In this photo, you can see the coaxial-radial grid on the fifth-generation su-57 fighter. Its purpose is to reduce the radar visibility of the fighter.
The fifth-generation su-57 fighter is often criticized for "not good enough stealth performance." Russian developers are working hard on such challenges.
The new photo shows for the first time the coaxial-radial grid, which should increase the stealth indicators of the fighter.
Su-57 coaxial-radial grating
Image source: t.me/doklad_razvedki
The coaxial-radial grating is made of radio-absorbing materials, its purpose is to hide direct radar radiation from the engine inlet.
It is worth noting that the Americans, in the case of their fifth-generation f-22 and F-35 fighters, went the other way. They used special S-shaped air intake channels that exclude direct frontal transmission of the engine compressor blades.
S-shaped air intake channel F-22
Image source: snn
In all likelihood, the solution shown now will be implemented on serial su-57S. According to the latest data, the Russian air force will receive the first such aircraft in 2020. The very first of the serial su-57, we recall, crashed during tests in December 2019, shortly before the transfer to the Armed forces.
We could see the new su-57 practically assembled in August, and in October the plane made its first flight. In total, according to the previously concluded contract, the Russian air force should receive 76 such vehicles with the delivery of the last of them in the second half of the 2020s. Most likely, in the future, the Ministry of defense will purchase additional fifth-generation fighters.
Second production su-57 fighter
Image source: UAC
Now Russian engineers are actively working on the issue of aircraft modernization. One of the main directions is the replacement of the standard al-41F1 engine with a new product, which received the symbol "Type-30". It is assumed that the new engine will provide the fighter with flight characteristics that will fully allow it to be attributed to the fifth generation.
The so-called second-stage engine is a new model that is not an upgraded version of the products that are currently used on air force combat vehicles. Among the main features of the "Type-30" is the use of a new fan and an advanced control system.
Recall that the su-57 prototype equipped with one new engine made its first flight in 2017. Now the product is being actively tested. The serial model may appear in the middle of the decade.
