125 kN (28,000 lbf) of dry thrust and 191 kN (43,000 lbf) of afterburning thrust. The engine allows the F-35 to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (1,930 km/h or 1,200 mph) at high altitude and Mach 1.2 (1,470 km/h or 915 mph) at low altitude. The F-35 can also supercruise at Mach 1.2 (1 ,470 km/h or 915 mph) without using afterburners. The F-35 has a range of 2,220 km (1,380 mi) on internal fuel and 4,480 km (2,785 mi) with external fuel tanks. The F-35 has a service ceiling of 15.2 km (50,000 ft) and a maximum g-load of 9 g.
The F-35 is equipped with an AESA radar called AN/APG-81, which consists of a single X-band array on the nose. The radar can track up to 60 targets and engage up to 20 targets simultaneously. The F-35 also has an electro-optical targeting system called AN/AAQ-37, which consists of six infrared cameras distributed around the aircraft. The system can detect and track targets up to 130 km (80 mi) away. The F-35 also has an electronic warfare system called AN/ASQ-239, which can jam enemy radars and missiles.
The F-35 and the T-50 are both stealthy, versatile, and multirole fighter jets, but they have some differences in their design, capabilities, and performance. The F-35 has a smaller radar cross-section than the T-50, making it harder to detect by enemy radars. The F-35 also has a higher supercruise speed and a lower fuel consumption than the T-50, giving it an advantage in efficiency and stealth. However, the T-50 has a higher maximum speed and a larger payload than the F-35, giving it an advantage in speed and firepower. The T-50 also has a more advanced thrust vectoring system than the F-35, giving it an advantage in maneuverability and stability.
Chengdu J-20
The Chengdu J-20 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by China as a rival to the F-22 and the T-50. The J-20 made its first flight in 2011 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2017. The J-20 is designed to perform air superiority, interdiction, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence missions. It features a canard-delta-wing configuration, twin engines with thrust vectoring, stealth technology, supercruise capability, advanced avionics, and a variety of weapons.
The J-20 has a length of 20.4 m (66.8 ft), a wingspan of 13.5 m (44.2 ft), and a height of 4.5 m (14.8 ft). It has an empty weight of 19.4 t (42,770 lb), a maximum takeoff weight of 36.3 t (80,030 lb), and a payload of 6 t (13,228 lb). It can carry up to six AAMs or four ASMs internally, as well as additional weapons externally if stealth is not required.
The J-20 is powered by two WS-10B engines, each producing 130 kN (29,000 lbf) of dry thrust and 180 kN (40,000 lbf) of afterburning thrust. The engines allow the J-20 to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2 (2 ,600 km/h or 1,616 mph) at high altitude and Mach 1.2 (1,470 km/h or 915 mph) at low altitude. The J-20 can also supercruise at Mach 1.4 (1,815 km/h or 1,128 mph) without using afterburners. The J-20 has a range of 3,400 km (2,113 mi) on internal fuel and 6,000 km (3,728 mi) with external fuel tanks. The J-20 has a service ceiling of 20 km (65,617 ft) and a maximum g-load of 9 g.
The J-20 is equipped with an AESA radar called KLJ-5, which consists of a single X-band array on the nose and two S-band arrays on the sides. The radar can track up to 60 targets and engage up to 20 targets simultaneously. The J-20 also has an infrared search and track system called EOTS-86, which can detect and track targets up to 110 km (68 mi) away. The J-20 also has an electronic warfare system called KG600, which can jam enemy radars and missiles.
The J-20 and the T-50 are both stealthy, fast, and powerful fighter jets, but they have some differences in their design, capabilities, and performance. The J-20 has a larger radar cross-section than the T-50, making it easier to detect by enemy radars. The J-20 also has a lower supercruise speed and a higher fuel consumption than the T-50, giving it a disadvantage in efficiency and stealth. However, the J-20 has a longer range and a higher service ceiling than the T-50, giving it an advantage in endurance and altitude. The J-20 also has a more advanced radar system than the T-50, giving it an advantage in situational awareness and target acquisition.
How to install and use the add-on?
Installation instructions
To install the FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX add-on, you need to have Microsoft Flight Simulator X installed on your computer. You also need to have enough disk space to accommodate the add-on files, which are about 1 GB in size. You can download the add-on from the FLYFREESTD website or from other online stores that sell flight simulator products. Once you have downloaded the add-on file, you need to follow these steps:
Unzip the file to a temporary folder on your computer.
Run the setup.exe file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the destination folder for the add-on files, which should be the same as your FSX main folder.
Enter your product key when prompted. You can find your product key in your purchase confirmation email or on your online account.
Wait for the installation process to complete.
Launch FSX and enjoy flying the Sukhoi T-50.
User manual
The FLYFREESTD - SUKHOI T-50 FSX add-on comes with a user manual that explains how to operate the aircraft systems, controls, and weapons. You can find the user manual in PDF format in your FSX main folder under FLYFREESTD/SUKHOI T-50 FSX/Documentation. The user manual covers topics such as:
The cockpit layout and instruments
The MFD modes and functions
The HUD modes and symbology
The WAD modes and functions
The HMD modes and functions
The radar modes and functions
The navigation modes and functions
The communication modes and functions
The weapon modes and functions
The flight control modes and functions
The engine control modes and functions
The fuel modes and functions
The electrical modes and functions
The hydraulic modes and functions
The environmental control modes and functions
The fire protection modes and functions
The emergency procedures
Tips and tricks
Here are some useful tips and tricks on how to fly the Sukhoi T-50 effectively and enjoyably in FSX:
To start the engines, you need to press Ctrl+E on your keyboard or click on the engine start switch on the cockpit panel. To shut down the engines, you need to press Shift+Ctrl+F1 on your keyboard or click on the engine stop switch on the cockpit panel.
To activate the thrust vectoring system , you need to press Shift+T on your keyboard or click on the TVC switch on the cockpit panel. To deactivate the thrust vectoring system, you need to press Shift+T again or click on the TVC switch again. The thrust vectoring system allows you to change the direction of the engine nozzles and perform various advanced maneuvers.
To use the weapons, you need to press Shift+W on your keyboard or click on the master arm switch on the cockpit panel. To select a weapon, you need to press W on your keyboard or click on the weapon select switch on the cockpit panel. To fire a weapon, you need to press Spacebar on your keyboard or click on the weapon release button on the joystick. To cycle through the targets, you need to press T on your keyboard or click on the target select button on the joystick.
To use the radar, you need to press Shift+R on your keyboard or click on the radar power switch on the cockpit panel. To change the radar mode, you need to press R on your keyboard or click on the radar mode switch on the cockpit panel. To change the radar range, you need to press + or - on your keyboard or click on the radar range knob on the cockpit panel. To lock a target, you need to press Enter on your keyboard or click on the radar lock button on the joystick.
To use the navigation system, you need to press Shift+N on your keyboard or click on the navigation power switch on the cockpit panel. To change the navigation mode, you need to press N on your ke
