Su-57 Fighter Specification and Features

Su-57 Fighter Full Specification – The fifth-generation Su 57 fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau is known as the PAK FA project. The aircraft, which until recently was known as the T-50, was developed as a better replacement for the Su-27 fighter. MilitaryEzyInfo.com

Su-57 Fighter Specification and Features

Length: 19,7 m
Height: 4.8 m
Wingspan: 14 m
Mass of the aircraft in the sky: 18.5 tons
Normal takeoff weight with full fuel tanks: 30.61 tons
Maximum takeoff weight: 37 tons

Its predecessors, the Su 30 and Su 35, still belong to the fourth generation, despite their high degree of perfection. The Su 57 is fully compliant with the fifth generation of fighters and was built as a counterweight to the American F-22. As of the beginning of 2018, 10 prototypes have been built and armed with Almost all of the major components including the detailed features of the Su 57 fighter are classified, but the publicly available data also gives us an idea of the capabilities of this aircraft. In terms of size, the Su 57 is slightly larger than the F-22 Raptor, but smaller than the Su 27 and belongs to the heavy fighter class. Its main features are supersonic cruise speed, low signature, ability to maneuver with an overload of at least 10g, versatility, and availability of advanced electronics. Let’s take a closer look at the Su-57’s features.

Su-57 Fighter Specification: Cockpit

The cockpit is equipped with an oxygen generator and a new generation of ejection seats. The instrument panel is based on two 15-inch multifunction displays, MFI-35. Other instruments include one small MFI, a backup display for current flight information, the ShKS-5 collimation system, and a voice guidance unit. An important component of the information system is that the most important information is displayed on the pilot’s helmet glass.

Su-57 Fighter Specification: Engine

The first prototype was equipped with the AL-41F1 engine, whose working title was Object 117, a turbojet twin-circuit engine with a controlled afterburner and thrust vectoring, developed at NPO Saturn. It enables supersonic speeds without afterburners; the first stage engine for the Su 57 has a digital control system and a plasma ignition system. The Russian propulsion system differs from the F-22 engine in that it has circular rather than rectangular nozzles. the Su 57’s engine is based on the Su-35S engine. The differences include increased thrust, a new automation system, a unique turbine, and reduced fuel consumption.

With these unique solutions, characteristics such as super maneuverability are fully achieved; the Su 57 is capable of more complex aerobatic maneuvers than any other aircraft in the world.

The second-stage engine, called “Type 30″, will power the Su 57 aircraft in mass production. This power unit will further enhance the fighter’s capabilities; testing of the engine has been underway since the last quarter of 2017. Its performance is significantly better than that of the AL-41F1.” Type 30 is a fundamentally new product. The solution applied here is unique in many respects and has no parallel in the world.

Engine

Engine type: Dual circuit turbojet with an afterburner and controlled thrust vectoring in two planes.
Model: AL-41F1 (in prototype and first 10 prototypes, in “second stage” “type 30” engines – in serial production machines)
Maximum thrust: 2×9500 (11000) kgf.
Thrust at afterburner: 2×15000 (18000) kgf.

Flight characteristics of the Su-57

Ultimate speed: 2,600 km/h.
Cruising speed limit: 2100 km/h.
Practical range when fuel tanks are filled: at subsonic speed – 4300 km.
At supersonic free speed: 2000 km.
Practical ceiling: 20 km.
Takeoff and glide distance: 350 (100) m.

Su-57 Fighter Specification: Weapons

The fuselage is armed with a 30mm 9-A1-4071K cannon with 150 rounds that can be fired in all operational modes. Ammunition is located in two compartments, the main and the side compartments.

the main compartment with eight suspension points can accommodate SD and MA rockets as well as guided aerial bombers. In the side compartments, highly maneuverable FC missiles are located. The external suspension can carry eight missiles for various purposes, combat load is 10 tons.

The Russian fifth-generation fighter has developed and continues to develop an extremely effective weapon system consisting of high-precision air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles of various ranges, and guided missiles. the weapons for the Su57 are state-of-the-art and their characteristics can only be roughly determined. Among the missiles mounted on the aircraft, the following are worth mentioning

Very long-range air-to-air missile for external sling KS-172. Its range is 400 kilometers, speed – 1400 meters per second, target height of 3 meters to 30000 meters at speeds up to 1100 meters per second. Target mobility is 12G.

Long-range “air-to-air” missile R-37M (RVV-BD) for internal compartment. Range 300 km, elevation 15-25,000 m.

Medium-range air-to-air missile K-77ME Range – 180 km. missile speed of about 4.5 M, target speed – 3600 km / h, height – 20 m to 25000 m, target maneuver 12 g.

Short-range air-to-air missile RVV-MD (R-73RMD-2). The range is 0.3 to 40 km. Maximum possible overload is up to 65 grams. Altitude – from 20 to 20,000 meters.

An important quality of the Su 57 is its versatility. It can be effectively operated as a fighter to gain air superiority and as an attack aircraft to engage ground and naval targets. For this reason, the Su 57’s armament package includes an extensive list of anti-aircraft weapons.

Notable to begin with is the Kh-38M family of short-range air-to-surface missiles. It has a range of 40 kilometers and a speed of 2.2 meters. It is used to destroy surface targets in coastal areas.

Kh-58USHK long-range anti-aircraft radar missile. It has a range of 250km. Flight speed – 4200 km/h.

Kh-59MK2 Subsonic air-to-surface missile with a range of 290 km.

Kh-35UE subsonic anti-ship missile with a range of 260 km. Among the weapons, Su 57 should be noted not only the modified bombs but also a number of other missiles, the “air surface” of various purposes.

The aforementioned missiles are characterized by the ability to very effectively bypass the enemy’s missile defenses.

Low Detection, Airborne Warning System, Radar

One of the most important features of the fifth-generation fighters is radar invisibility, or more precisely, low visibility. Absolute invisibility no one has yet been able to achieve but to reduce it significantly certainly. Low visibility is provided by a complex of measures. First of all – it is the shape of the glider as well as the radio wave absorbing coating that allows maximum dispersion of radar radiation.

In this respect, the Su57 is almost as good as the F-22 and clearly better than the F-35. However, the Russian fighter’s substantially lower visibility is largely due to the Himalayan EW system being noticeably better than its best American counterpart. The same superiority is provided by the aircraft’s onboard Radar Velka, which is capable of detecting enemies at centimeter and decimeter ranges and providing all-round visibility.

The decimeter range locator, although less accurate than the centimeter range system, negates the “invisibility” of U.S. stealth fighters. The most important search tool is the atoll electro-optical system, which can monitor the airspace in the visible range. U.S. fighter jets have no such system. It is important to note that the detection range of the Bell radar is far beyond the detection range of potential enemy aircraft.

The overall capability of the electronic detection and jamming system, combined with its excellent maneuverability and state-of-the-art weaponry, makes the Su 57 fighter unmatched.

It should be noted that the characteristics described here are approximate and taken from publicly available sources, as exact data is naturally not publicly available.