What is su-57?

The Sukhoi Su-57 (Russian: Сухой Су-57; NATO reporting name: Felon) is a Russian fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft developed under the PAK FA ( перспективный авиационный комплекс фронтовой авиации, Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, literally "Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation") programme.

Designed by Sukhoi, the Su-57 is intended to be the successor to the MiG-29 and Su-27 in the Russian Aerospace Forces. It features stealth, supercruise, supermaneuverability, and advanced avionics to overcome the prior generation fighter aircraft as well as ground and maritime defenses.

The Su-57 made its first flight on 29 January 2010. The Russian Air Force received the first production Su-57 in December 2020. The aircraft has seen limited service, including reported deployment in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Key features include:

• Stealth: Designed with features to reduce radar cross-section.
• Supercruise: Capable of sustained supersonic flight without using afterburners.
• Supermaneuverability: High agility achieved through advanced aerodynamics and thrust vectoring.
• Avionics: Features advanced radar systems and sensor fusion.

The engines are also a crucial part of the design, with the initial models using AL-41F1 engines and later production models slated to use the more advanced Izdeliye 30 engine.