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Su-57. Specifications. A photo.

Su-57. Specifications. A photo.

The Su-57 (Sukhoi Su-57) is a fifth-generation Russian fighter developed under the PAK FA program (Promising Frontline Aviation Complex). It is the first Russian fifth-generation fighter, and a platform for creating next-generation combat aircraft.

The history of the Su-57

The development of the Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighter began in mid-2001. As a base, Soviet developments on the fourth-generation Su-27 fighter, as well as on closed projects of the MiG-1.44 and Su-47 Berkut fighters, were used. In 2024, the first layout of the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57 was created, which subsequently underwent a number of changes.

The first flight tests of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter were supposed to take place in 2006-2007, but due to problems with the development of a combat aircraft, the first flight took place only in January 2010. The fifth-generation Su-57 fighter entered mass production in 2019, however, at the end of 2021, only 4 fighters were built, one of which crashed as part of factory tests.

The first fifth-generation Su-57 fighter entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces at the end of 2020.

Until 2027, it is planned to transfer 76 fifth-generation Su-57 fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The cost of one Russian Su-57 fighter for the needs of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation amounted to 30 million dollars, however. the estimated cost for foreign buyers is about 100-120 million dollars.

Design features of the Su-57

Due to the fact that the Su-57 fighter is the first Russian fifth-generation fighter, most of the information about its systems is classified. However, when creating the aircraft, the possibility of interaction between the fighter's systems and other systems and aircraft was taken into account, including interaction with Su-35S fighters, S-70 Okhotnik strike drones, AWACS aircraft, etc.

The cockpit of the Su-57 fighter is single, however, one of the options for modification provides for the presence of two seats.

The Su-57 fighter has an integrated airframe, made according to the normal aerodynamic configuration. The engines have adjustable ventral air intakes. The engine nacelles are widely spaced and separated by a flat bottom of the fuselage with a width of about 1,3-1,4 m.

Due to the design features of the fuselage, the fighter can carry a large amount of weapons, while some of the missiles can be hidden inside the fuselage compartments, which should ensure less radar visibility of the combat aircraft during special missions.

The shape of the Su-57 airframe was determined by the visibility reduction technologies used in its design, however, the design has a number of weaknesses, and on some elements, the presence of propellers can affect the increase in the radar visibility of the fighter.

The basic version of the Su-57 fighter is equipped with AL-41F1 engines, which are the engines of the first stage. Starting from 2025, it is planned to install engines of the second stage, passing under the name "Product 30". New engines will have to reduce the visibility of the fighter, increase its maneuverability and speed.

Armament of the Su-57 fighter

The fifth-generation Su-57 fighter is equipped with the 9-A1-4071K aircraft gun, which is an upgraded version of the 30 mm GSh-30-1 aircraft gun.

The fighter has 10 internal hardpoints for guided and unguided weapons, and 8 external hardpoints for guided and unguided weapons.

Among the missile weapons of the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57 there are missiles:

  • RVV-MD - short-range air-to-air guided missile;
  • RVV-SD - medium-range air-to-air guided missile;
  • RVV-BD (R-37M) - long-range air-to-air guided missile;
  • X-38 - short-range air-to-surface guided missile;
  • Kh-58UShK - a long-range air-to-surface guided missile designed to destroy radar stations, air defense systems, etc.
  • X-59MK - long-range air-to-surface guided missile.

Among the missile weapons of the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57 there are bombs:

  • CAB-250 - low-power aviation adjustable bomb;
  • CAB-500 - aviation corrected bomb of medium power;
  • CAB-1500 - aviation adjustable bomb of high power.

In the future, the possibility of equipping the Su-57 fighter with hypersonic air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles is being considered.

Initially, India planned to become the largest buyer of Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighters, but after the development of this aircraft was completed, it refused, stating that the fighter does not belong to fifth-generation combat aircraft and does not meet the declared characteristics. the same opinion is shared in China.

Combat use of the Su-57 fighter

According to official data, the Su-57 fighter was used in battles in Syria, used to destroy ground targets and militant facilities.

This is also confirmed by satellite images. Among other things. there are allegations that the fifth generation fighter Cu-57 was also used on the territory of Ukraine to participate in the so-called. SVO, but there is no documentary evidence of this.

Technical characteristics of the Su-57 fighter

Modification

  Su-57

Wingspan, m

  14.0

Aircraft Length m

  19.40

Aircraft height

  4.8

Takeoff weight, kg

 

  normal

  30610

  maximum

  35500

engine's type

  2 turbofan engines (AL-41F1)

Link unforced, kgf

  X 2 9500

Maximum speed km / h

 

  at an altitude of 11000 m, km / h

  3000 (M = 2.45)

  at sea level, km/h

  2500

Practical range, km

  4300

Combat range, km

 

Practical ceiling, m

  20000

Max. operation overload

  11

Crew

  1

 

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