![]() ![]() But other details have been ascertained and corroborated by multiple sources. Nobody knows for sure exactly what kind of avionics the Su-57 carries. The Russian Air Force plans on installing a new power plant because the current Saturn AL-41F1’s aren’t without defects and this poses an unacceptable risk to their precious “fifth-generation” fighter jet. Yet its engine type is an unforeseen problem for the Su-57. Its operational range with its two Saturn AL-41F1 engines, the same as an Su-30 or Su-35, is 5,500 kilometers. The Su-57 is reported to have almost equal flight performance to the F-22, with a cruising speed of Mach 2 and a maximum speed at Mach 2.8. This is why it’s deemed superior to most fourth-generation models, which are the best Europe and Asia can muster against it until the F-35A proliferates in the 2020s. each of the Su-57’s Saturn engines have thrust vectoring nozzles that allow it to execute twists and turns impossible for most fighter aircraft. Hence the heated emphasis on its maneuverability, e.g. ![]() Like other Russian fighters before it the Su-57 was built to hunt for and then close in on targets. So maybe it’s better to call it a 4++ fighter? ![]() When American writers assess the Su-57’s limited stealth characteristics they often conclude it’s inferior to the Raptor and the Lightning. There’s even a growing consensus the Su-57 doesn’t make the cut as a fifth-generation twin engine fighter. Russian media claimed its radar cross section is infinitesimal compared to the well-known Su-27/30/35 yet never elaborated whether it was on par with American stealth.īut as more and more scrutiny was directed at the Su-57’s prototypes it became apparent the plane wasn’t as cool as the Russians hyped it. Its airframe was laid out to diminish the radar cross section, hence the appearance of being a “flattened” Su-30. It’s obvious the PAK FA from 2010 until 2017 had the familiar characteristics of the Sukhoi Design Bureau’s third-generation models but with a few key differences. China is developing another twin engine stealth fighter, the J-31. The Chengdu J-20 is believed to have entered low rate production. The aircraft then called the PAK FA T-50 was hailed as more than equal to the F-22 even if it wasn’t in production yet. Reports of a joint venture with India for co-production was announced soon after. But its original designation stems from a program called, in English, the Perspective Aviation Complex of Frontline Aviation, or PAK FA.Ī prototype of a new Sukhoi fighter with stealth characteristics–having a fuselage made of composite materials coated in radar absorbent paint–was ready by the 2000s and in 2010 Russian media publicized its maiden flight, referring to it as the T-50. There isn’t clear proof if it was first conceived in the waning Gorbachev years or during the troubled 1990s when numerous military programs went fallow for lack of money. Like many cutting edge Russian weapon systems in the Putin era, the Su-57’s beginnings are rather murky. The PAK FA or Su-57’s existence is less controversial although its brief history has its fair share of wrinkles. Its airframe, for example, bears a strong resemblance to the experimental Soviet-era MiG 1.44 and there’s a consensus much of its technology is either borrowed from Russia or stolen from the US. Intense scrutiny of its rare public appearances has brought to light some startling facts. The J-20 is considered a peer of the F-22 Raptor flown by the US Air Force (USAF) but this can be debatable. A trio of J-20’s even conducted a flyover during a military parade in Inner Mongolia attended by President Xi Jinping. News of the Su-57’s debut comes barely six months after the Chinese J-20 was reported to have entered service with the PLAAF. To mark the Su-57’s arrival Tass published an interactive web page explaining its capabilities. How many Su-57’s will be built wasn’t revealed but a few years ago Russian officials boasted up to 200 single seat stealth fighters could boost the air force by 2020. According to Colonel General Victor Bondarev the PAK FA now has the “serial name” Su-57 and pilot training for it begins once it’s adopted by the air force. This week news agency Tass quoted an air force general who revealed the first planes will be delivered in 2018. Russia will soon join the very exclusive stealth club with the imminent arrival of its own fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57. ![]()
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