Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighter Will Never Be as Good as the F-22 or F-35
The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's fifth-generation fighter, reflects the broader challenges faced by Russia's military operations, especially in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Summary: The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia's fifth-generation fighter, reflects the broader challenges faced by Russia's military operations, especially in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite its introduction in 2010 and production starting in 2019, only 32 Su-57s have been built due to setbacks and delays.
Issues such as its radar cross-section and reliance on older engines have hampered its performance.
Although capable, the Su-57 has not significantly impacted the war in Ukraine. Interestingly, the jet has gained pop culture prominence, notably appearing in "Top Gun: Maverick" as an advanced, menacing aircraft, despite its limited operational use by Russia.
The Su-57's struggles reflect broader challenges in Russia's military operations, even as it gains pop culture prominence in films like "Top Gun: Maverick."
And that means the Su-57 will never be able to challenge the F-22 or F-35 as the best stealth fighter on Earth.
The Sukhoi Su-57: Behind Russia's Struggle for Air Superiority in Ukraine
With the Russo-Ukraine War entering its third year, Russia’s military struggles are clear to see.
The war has become a conflict of attrition. Russia is not gaining meaningful amounts of territory, and surprisingly, it is failing to control the airspace above Ukraine. That failure emphasizes the shortcomings of Russia’s air force. It draws attention to the jets at Russia’s disposal – and the jets not at Russia’s disposal, namely, the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57.
Introducing the Su-57
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter. The jet’s first flight took place in 2010, yet all these years later, only 32 have been built. (Production began in 2019.)
Consistent setbacks and delays have hampered the Su-57s production, but even the completed aircraft often fail to impress, as Alex Hollings of Sandboxx News wrote:
“Radar cross-sections (RCS) are subject to a great deal of debate online and should always be taken with a grain of salt, but expert assessments of the Su-57 suggest that it boasts an RCS of about .5 square meters – which is about the same as a 4th generation F/A-18 Super Hornet when flying without ordnance and 5,000 times bigger than the F-22 Raptor.”
Hollings continued, “Stealthy woes aren’t the Su-57s only problem – delays in Russia’s 5th generation engine program have left its Felon fleet operating the same AL-41F1 engines found in Russia’s non-stealth but highly capable 4th generation Su-35S. A Rand Corporation analysis of the aircraft’s advanced 360-degree sensor suite posits that the system itself remains incomplete as well, likely hindered by international sanctions placed on Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine.”
Still, the Su-57 is a capable aircraft, as defense expert Christian Orr writes:
“All of these woes plaguing the Su-57 doesn’t mean the F-22 or F-35 pilots – or especially pilots of the 4th generation fighter planes – can afford to take [the Su-57] lightly.”
Indeed, the Su-57 is still an advanced fighter jet with a 360-degree thrust vectoring control that facilitates nuanced maneuverability. The Su-57 also has impressive speed, maxing out around Mach 2.
Despite the flaws, the Su-57 would likely make a positive contribution to Russian objectives in the skies over Ukraine – if the Russians could only bring it to the fight.
The Su-57 Felon in Film
While the Su-57 has not appeared regularly in Russian force structures, the jet did appear in the top grossing film of 2022, Top Gun: Maverick. Well, technically the jet featured was not acknowledged as the Su-57, and the operator remained unidentified. But the jet depicted was clearly the Su-57, albeit in CGI form.
In Top Gun, the Su-57 appears menacingly at the film’s climax, flying over Tom Cruise’s shoulder as he pilots a resurrected F-14 Tomcat. The Su-57 is depicted as lethal and advanced, earning the respect of Cruise’s character. Cruise manages, of course, to defeat two Su-57s when they both come in for a close look at Cruise.
Keep an eye out for the Su-57 in the Top Gun 3, if not over the skies of Ukraine.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.
