Evolution of Airframe Materials for Russian Fighters

Abstract

Fighter aircraft make extensive use of materials such as Steels, Aluminum alloys, Magnesium alloys, Titanium alloys and composites for construction of airframe. It has been seen that many of the airframe materials used in Russian fighters are common. But attempt has been made to introduce progressively superior quality alloy grades in the later version of aircraft. A comprehensive study (1) is thus made to identify the important structural member of the airframe and its materials in different generations of the Russian fighters to highlight the ways lighter and superior alloys replaced steels. This paper describes the application of various aerospace materials used from the evolution of old generation Russian combat fighters to latest Russian fighters. Effort have been made to analyse and explain the change of some of the grades within the domain of these Russian fighters and use of superior structural materials (western and Russian origin) to old age aircraft to enhance the performance. It also discusses the percentage weight change of various types of materials used in the construction of Russian fighter aircrafts under operation in India. Main objective of this study which is discussed here, to keep aware the operators as well as manufacturer’s of Russian aircrafts within India to exchange these Russian materials during rationalization, substitution, indigenization and at a times of short supply or non-availability of these grades based on their merits.