The Russian Aerospace Forces have finally publicly revealed deep modifications to their fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet, aimed at making it more effective for special military operations. According to Russian state media TASS, the SU-57 has increased stealth survivability and maneuverability in dense enemy air defense environments.
The new Izdeliye 30 engines developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and mounted on the Su-57 had improved thrust-to-weight ratios and efficiency in fuel consumption compared to the old AL-41F1 engines mounted on the initial version.
The advanced radar systems that the new version is loaded with possess longer ranges of detection and superior facilities for targeting tracking. The best part is that because of these production difficulties, less number of Su-57s are put into operation.
The Su-57 upgrade happens alongside the 85th anniversary of the Sukhoi Design Bureau. A saga it is for the bureau, which has developed more than 100 types of aircraft since its inception. Reverses notwithstanding, the bureau had also suffered reverses when some of its buildings caught fire, adding to its production woes.
Among new features, there is an onboard computer to be described as an electronic second pilot and the radar system dispersed across the body of the aircraft. AESA radar and ELINT systems become part of avionics systems for the aircraft.
All these design choices should lead the Su-57 aircraft toward more effective combat performance through enhanced situational awareness and, consequently, lower pilot workload.
Nonetheless, the biggest challenge lies with the Kremlin as far as producing the Su-57 in enough quantities. The aircraft has not yet fully had its role during the Ukraine conflict, where its full deployable use by the Russian military has not yet utilized its maximum advancement.
The Russian Aerospace Forces received in 2023 a fleet of ten Su-57 fighters powered by the first stage of the engine. From 2024, the second stage of the new Izdeliye 30 engine, which has gone through all tests and is now ready for operation, will be installed on new Su-57s. The existing fleet is supposed to continue with current engines with no plans for upgrading.
This is the Izdeliye 30, more commonly referred to as the AL-51-F1. This engine in terms of its design features and use of leading-edge materials allows improvements to performance and also stealth characteristics.
The flat nozzles of this engine also lower the infrared signature for the aircraft and are gaining a global trend as they improve maneuverability.
Russia’s summit product under its PAK FA program began in 1999 is the Su-57. The aircraft was designed to be multi-role, with a true mission in aerial combat, ground strikes, and any form of maritime strike; it also possessed stealth technology, supermaneuverability, and an integrated avionics system.
Now, even though Russia’s Su-57 catches up to the rest of the lot, it still lags far behind other nations’ development, such as the US F-35 Lightning II from Lockheed Martin has been remarkably widespread with over 1,000 models in service or under development in several countries.
The F-35 is sophisticated with its sensor suite and situational awareness capabilities.
Even though it grants the Su-57 unbeatable speed, and even though it has fewer drawbacks in offensive power, low production, and serious technical issues prevent this jet from reaching its full potential.
Only continuous technical development and upgrades will maintain a leader in the world of aerial warfare, where everything tends to go fast.