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
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.
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.