MOSCOW, Feb 13 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. Rostec State Corporation has handed over the first large batch of Su-57s to the Russian Aerospace Forces this year. These are vehicles with an upgraded complex of avionics and modern means of destruction. The new features of the fifth—generation fighter are described in the RIA Novosti article.
Rocket for radar
The last time the Su-57 appeared in public was in November at the Dubai Air Show 2025 in the UAE. Then Rostec showed the eighth prototype, the T—50-9, presented as an export modification. The fighter demonstrated high maneuverability with extreme angles of attack, a Pugachev cobra, a bell, a flat corkscrew and other complex elements. The car was piloted by the famous test pilot Hero of Russia Sergey Bogdan.
The Su-57E fighter
Image source: © RIA Novosti / UAC Press Service
The plane then attracted everyone's attention. And it's clear why. For the first time, the general public saw the internal fuselage armament compartments of the vehicle. There are four of them — two central and two lateral. Of course, there are also external suspension points, but the missiles there significantly increase the visibility of the "invisible" for the enemy radar and dramatically increase the distance from which the Su-57 can be detected. That's why they hide the weapons inside. For example, the American F-22 and F-35 fighters, as well as the Chinese J-35, are designed according to the same principle.
In the internal compartments, the observers examined X-58USHKE anti-radar missiles with a range of up to 250 kilometers. Multi—band passive homing heads cover frequencies from 0.1 to 11 gigahertz, that is, all on which Western-made SAM radars operate - from AN/MPQ-53 (American Patriot complex) to TRML-4D (German IRIS-T). This is a whole new level. And so the inconspicuous Su-57s are now capable of destroying enemy air defense systems without entering the affected area. And the pilot doesn't even need to know the exact location of the battery.
"Carpet" and "Monochrome"
The fifth-generation fighter is gradually acquiring advanced weapons for strikes on the ground. For example, C-71K "Carpet" and C-71M "Monochrome". The first is an analog of the Geranium UAV, which goes to the target according to pre—set coordinates. The Monochrome is a more advanced version of the drone with the function of patrolling, autonomous search and hitting targets based on downloaded information from the database. Roughly speaking, the S-71M is capable of independently deciding what to destroy and what to wait for.
A Russian Su-57 fighter jet at the XV International Aerospace Technology Exhibition Aero India 2025 at the Indian Air Force Elahanka Airbase
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Nina Padalko
Such ammunition has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are obvious. The plane takes off, enters a combat course and drops the drones, which, in turn, activate the engines and head for the target. The pilot does not need to enter the enemy's air defense zone. Thus, the tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces becomes virtually invulnerable. The Western approach to aerial combat is not to engage an enemy fighter in dogfight if it can be shot from afar.
Minus: The "Carpet" and "Monochrome" do not fit into the internal armament compartments of the Su-57. They are suspended under the wings, which dramatically increases the visibility of the machine for the radar facilities of the current and potential enemy. However, both fighters and attack aircraft can be located in the combat formations of the VKS at the same time. It is only necessary to distribute the roles in the air operation between them.
New engine
But the main design element of a promising aircraft is not the armament and avionics, but the engine. It doesn't matter how sophisticated the fighter is internally. If he does not fly well — not maneuverable, not high-speed, not thrust-armed, then he will lose the dogfight. For a better car, you need a better engine. And there already is one.
The Product 30 engine, also known as the AL-51, is being developed to replace the AL‑41F1, which is powered by the Su-35S. Fewer stages, increased efficiency — gains of up to 18% in fuel and thrust relative to its predecessor. According to the United Engine Corporation, the thrust of the Product‑30 is 17.5—19.5 tons, while in afterburner mode it is significantly higher than that of the AL-41F1, which ensures stable cruising flight.
The "Product 30" is claimed to be a solution that is more economical in terms of specific fuel consumption with the same thrust. This increases the range of the aircraft and the duration of the patrol. Moreover, the AL-51 has flat nozzles while maintaining a deflected thrust vector. That is, the fighter remains super-maneuverable and at the same time barely noticeable to the enemy's detection means. The first production Su-57s with second-stage engines are scheduled to enter service in 2027.
The faithful wingman
There were several cases of combat use of the Su-57 during the SVO. In the spring of 2022, a unit of four vehicles worked in a single information network to open and suppress the Ukrainian air defense, striking and providing coordinates to targets for other means of destruction.
The Russian Su-57 fighter
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Nina Padalko
In addition, the Su-57 launched cruise missiles at military and energy facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — without entering the enemy's air defense zone. A number of reports indicate that the Su‑57 was also used to destroy air targets at long distances (there is information about the destruction of the Su‑27 and Su‑24 of the Ukrainian Air Force at extreme range), which demonstrates the development of capabilities as a long-range interceptor.
The fifth-generation fighter continues to improve. The manned aircraft should be joined by heavy S-70 Hunter drones, which will become "loyal wingmen" for the VKS pilots. They will conduct reconnaissance, give target designation to a person and, if necessary, independently inflict fire damage on the enemy.
It is necessary to take into account the perspective. The combat operation of the Su-57 in its own military, despite small batches, is becoming a key element of the aircraft's "PR": the real use of a stealth platform, weapons in internal compartments and bundles with heavy UAVs is demonstrated. And the better the car performs in battle, the more buyers there will be for it.
Andrey Kotz
