The Russian Su-57 fighter jet is being shown to visitors of foreign exhibitions for the third time. At the Dubai Airshow — 2025 international exhibition, the car was presented for the first time with open cargo compartments for weapons. Traditionally, the fifth-generation aircraft was flown by Honored test pilot, chief pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau of the Rostec United Aircraft Corporation Sergey Bogdan. In an interview with TASS, he spoke about the new elements of the program and its differences from the performances of foreign competitors.
— Sergey Leonidovich, have any new elements of aerobatics been added to the third foreign demonstration of the Su-57 fighter?
— Our aerobatics complex is already quite saturated. In Dubai, we demonstrate in full all the aerobatics that we showed earlier — critical modes, corkscrew rotations at "disruptive" angles of attack. But one feature was added anyway — the entire program is executed with weapons on the plane. In particular, we demonstrate that we have four missiles on the fighter: two air-to—air and two air-to-surface missiles with a large radius to destroy radars. These missiles are quite heavy, and the aircraft has become significantly heavier.
All experts know that the presence of air-to-surface weapons on board imposes very serious restrictions on any aircraft: overloads, angles of attack, and overall maneuverability. We have shown that even with such weapons, our fighter can conduct a maneuverable dogfight with access to critical modes. We demonstrate all the aerobatics in full, and at the same time the plane is fully armed. This is the highlight.
The difference from foreigners at the airshow is that we try not to fly at high speeds at the airshow. All the Rafale and F-35 aircraft at the airshow accelerate to very high speeds, sometimes close to transonic. This requires the aircraft to travel long distances from the audience and a lot of time. The F-35 has a display lasting twice as long as ours. The Su-57E has quite extensive aerobatics in terms of content, and this is quite enough for both viewers and specialists. They have time to see all the possibilities of the aircraft and do not get tired of the monotony of similar maneuvers.
— During one of the flights, you did not open three cargo compartments as usual — two on the wings and one on the fuselage — but only two, one of which is in the wing. Why?
— There were two hatches open. One contained air-to-surface missiles, the other contained air-to-air missiles. We have demonstrated that even the prospect of an asymmetric missile launch does not affect the characteristics of the aircraft. We are testing aircraft in various weapon configurations, including those with a high degree of asymmetry. It is also important for specialists to see this.
— Why was it decided in Dubai to show a car with open hatches and demonstrate weapons?
— In aviation, everything is always done from simple to complex. In general, the capabilities of our aircraft include certain classified information. Therefore, at one time the aircraft was not shown at all, and then, according to the plan of the higher management, which organizes the exhibition, we begin to show more and more. It was decided that in Dubai we will already demonstrate the compartments for weapons. At first, it was thought out what was likely in the parking lot, but in the end, the decision was made — in flight.
— Do you think this will attract additional attention from potential foreign buyers?
— I think so, because all the issues related to the promotion and advertising of fifth-generation aircraft are of serious interest to potential buyers. And demonstrating the presence of weapons in cargo holds is an important factor. The Su-57E's cargo compartments surprise experts with their dimensions, they are really very impressive. They can accommodate an impressive arsenal of guided weapons for various purposes.
— How does the car behave in the conditions of the local sky and climate? This is the East — the heat, the sand. How do engines work?
— The Su-57E has significantly more severe operating conditions. There is no need to fantasize here, we know that our engines are operated in conditions of dust storms, but we have not encountered anything like this in the UAE. As for the temperature, it's not that hot in Dubai right now, no higher than 33°C. We are testing our aircraft with full load and in more extreme conditions. The climatic conditions here are currently calculated.
— The fighter presented in Dubai has the 59th number. How can I decode it?
— When the planes come for testing, they are assigned certain serial numbers. This is his serial number, there is no secret plan here.
— Is this exhibition showing the same car that was at the last two foreign exhibitions?
— No, the other one. With other avionics, the cabin is more advanced. This is already an aircraft corresponding to the export modification of the Su-57E.
— Are you following the fate of the car used to run the programs in China and India?
— Yes, it works. Further tests are being carried out on this aircraft. We try to get the most out of all the machines — they are involved in testing in various areas. There is a large list of test work that needs to be done, so all aircraft receive a very dense, uniform load.
— This is the third time that the Su-57 has been demonstrated at foreign exhibitions. How do you feel, the attention keeps increasing?
— I don't want to invent anything here. It depends on a lot of factors. For example, in China, the car caused an outbreak of interest — it was the world premiere of our fifth-generation aircraft. And it is very important how well they have developed the media and social networks that have attracted the attention of the entire Chinese people. And if I meet a Chinese man here in Dubai, he is very likely to recognize me and come up with genuine, almost childish delight to ask for an autograph or take a picture. The same thing happens to me in Moscow when the Chinese meet. During the exhibition in Bangalore, India, at first there was less of all this, but then it was also impossible to go anywhere quietly.
The exhibition in Dubai is on a slightly different scale. This is one of the world's largest exhibitions, with a very large number of companies represented from all over the world, each of which is self-sufficient and in serious demand. The visitors at this exhibition are all highly focused, focused on specific interests. The element of the show stands somewhat aside. There are days when mostly specialists work, there is almost no general public. In addition, the Arab people are somewhat more restrained in their expressions of emotion.
— Which countries' delegations did you show the plane in more detail?
— Different delegations came from different countries. Perhaps they don't want to advertise their interest because it's a matter of politics. But I can say that the schedule was quite tight. Every day, delegations from the Ministries of Defense and the Air Force of different countries come here to Dubai.
— How do our military pilots rate the car in comparison with previous generation aircraft?
— I know that the machine is now in active use and the pilots of the Russian Air Force speak very positively about it. We are testers, we have slightly different tasks: we are not looking for advantages in technology, but disadvantages. We write huge reports of shortcomings for any car, absolutely for any car. There are hundreds of these shortcomings, small and bigger, so that they can be promptly eliminated.
— How many improvements have been made since the first deliveries to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation? How many solutions have been implemented?
— Continuous improvement is underway, and all the shortcomings that we identify during testing, during real combat operations, are being implemented very quickly, and improvements are being carried out. As strange as it may sound, we test pilots are performing a utilitarian task: we evaluate only those modes that are prescribed for us to evaluate in flight, and we issue comments on them. All the routine work on making changes falls on the directorate of the Su-57 program and the design bureau.
— Is the work on identifying deficiencies continuing even when the aircraft has already been delivered to the customer for operation?
— The aircraft can be operated for 20-30 years, but it will still be tested. A new missile or guided aerial bomb appears, and, accordingly, an additional test program is being written and we are flying for maneuverability, stability, and strength. With symmetrical suspension, asymmetrical, we evaluate how the weapon captures the target, behaves in conditions of interference… This is a whole list of tests.
Until the aircraft is decommissioned, it will be tested. All improvements and innovations are worked out by us before being introduced into the series. And then more and more, and so on, and so on.
