Sukhoi Su-57

How does Russia’s first stealth fighter stand up to the American’s?

Russia’s Su-57 (also known as the PAK FA Tu-50), developed by manufacturer Sukhoi, recently came into service when it was deployed to Syria in February 2018. The aircraft, billed as a fifth-generation fighter, is the first Russian aircraft to employ stealth technology. Like the F-22, this plane is designed to scatter and deflect radar waves, using sawtooth edges and angled wings to keep the plane out of radar sight. The Su-57 can reach an impressive Mach 2 using a pair of Type 117 engine, and it can supercruise at Mach 1.6. This makes it faster than both the F-22 and F-35.

Like those two planes, the Su-57 carries its weapons in hidden bays, keeping it invisible to radar. It also uses radar-absorbing and radar shielding materials and coatings to reduce its RCS, in addition to radar blockers. The cockpit and pilot’s radar signature are kept small, meanwhile, with a special coating on the canopy of the plane. However, the Su-57 has come under some criticism for still having an RCS of 0.3 to 0.5 square metres, compared to just 0.0001 and 0.001 square metres for the F-22 and F-35 respectively, meaning its stealth capabilities are perhaps not as impressive. Nonetheless, it is a formidable aircraft, with a top speed that can’t be bested by its American counterparts.

“the su-57 can reach mach 2 and supercruise at mach 1.6, making it faster than the F-22 and F-35”

Inside the Su-57 The technology that may allow Russia to rival the US in the sky Engines A pair of Type 117 engines propel the plane up to speeds of around Mach 2. It costs around $50 million (£36 million) to build a single Su-57 jet Long range operations The Su-57 boasts a maximum range of up to 3,500 kilometres – significantly farther than the F-22 and F-35. Engine spacing The Su-57’s engines are deliberately spaced wide apart so as to accommodate a larger internal weapons bay. High flier The Su-57 is able to reach an altitude of up to 20,000 metres.

The Su-57 is Russia’s first operational stealth fighter

Size At 22 metres long, and with a wingspan of 14.2 metres, the jet is slightly on the large side for a fighter jet. Stealth silhouette The edges of the plane are aligned to reduce its radar signature. A senior Russian official has stated that the Su-57 could be upgraded to become a 6th-generation fighter Missile sensor Located behind the cockpit, the upperhemisphere missile approach warning will alert the pilot to incoming missiles. Hidden arms Like the F-22 and F-35, the Su-57 keeps its weapons hidden. Cloaking coating The plane is coated in radar-absorbing and radar-shielding materials. The Chengdu J-20 is one of two fighter jets being developed in China Many features of the Chengdu J-20 are still largely unknown Cockpit The cockpit is covered in a coating to hide the radar signature of the pilot.