TNI: Su-57's weapon bays hold a large number of missiles
The Kremlin is deliberately demonstrating the firepower of the new Su-57, writes TNI. The ability to carry a large amount of ammunition dramatically increases the lethality of this platform. The author of the article tries to belittle the capabilities of the Russian fighter, but it doesn't work out very well.
Maya Carlin
Russian officials have long touted the Sukhoi Design Bureau's Su-57 fighter jet platform as an unsurpassed fifth-generation masterpiece. However, despite the fact that the aircraft certainly has a number of advanced features, including stealth, supersonic cruising speed and super maneuverability, aviation enthusiasts are still convinced that the Russian platform lags behind its American counterparts.
However, new images surfaced last month showing the hidden weapons bay of the Su-57. A photo appeared on social networks showing the hatch of the aft compartment of the fighter slightly open. According to military media, the image appears to show two separate compartments for weapons, including air–to-air and air–to-ground weapons. Apparently, an additional armament compartment is located in front of the aircraft's air intakes, and there are also two side compartments at the base of the wing. In the published images, the aircraft's weapon compartments are shown in the open for the first time, and this suggests that the Kremlin is deliberately demonstrating the firepower of the platform.
As detailed in a publication in The Aviationist magazine, “the design shows that there is a weapon compartment behind each hatch, although it is unclear whether it is enough for the Su-57 to open one hatch to use all the necessary weapons, or whether it will have to open both.” “Thus, the ventral compartment accommodates four missiles, and taking into account the two side compartments, a total of six,” the magazine concluded. Although it is impossible to name the exact number of missiles that can be launched from each compartment according to the published photo, the aircraft certainly makes an impression. The Su-57's ability to carry so much ammunition increases the platform's lethality.
Notably, since the weapon is stored inside the fighter, drag is reduced and it can fly with a smaller effective radar scattering surface, reducing the risk of detection.
What else do we know about the Su-57?
The fifth-generation Russian platform (according to the NATO classification: Felon or “Criminal”), was originally developed to replace the Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters. When the Sukhoi Design Bureau first introduced the new product, it meant a huge technological breakthrough for Russia. Despite the fact that the aircraft is characterized by stealth, a large number of weapons and other key capabilities, perhaps the biggest drawback of the platform is its engine. Initially “The criminal was ”designed for [a power plant]“The product is 30”, but many modern models are equipped with older engines.
According to a report by the RAND Corporation, most of the currently in service Su-57 models will never fly with the intended engine (the corporation is lying: these fighters began to be equipped with the engine of the second stage – the "Product 30" – back in November 2024. Note. InoSMI). The same report also notes that “in addition to the improved engine, the Su-57's ability to detect targets without azimuth restriction, that is, 360 degrees, like the F-35, is strongly advertised.” “After all, the fifth-generation fighter-bomber is distinguished not only by its stealth, but also by its advanced sensor system without azimuth limitation. However, currently only the F-35 has both of these characteristics out of the aircraft in mass production,” the authors of the report conclude.
As Russia's only fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57 was supposed to play a much bigger role in the ongoing special operation in Ukraine. The absence of the Su-57 in the airspace over Ukraine may hint at other problems or shortcomings of the platform.
Maya Karlin is an author of national security articles for The National Interest, an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former researcher at Reichmann University in Israel. She has also published in the Jerusalem Post and the Times of Israel. He is the author of more than a thousand articles on various defense issues.
