On January 29, the first 5th generation multi-purpose stealth fighter Su-57 was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The following video was filmed at the airfield of the State Flight Test Center of the Ministry of Defence in Akhtubinsk. In accordance with the signed contracts, the Russian Aerospace Forces will receive at least 76 Su-57 fighter jets.

The Su-57 was designed in response to US F-22s and F-35s. It is designed specifically to produce a reduced radar cross-section, most commonly known as “stealth” due to shape, concealment of engines, synthetic materials, absorbent coating-paint etc. Weapons following the “stealth” philosophy are housed in two tandem main weapon bays between the engine nacelles and smaller bulged, triangular-section bays near the wing root.  

Also read: Moscow has begun building the first strategic stealth bomber

The 5th generation Russian aircraft carries a range of air-to-air missiles and anti-radiation missiles as well as supersonic weapons (i.e like Kh-47M2 Kinzhal) and state-of-the-art communication systems.

The aircraft will have an “OLS-50M” advanced infrared search and track (IRST) system – capable of detecting low E/M footprint targets – advanced data link, sophisticated electronic warfare/electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) system and electronic pilot assistance system (e-cockpit), featuring artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The missions that the aircraft will undertake will be both air superiority (i.e air-to-air-combat) and ground attack (i.e SEAD or CAS).

Technical characteristics: 

• Maximum take-off weight: 35 tons
• Length: 20.1 meters
• Wingspan: 14.1 meters 
• Height: 4.74 meters 
• Maximum speed: 2,120 km/h 
• Range: 3,500 km
• Engines: 2 x Saturn AL-41F1 or 2 x Izdelie 30 

The initial goal was to build at least 500 Su-57 aircraft. Of these, 250 are for the Russian Air Force (200 single-seater and 50 two-seater) and 250 are for the Indian Air Force (50 single-seater and 200 two-seater). Although final production will also depend on the economic situation of these countries, it is nevertheless considered that these figures will not decrease, especially with regard to Indian Air Force orders. 

In addition, although the aircraft is in the early stages of production, it has attracted the interest of other countries, such as Vietnam. The aircraft can potentially be exported to all countries that have advanced forms of SU-27, which are more than 10. 

Also read: 

https://defenceredefined.com.cy/air-vice-marshal-ret-gabriel-dimitriou-in-the-past-f-3