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Su-57

Sukhoi · Fighter / Attack · Russia · Digital Age (2010–present)

Su-57 — Fighter / Attack
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The Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon; designated T-50 PAK FA during development) is a Russian twin-engine, single-seat, supersonic 5th-generation stealth multirole fighter built by the Sukhoi Design Bureau as Moscow's answer to the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. First flown in January 2010, the type entered Russian Aerospace Forces service in 2020 after protracted development and production challenges. It is Russia's first 5th-generation stealth fighter, but fielded numbers remain modest — only 12-15 airframes are in active Russian service through 2026, well short of programme ambitions.

Roughly 67 ft (20.6 m) long with a 46-ft (14.0 m) wingspan, the Su-57 has an empty weight near 39,200 lb and a maximum take-off weight of 77,200 lb. Current production aircraft fly with AL-41F1 afterburning turbofans rated at roughly 19,800 lbf dry and 33,000 lbf with afterburner each — these are first-generation engines. Future production is planned around the AL-51F1 (Izdeliye 30), a next-generation powerplant rated at 24,500 lbf dry and 39,700 lbf with afterburner that delivers true supercruise and thrust-vectoring. Top speed is Mach 2.0 (around 1,330 mph at altitude), service ceiling 65,600 ft, and typical combat radius about 870 nmi — longer than the F-22. Distinctive features include low-observable shaping that cuts radar cross-section sharply versus the Su-27 family, four internal weapons stations plus six external hardpoints, the N036 Byelka AESA radar, a glass cockpit, and thrust-vectoring nozzles. Stealth performance is contested: Western analysts assess the Su-57 as closer to a 4.5-generation low-observable design than a full 5th-generation stealth platform on par with the F-22 or F-35.

Combat use has been limited. Two Su-57s flew a brief test deployment to Syria in 2018. Since 2022 the type has seen sporadic action in the Russia-Ukraine war, flying reconnaissance and stand-off strike missions and launching Kh-59 and Kh-69 air-launched cruise missiles, though full doctrinal integration has been slow. Loss reporting is murky: in June 2024, Ukrainian operatives reportedly destroyed at least one Su-57 at Akhtubinsk Air Base — possibly with a Storm Shadow missile — exposing the airframe's vulnerability on the ground. Production runs at Sukhoi's KnAAPO plant at Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with the Russian programme target of 76 Su-57 by 2027 slipping repeatedly because of development and manufacturing bottlenecks.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia's first stealth fighter. It's Russia's answer to the American F-22 and F-35 — designed to be hard for enemy radar to see. The Su-57 first flew in 2010 and entered Russian Air Force service in 2020.

The Su-57 is about 66 feet long — longer than a school bus. Two big Saturn engines give it Mach 2 top speed. Like the F-22, it carries weapons in internal bays to maintain stealth. The Su-57 also has thrust-vectoring engines that can rotate to point in different directions, giving it incredible agility.

Russia has built only about 25 Su-57s as of 2026 — much fewer than planned. The original target was 76 by 2024, but Russia's military budget couldn't keep up. The Su-57 had problems too — the new Izdeliye 30 engines (designed for full stealth performance) weren't ready until 2024, so early Su-57s used older Saturn AL-41 engines that aren't fully stealthy.

India was supposed to buy Su-57s in a joint program with Russia (called FGFA), but India pulled out in 2018 — saying the Su-57 wasn't stealthy enough. No other country has bought the Su-57 yet. Russia has used Su-57s in combat over Syria and Ukraine, but in limited roles. The Su-57 is far behind the F-35 in numbers (1,200+ F-35s built) and faces strong competition from China's J-20 in the global market.

Fun Facts

  • The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia's first stealth fighter.
  • Only about 25 Su-57s have been built as of 2026 — much fewer than originally planned.
  • The Su-57 has thrust-vectoring engines — engine nozzles that can rotate for incredible agility.
  • India was supposed to buy Su-57s in a joint program but pulled out in 2018.
  • No other country has bought the Su-57 yet.
  • Top speed Mach 2 — about 1,300 mph.
  • Russia has used Su-57s in combat over Syria and Ukraine, but in limited roles.

Kids’ Questions

Why doesn't anyone else buy the Su-57?

Several reasons. First, the F-35 is way ahead — over 1,200 F-35s have been delivered while only 25 Su-57s exist. Countries that need stealth fighters usually pick the F-35 for proven track record and Western support. Second, Russia's economy and industry struggle to build Su-57s in quantity — they cost a lot and take a long time. Third, since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Western sanctions make it hard for Russia to sell weapons anywhere. India was the most-likely Su-57 buyer; their 2018 withdrawal hurt the program badly. The Su-57 may someday find foreign buyers — but for now it's basically Russia-only.

What is thrust vectoring?

Thrust vectoring means the engine's exhaust nozzle can rotate to point the engine thrust in different directions. Normally a jet's thrust always points straight backward. With thrust vectoring, the pilot can angle the engine slightly up, down, or sideways. This gives the airplane extreme agility — it can turn tighter, climb more steeply, and recover from spins. The F-22 and Su-57 have thrust vectoring. The F-35 doesn't (except the F-35B's lift-fan, which is different). Thrust vectoring is hard to design and adds weight, so most fighters don't have it.

Variants

Su-57 (current production)
Current production variant powered by first-generation AL-41F1 engines. 12-15 delivered. Limited frontline fielding.
Su-57E (export variant)
Proposed export variant. India was involved in joint development from 2007 to 2018 before withdrawing. UAE, Algeria, and other nations have been in negotiations. No firm export contracts as of 2026.
Su-57M / Su-57M2 (planned next-generation)
Planned next-generation variant powered by AL-51F1 (Izdeliye 30) engines for true supercruise and thrust-vectoring. First AL-51F1 engine flight in 2017; production engines targeted for 2026-2027 service entry.

Notable Operators

Russian Aerospace Forces
Sole operator. 12-15 Su-57 in active service. Combat-deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war from 2022, with limited but growing frontline use. First known losses came from Ukrainian attacks on Akhtubinsk Air Base in 2024.
Foreign / export potential
Algeria, UAE, India (withdrew 2018), and Turkey (potential 2024-2025 negotiations following F-35 expulsion). No firm export contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Su-57 compare to F-22 Raptor?

Both are 5th-generation stealth fighters from different eras. The F-22 Raptor first flew in 1997, entered service in 2005, and 187 were built before production ended in 2011. The Su-57 first flew in 2010, entered service in 2020, and 12-15 have been delivered. The F-22 holds the edge in stealth, sensors, and production volume; the Su-57 offers slightly longer combat radius and thrust-vectoring (fully realised once the AL-51F1 is fielded). Direct comparison is awkward — the F-22 is a mature frontline platform, while the Su-57 is still early in its service life with limited combat experience.

Why did Su-57 take so long to develop?

Several factors converged. Russian post-Cold War defence-budget constraints throttled development funding from 1991 to 2008. Engine development was hard: the AL-41F1 only entered service in 2014, and the AL-51F1 has slipped repeatedly. Avionics and mission-system integration proved complex. India's 2018 withdrawal from joint development cut both funding and technical input. Production-rate scaling at KnAAPO has been slow. Together these dragged the gap from first flight (2010) to service entry (2020) out to ten years, against seven years for the F-22.

What is the AL-51F1 engine?

The AL-51F1 — internally Izdeliye 30 — is Russia's next-generation fighter turbofan, rated at roughly 24,500 lbf dry and 39,700 lbf with afterburner, with supercruise capability and thrust-vectoring nozzles. It is a clear step up from the AL-41F1 currently in the Su-57. The engine first flew on a Su-57 prototype in 2017, with production engines targeted for 2026-2027 service entry. The AL-51F1 is critical to the Su-57's design intent: the original specifications assumed it from the start. Today's AL-41F1-equipped jets are modest 5th-generation fighters; AL-51F1 variants would close much of the performance gap with the F-22 and F-35.

Has Su-57 been used in combat?

Combat use has been limited. Two Su-57s undertook a test deployment to Syria in 2018. Since 2022, the type has flown intermittent missions in the Russia-Ukraine war, including reconnaissance and Kh-59 / Kh-69 cruise missile launches. In June 2024, Ukrainian special operations reportedly hit Akhtubinsk Air Base — using a Storm Shadow missile or similar means — and destroyed at least one Su-57 on the ground, the first reported loss. Front-line combat use has been smaller than the platform's nominal performance would suggest, reflecting Russian reluctance to risk scarce airframes and a fleet too small to support sustained deployment.

Will Russia export Su-57?

Possibly. Algeria placed an order for around 14 aircraft in 2024 — the first firm Su-57 export commitment. The UAE has held preliminary discussions, Turkey has been in possible 2024-2025 talks following its 2019 F-35 expulsion, and India previously co-developed the type from 2007 to 2018 before withdrawing. Russian production constraints and U.S. CAATSA sanctions threats both limit prospects. A realistic 2025-2030 export tally is 25-50 airframes across all customers, contingent on the AL-51F1 reaching service status and KnAAPO ramping production.

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