Sukhoi Su-57

Twin Jet

The Sukhoi Su-57 is Russia's first operational fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed to compete with the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Developed by Sukhoi and entering service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2020 after a protracted development spanning more than two decades, the Su-57 represents Moscow's answer to Western air dominance platforms. The aircraft combines low-observable stealth technology, supercruise capability, advanced avionics with active electronically scanned array radar, and thrust-vectoring engines to achieve air superiority and precision strike missions. The Su-57's design emphasizes agility and sustained supersonic flight. Powered by twin Saturn AL-41F1 turbofans producing 32,500 pounds of thrust each with afterburner, the fighter achieves a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 and can supercruise at Mach 1.3 without afterburners. Its internal weapons bays preserve stealth characteristics while carrying air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance, though external hardpoints allow for significantly increased payload at the cost of radar cross-section. The aircraft's three-dimensional thrust vectoring provides exceptional maneuverability at high angles of attack, a hallmark of Russian fighter design philosophy. Despite its advanced capabilities, the Su-57 program has faced significant challenges. Production numbers remain limited compared to Western counterparts, with fewer than two dozen aircraft delivered as of 2024. Export prospects have been constrained by geopolitical factors and competition from established platforms. The type saw limited combat deployment during operations in Syria, where it was used primarily for operational evaluation rather than sustained combat missions. Nevertheless, the Su-57 represents a technological milestone for Russian aerospace industry and marks the country's entry into the exclusive club of nations fielding operational stealth fighters.