Russia intends to challenge the status of the US-made F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter through a modernized version of the Su-57 Felon
Russia has decided to modernize its first stealth fighter – the Su-57 Felon so that it can compete with the fifth-generation fighters F-35 Lightning II and F. America’s -22 Raptor.
“So far, Russian fifth-generation jets are not attracting global buyers. Therefore, production of an improved version of the Su-57 is scheduled to start in 2025 to change this situation.”
Some reports suggest that the modernized Su-57 fighter will receive an improved cockpit with the most modern avionics equipment. In addition, the aircraft is also integrated with a more advanced new generation engine.
the upgraded Su-57 fighter will be produced in a single-seat version, which is the result of development from the PAK FA fifth-generation fighter research program.
The improved Su-57 will be equipped with automation technology and artificial intelligence, which will significantly increase the capabilities of the Russian Air Force. Ultimately, it will replace the current fleet of fourth-generation MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters in the combat component.
Currently, the Su-57 is using the AL-41F1 jet engine, which is a product exclusively for the Su-35S fighter. It is reported that future production batches will be equipped with the more advanced Izdeliye 30 engine.
Thanks to improved aerodynamics, the Su-57 is capable of cruising at speeds of up to Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) without using the “afterburner” mode. Therefore, the export version of the Su-57E will seriously affect the market share of the F-35.
The Russian Aerospace Forces will receive 24 Su-57s by the end of 2024, this number is expected to increase to 76 by 2028, although only one is currently being received and it is not clear when. Just got the first export order.
While the Su-57 has performed quite well, the US consulting organization RAND published a report last year that raised doubts about whether the Felon can be considered a fifth generation fighter. year or not.
earlier this year, a senior official of the state-owned technology corporation Rostec said that the Su-57 had aroused the interest of many countries.
“If we talk about the Su-57E (export version), then this aircraft is of great interest in many countries, because it has unique combat and flight characteristics,” said Rostec Director of Rostec. International Cooperation and Regional Politics – said Viktor Kladov.
India, Vietnam, China, Algeria, Egypt and Turkey can become potential customers of the Su-57. In which, Turkey is the country excluded from the US F-35 program because of the S-400 deal with Russia.
But of course the modernized Su-57 with a second-stage engine will need to prove it is really reliable to compete, as the F-35 Lightning II is also becoming more and more intimidating.
Don’t forget that last month, Russia demonstrated its fifth-generation Su-75 Checkmate single-engine fighter at the MAKS 2021 International Air and Space Show, the Su-75 boasts advanced stealth technology. which the Su-57 lacks.
So it is possible that it is the Su-75 that is really the rival of the F-35, not the upgraded version of the Su-57