Russia’s “partially operational” fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the Su-57 Felon, has undergone significant upgrades and is being revitalized as a key component of Moscow’s air defense.
On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the Sukhoi Design Office, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) stated on July 29 that the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter’s capabilities were being enhanced to expand its role in the ongoing Ukraine war, also known as the ‘special military operation.’
“The newest fifth-generation Su-57 fighter is used to solve the most difficult tasks. Due to its stealth and survival characteristics, it can perform tasks in conditions of saturated enemy air defense. Despite the cutting-edge characteristics of existing aircraft, the Sukhoi Design Office is currently working on improving and expanding the capability of Su-57 for the tasks of the SVO (Special Military Operation or Special Operation abbreviated as “SMO” or “SVO”),” the UAC was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.
The Su-57 was the first aircraft in Russia developed using stealth technologies, which significantly reduced its radar signature. It is equipped with the latest digital flight control system and is known to be super maneuverable, largely due to the engines with a deflected thrust vector.
These features give the aircraft the capability to launch attacks on the enemy without being detected, and the UAC is leveraging these features to improve the aircraft’s performance in saturated air spaces such as the one in Ukraine.
Additionally, the aircraft manufacturer described the Su-34 as the “workhorse” of the Russian Air Force in Ukraine, frequently covered by the Su-35. This remark prompted experts to suggest that it might refer to the Su-34’s capacity to carry the Sych UKR-RL radar reconnaissance pod, which features the M402 Pika-M side-looking radar and can detect targets at a range of 300 kilometers.
Elaborating on the role played by the Su-57, the UAC noted that together with the Su-34 and Su-35, the Su-57 is a part of the special operation’s central combat unit. It emphasized that using these three aircraft types together enables the service to give a fitting response to modern combat threats.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the aircraft was notably absent from the battlefield. The Su-57 debuted in the Ukraine war much later, performing only frontline combat patrols. However, since at least the beginning of this year (or much earlier than that), the aircraft has been used to launch stand-off attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Ilya Yevlash, the Head of Public Relations for Ukraine’s Air Force, said, “The Russians have already employed the Su-57 aircraft, but they are attempting to keep it at a safe distance since they are aware that it could be targeted by our air defense. This is a really pricey ‘rattle’ that they protect. This is a costly but unique toy for them.”
By June, the Ukrainians had managed to knock out a Su-57 parked at an airfield in Southern Russia. It also released satellite images showing before-and-after views that, according to its claims, exposed fire damage and debris surrounding a Su-57 jet stationed at an airfield.
It was considered a massive blow to the Russian Air Force since it has produced just a handful of these fighter jets to date.
Despite the few Su-57s in their inventory and the relatively limited role in Ukraine entrusted to the aircraft compared to the Su-34 and Su-35, the Russian aircraft manufacturers have gone on a mission to upgrade the Felon.
Upgrading The Su-57 Felon
According to Russian media reports, the Su-57 is receiving certain upgrades, including increasing the range of its weapons and, perhaps, operating drones in a manned-unmanned team. This is significant as previous reports hinted that Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter) drone would be deployed as a loyal wingman to work alongside the Su-57.
