A modernized version of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter flew for the first time in Russia on 21/10. According to the announcement by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a state-owned aeronautical conglomerate, the flight of the 5th generation aircraft took just under an hour.
The fighter was piloted by Sergey Bogdan, a test pilot at the Sukhoi Experimental Design Bureau, who was awarded the Hero of the Russian Federation medal. In note, the UAC says that “uA set of on-board equipment with extended functionality, intelligent crew and the possibility of using a wide range of new weapons is being tested on the aircraft.”
Video of a test flight of a modernized Su-57 fighter (bort blue 511). The first flight reportedly took place last week. https://t.co/faMDKWZr17https://t.co/oEKtYRKJou pic.twitter.com/YHPZvGEDgf
- Rob Lee (@ RALee85) October 29, 2022
According to Yuri Slyusar, director general of the UAC, the intelligent allows the Su-57's onboard computer to perform co-pilot tasks, allowing the pilot to focus on critical functions. The aircraft takes over piloting and preparing for the use of weapons. The Su-57 also features a high degree of intelligent combat automation.
The state-owned company also states that “it is already possible to install the second stage engine on the aircraft”. The Su-57 uses a pair of Lyulka Saturn AL-41F1 turbofans, a model derived from the AL-41F-1S used by the Su-35S Flanker-E.
This engine, however, is considered insufficient for the Russian stealth jet, which should receive the Saturn Izdeliye 30. The new engines, still under development. promises to improve the fighter's thrust and efficiency, as well as reduce weight and maintenance requirements.
The Su-57 is the only stealth aircraft in operation with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), which claims to have operated the model successfully. in the war against Ukraine. Speaking to the media in October, General Sergei Surovikin states that “in of combat use quality, I would especially like to highlight the fifth-generation Su-57 multirole aircraft.” The official even says that because it has a wide range of weapons, the Su-57 “solve multifaceted tasks of hitting air and ground targets in each sortie”, he said.
In all, 76 aircraft were ordered, but delivery has taken a long time. The first production Su-57 was delivered to VKS in December 2021 amid troubled development. UAC expects to deliver another batch of four planes in 2022. At the same time, Russia invests in the development of the Su-75, more focused on the export market.
