Summary and Key Points: Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed to compete with America’s F-22 and F-35.
-Developed under the PAK FA program, the Su-57 features advanced stealth design, supermaneuverability, and sophisticated avionics.
-It can perform air superiority missions, ground attacks, and reconnaissance, and has been tested in combat environments in Syria and Ukraine.
-Despite impressive capabilities, Russia struggles with production issues, especially related to engine manufacturing, economic strain from ongoing conflict, and limited stealth expertise.
-While capable, Russia’s slow industrial output severely limits Su-57 deployment, making the fighter’s future effectiveness dependent on resolving significant manufacturing and economic challenges.
Inside Russia’s Su-57: Stealth Fighter or Production Nightmare?
China and the United States have created firm and integrated fifth-generation fighter fleets. Russia, on the other hand, is still playing catchup in that regard. Simultaneously overrated and overhated, the Felon, also known by its NATO reporting name “Felon,” is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation.
Designed to compete with the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, the Su-57 certainly has a herculean task ahead of itself. While it is more or less a fine aircraft, Russia’s industrial base is far from ready to mass-produce the stealth jet to the desired levels.
From T-50 to Su-57
The development of the Su-57 began in the early 2000s under the PAK FA (Prospective Aviation Complex of Frontline Aviation) program, which aimed to create a next-generation fighter to replace the aging fleet of Soviet-era aircraft.
The prototype, designated T-50, made its maiden flight on January 29, 2010. Over the next decade, the aircraft underwent extensive testing and refinement, with several prototypes being built and flown.
The Felon faced numerous challenges during its development, including technical issues, budget constraints, and international sanctions. Despite these hurdles, the Russian government remained committed to the project.
In 2019, the first production model of the Su-57 was delivered to the Russian Air Force, marking a significant milestone in the program. In 2022, 12 aircraft were delivered to the RuAF, with another 20 supposedly delivered in 2024, though it is unlikely that many were delivered.
Design and Features
The Su-57 boasts a sleek, stealthy design characterized by its angular lines, blended wing-body configuration, and internal weapons bays. These features contribute to its low radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy radar systems to detect and track the aircraft—though experts have doubts about its stealthy capabilities. Advanced composite materials further enhance its stealth capabilities while reducing weight and increasing durability.
One of the Su-57’s most notable aspects is its supermaneuverability, achieved through a combination of thrust-vectoring engines and an advanced aerodynamic design. This streamlined design allows the aircraft to perform complex maneuvers, such as the Pugachev’s Cobra and the Kulbit, which can be crucial in dogfight scenarios.
The Felon is powered by two Saturn Izdeliye 30 engines, which provide a top speed of Mach 2 and a range of approximately 3,500 kilometers.
The Su-57’s cockpit has state-of-the-art avionics and a glass cockpit layout featuring large multifunction displays and a heads-up display (HUD). The pilot is supported by an advanced flight control system and an array of sensors, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track (IRST) system, and electronic warfare (EW) suite. These systems provide the pilot with comprehensive situational awareness and enable the Su-57 to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Armament and Capabilities
The Felon is designed to carry a wide range of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-ship missiles and precision-guided bombs. Its internal weapons bays can house up to four R-77 or R-74 air-to-air missiles, while additional hardpoints on the wings allow for the carriage of larger munitions. The aircraft also has a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon for close-range engagements.
In addition to its impressive arsenal, the Su-57 can perform various missions, including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Its advanced avionics and sensor suite enable it to operate in contested environments and rapidly engage aerial and ground-based threats.
The Su-57’s stealth capabilities also allow it to penetrate enemy air defenses and conduct strikes with minimal risk of detection.
The Su-57 Biggest Enemy: Russian Manufacturing
Production on the Su-57 has been slow for various reasons. Russia’s manufacturing industry is one of them. As Russia’s first stealth fighter, Russia had no prior infrastructure or industry familiar with stealth technology, making fighter assembly a slow and complex process.
The Felon is also considerably more expensive than any other Russian fighter. At $35 million per aircraft, it is significantly cheaper than any American jets but is still more expensive than other jets like the Su-35. With Russia in the midst of an ongoing war, Russia’s economy has been strained from various angles, further complicating Su-57 production.
Additionally, the Su-57’s engines have proven to be a significant bottleneck in the manufacturing process. With constant tweaks to the thrust-vectoring nozzles and the overall sophistication of the devices, manufacturing these engines has proven to be quite the challenge for Russia.
Is the Su-57 the Most Combat-Tested Fifth Generation Fighter?
Since its introduction, the Su-57 has seen limited operational use, with the Russian Air Force primarily focusing on testing and evaluation. However, the aircraft has participated in several high-profile exercises and demonstrations, showcasing its capabilities to domestic and international audiences.
In 2018, the Felon was deployed to Syria for combat trials, where it reportedly conducted strikes against terrorist targets and gathered valuable data on its performance in a real-world combat environment.
Multiple sources have also claimed that the Su-57 has been used in Ukraine to carry out strikes and other missions, with Russian sources claiming that it scored air-to-air kills already (although there is no proof of such claims). Most notably and most fascinatingly, the Su-57 shot down an out-of-control S-70 stealth drone designed to operate alongside the Felon.
The incident happened some 10 miles behind Ukrainian lines, potentially demonstrating the Su-57’s ability to fly in enemy territory unnoticed.
Conclusion
The Su-57 has been the subject of many hit pieces in the West, with some going as far as to say the Felon isn’t a fifth-generation fighter. I think such criticisms are honestly a bit silly.
While not as technologically sophisticated as its American counterparts, the Su-57 is a fine aircraft in its own right and is definitely a force to be reckoned with. However, with Russia’s slow manufacturing base, there aren’t many Felons to reckon with in the first place. If the Su-57 Felon is to become the staple of Russia’s air force, then the Russians need to get their industrial base in order.
Su-57 Felon: A Story in Photos
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter.
Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter. Image: Creative Commons.
AL-41F1 engine compressor stall at MAKS-2011.
Su-57. Image: Creative Commons.
Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
