The first images of the new flat nozzle AL-51F-1 engine developed for an upcoming enhanced variant of Russia’s Su-57 fifth generation fighter have been released, with
Once equipped, the Su-57M will be the first 5th generation fighter that can super-cruise at Mach 2, not to mention its 3D thrust vectoring capability.
With the exception of stealth, there is nothing quite like the Su-57s in the world, which reflects an interesting approach towards next generation air-to-air combat capability while everyone else is prioritizing on stealth.
The sub-sonic F-35s may have the stealth, but once detected, the Su-57s will be able to chase them down at twice the range and twice the speed, closing in on them at 700km/h. At which point, the F-35s are practically sitting ducks once their covers are blown.
Interestingly enough it looks like it’s stealthy enough for practical purposes. It definitely looks like they made the right compromise with stealth to retain actual maneuverability.
The Russian Air Force has demonstrated high confidence in the Su-57’s stealth capabilities, and has deployed the fighters for high intensity combat operations to parts of the Ukrainian theatre with particularly high concentrations of Ukrainian air defences.
It is very stealthy compared to 4th gen fighters like Su-35s, but still has RCS far worse than, say, an F-35.
Depends on who you’re listening to, there are experts in military aviation who believe that sensors and detection algorithms will eventually become so sensitive that the huge advantage of stealth could be rendered obsolete. In which case, thrust, maneuverability and firepower win the game. Like if you’re F-35s, once detected, you cannot outrun or outgun the Su-57s. You’re dead.
It’s highly unlikely that there’s no possible method for detecting stealth craft, so if the problem hasn’t been cracked then it will be eventually. Betting everything on stealth seems like a deeply flawed strategy to me as well.
Once equipped, the Su-57M will be the first 5th generation fighter that can super-cruise at Mach 2, not to mention its 3D thrust vectoring capability.
With the exception of stealth, there is nothing quite like the Su-57s in the world, which reflects an interesting approach towards next generation air-to-air combat capability while everyone else is prioritizing on stealth.
The sub-sonic F-35s may have the stealth, but once detected, the Su-57s will be able to chase them down at twice the range and twice the speed, closing in on them at 700km/h. At which point, the F-35s are practically sitting ducks once their covers are blown.
Interestingly enough it looks like it’s stealthy enough for practical purposes. It definitely looks like they made the right compromise with stealth to retain actual maneuverability.
It is very stealthy compared to 4th gen fighters like Su-35s, but still has RCS far worse than, say, an F-35.
Depends on who you’re listening to, there are experts in military aviation who believe that sensors and detection algorithms will eventually become so sensitive that the huge advantage of stealth could be rendered obsolete. In which case, thrust, maneuverability and firepower win the game. Like if you’re F-35s, once detected, you cannot outrun or outgun the Su-57s. You’re dead.
It’s highly unlikely that there’s no possible method for detecting stealth craft, so if the problem hasn’t been cracked then it will be eventually. Betting everything on stealth seems like a deeply flawed strategy to me as well.