Over the years camouflage has taken on some wildly interesting color schemes. However, in the last few days observers near Russia’s Zhukovshy airbase have been treated to a rather stylish aircraft paint job. Inspired by the Red Sea’s White Tip Longimanus Shark, Russia’s fifth generation fighter is sporting a two-tone body that transitions organically from teal to dark black.
Designed to be the successor to the MiG-29 and Su-27, the $8 billion PAK-FA will be Russia’s first stealth aircraft. Capable of reaching Mach 2+, the aircraft will have service ceiling of 20,000 m (65,000 ft) and carry a vast array of armament ranging from precision guided bombs to supersonic cruise missile like the BrahMos. According to Russian military plans the PAK-FA will have a service life somewhere between 30-35 years beginning in 2016.
Image Courtesy of Defense Aviation