Sukhoi Su-57 Felon

Summary

Description

The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was originally part of the PAK FA (Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, or "Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces") program. The project aimed to replace aging Soviet-era jets like the Su-27 with a more advanced, stealth-capable fighter. Development formally began in the early 2000s, and the first prototype took its maiden flight on January 29, 2010. The Su-57 was intended to meet the Russian Air Force's requirements for agility, stealth, and advanced avionics, among other features. It became operational with the Russian military in 2019.

The development of the Su-57 was a long and complex process that spanned over a decade. One of the key objectives was to incorporate stealth technology, which was a significant departure from previous Russian fighter designs. This led to the use of radar-absorbent materials and a design that minimized right angles to reduce radar cross-section. Engineers also prioritized supercruise capability, allowing the aircraft to sustain supersonic speeds without afterburners, increasing its operational range and efficiency.

In terms of avionics, the Su-57 was equipped with a sophisticated suite that includes active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare systems, and a distributed network of sensors around the aircraft. This provided enhanced situational awareness, making it more capable in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

The aircraft also features a modular design to accommodate future upgrades and varying mission profiles. For instance, it has internal weapon bays for stealth missions but can also carry additional armaments externally when stealth is less critical. Another notable feature is its two AL-41F1 turbofan engines, designed for high thrust and maneuverability, with plans to upgrade to the more advanced Izdeliye 30 engines in the future.

The Su-57 underwent extensive testing and evaluation before it became operational. This involved various challenges, including delays and cost overruns. However, it eventually reached initial operating capability in 2019 and started to be deployed by the Russian Air Force, marking the culmination of years of research, development, and testing.

Armament

The Su-57 is equipped with an array of weapon systems designed for multirole capabilities. Its internal weapon bays can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions while maintaining a low radar cross-section for stealth operations. When stealth is not a primary concern, the aircraft can also carry additional armaments on its external hardpoints.

For air-to-air combat, the Su-57 can be armed with R-77 and R-73 missiles, among others. Future integration of the more advanced K-77M, with an AESA radar seeker, is also expected. The aircraft is also slated to carry new hypersonic missiles like the R-37M, which could potentially give it an edge in beyond-visual-range engagements.

In the air-to-ground role, the Su-57 can carry various types of precision-guided munitions, including the Kh-38 tactical ground missile and various configurations of guided bombs. It is also capable of carrying anti-ship missiles and has been touted as capable of carrying nuclear weapons, although details are scarce and often classified.

The Su-57 also features an internal 30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon for close-range aerial combat and strafing runs against ground targets.

Operational history

As of 2023, the Su-57's operational history has been relatively limited compared to other, more established fighter aircraft. The aircraft officially entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2019, but the numbers have been small, and its use has been mostly confined to testing and training missions.

One notable deployment was in Syria, where the Russian military sent a pair of Su-57s in late February 2018 for combat evaluation. The aircraft were stationed at the Khmeimim Air Base and reportedly conducted multiple flights. However, details about their actual combat engagements, if any, were not publicly disclosed. This brief deployment was largely seen as an opportunity for Russia to test the aircraft's capabilities in a real-world operational environment and possibly to demonstrate its advancements to potential foreign buyers.

The Su-57 has been a subject of interest for several countries, but no confirmed export contracts for the aircraft had been announced. India was initially involved in the project's development but eventually pulled out, citing various concerns, including costs and technological issues.

The Russian government has announced plans to procure more than 70 Su-57s by 2028, and it's likely that the aircraft will see more extensive operational deployment as more units are produced and as its systems continue to be upgraded and refined.

Variants

• Su-57: The original configuration of the aircraft, featuring AL-41F1 engines and a range of avionics and weapon systems designed for multirole capabilities.
• Su-57E: This is the export version of the Su-57, intended for sale to foreign governments. It's generally similar to the baseline model but may have differences based on export regulations and customer requirements.
• Su-57M: New Izdeliye 30 engines, that are expected to offer higher performance and efficiency compared to the current AL-41F1 engines. Still under testing.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Russia	1 (+75)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Russia

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Short-Range Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
• Air-to-Air Medium-Range Vympel R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder)
• Hypersonic Air-to-Surface Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (AS-24 Killjoy)

Photo of Su-57 Felon

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