Russia Increases Production of Su-57, Equips It with Gen-6 Technology

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Although facing strict economic sanctions by the international community, Russia’s defense industry is still able to deliver new fighter aircraft to its air force.

Most recently, it has successfully delivered the Su-57 “Felon” and Su-35S fighter aircraft to the Russia Air Force (Russian Aerospace Force).

According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Yuri Gagarin Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, under the United Aircraft Corporation, has successfully completed these fighter aircraft for the Russian Air Force.

After undergoing rigorous testing by the factory and performance evaluations, these fighter aircraft have been handed over to the Russian Air Force, a confirmation made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov.

Russia’s defense industry was initially expected to begin production of the Su-57 “Felon” fighter aircraft for its air force in 2017, but this was only achieved in 2021 due to an accident during a test flight in 2019.

At present, the Russian Air Force has a limited number of Su-57 fighter aircraft, but they are working to increase production.

These Su-57 aircraft are categorized as Russia’s first fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

The exact current number of Su-57 fighter aircraft held by the Russian Air Force is not disclosed, but according to the acquisition plans of the Russian Ministry of Defense, they intend to have 76 of these fifth-generation fighter aircraft by 2027.

Yuri Slyusar, the CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, stated that UAC has received new allocations to acquire technical equipment and modernize and expand its production capabilities.

All these efforts will help the company increase the production not only of Su-57 fighter aircraft but also of Su-35S fighter aircraft for the Russian Air Force, which is currently actively used in Ukraine.

Increasing the production of these fighter aircraft will assist in “replacing” older fighter aircraft in the Russian Air Force, including the Su-35, in the conflict in Ukraine.

 The Russian Air Force is reported to have deployed Su-57 fighter aircraft in the Ukraine conflict, although their involvement is limited to long-range missile strikes from within Russia’s borders to avoid Ukraine’s air defense systems.

Slyusar stated, “The company will increase the production of fifth-generation Su-57 fighter aircraft for the Russian Air Force,”.

As the United States is working on enhancing the capabilities of its fifth-generation fighter aircraft, such as the F-35 Block 4 with various upgrades, Russia is similarly upgrading the Su-57 fighter aircraft with several sixth-generation fighter capabilities.

 According to Russian news agency TASS, the Su-57 will be upgraded to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Rafael Suleimanove, a test pilot at Sukhoi Design Bureau, reportedly said that with the use of AI on the Su-57, it will be able to “do anything while in the air.”

Any pilot who has flown the Su-35 will be able to transition to the Su-57 without issues.

The upgraded Su-57 fighter aircraft are also expected to carry various new weapon systems that are being developed by Russia.

In addition to internal equipment and weapon systems, the upgraded Su-57 aircraft are expected to be equipped with a new engine known as “Izdeliye 30,” which will enable the aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds without using afterburners.

 Currently, Su-57 aircraft are using a temporary engine, the NPO Saturn Product 117, which is a derivative of the AL-41F-1S engine developed for the Su-35 aircraft.

Analysts believe that the use of the Izdeliye 30 engine will increase the thrust of the Su-57 aircraft, improve fuel efficiency, reduce the overall weight of the fifth-generation aircraft, and simplify maintenance.

 

The Su-57 can maintain supersonic speeds for most of its mission, even when facing adversaries.

The Su-57 represents a significant advancement in Russia’s fighter aircraft capabilities and is part of their ongoing efforts to modernize their military aircraft fleet. — DSA

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