Work In Progress, Feel Free to post any information or discuss about it !
Variants
Su-57
Spoiler
The base Su-57 variant, entered service in 2020.
Also known as Phase I Su-57 which incorporates the older Al-41 engines
Avionics
Spoiler
Radar Systems
Su-57 incorporates N036 Byelka radar suite, comprising of, well, a lot of sub radars
Main frontal X band Radar
1500+ ~ TRM
Cheek Mounted X band radars
400+ ~ TRM
Rear mounted Radar?
4x L Band AESA radars
12 TRM per array, high wattage.
Some patent dumps for L band arrays, probably used in Su-57 seeing the linear format
https://www.electronics.ru/files/article_pdf/0/article_377_173.pdf
http://www.niimp.ru/files/library/Radiotechnology.pdf
http://www.niimp.ru/files/library/Opit%20razrabotki%20i%20osvoeniya%20v%20proisvodstve.pdf
http://www.niimp.ru/files/library/GaN%20L-band.pdf
http://jre.cplire.ru/jre/library/3conference/pdffiles/a005.pdf
САМОЛЕТНАЯ АНТЕННАЯ РЕШЕТКА. Патент № RU 2453955 МПК H01Q21/00 | Биржа патентов - Московский инновационный кластер
http://www.niimp.ru/files/library/Radiotechnology.pdf
https://www.niip.ru/upload/iblock/8d4/8d443cf487f7773c1ce898b51c8c3554.pdf
http://jre.cplire.ru/jre/library/3conference/pdffiles/a005.pdf
The L band radars DO work as a radar, not only for ECM or IFF as su35s. They are GaN TRM which is quite nice, however it is to note that these are linear arrays, so they will struggle to find elevation of the target
This could be overcome by using triangulation and datalink between 2 or more su57 to pinpoint the targets elevation.
Other than that, it could be possible that these can be use for early midcourse correction for LRAAM, and give time to the launcher to get close enough to the target for its X band radar to reliably detect it, by the time the missile would have covered a lot of distance, azimuth wont matter much in this early stage as the missile would have to Loft to higher altitudes irrespective of target altitude at long ranges.
PLEASE NOTE
A lot of specs of these radar systems are really old, way before su-57 induction, it is possible a lot could’ve been changed in between, especially for the rear radar.
IRST
Su-57 incorporates 101 KS V IRST system, which can rotate behind when not in use, covering itself in a Thick RAM
Cockpit, HUD
T-50 Cockpit
Possible Su-57 HUD, used in training crew
Some sort of miniature Su-57 dashboard & HUD?
Defense
Spoiler
Missile Approach Warning systems
These are only UV based MAWS
DIRCM
101 KS O, Shines a laser on incoming IR missiles seeker to burn their seekers.
Chaff/Flare dispensors
3x Countermeasure dispensors. Each having 2 rows of 5 and 1 row of 4 slots. total 42 countermeasures.
ECM
Su-57 has a very sophisticated ECM suite, Its L band radars, main X band radars and rear radar all contribute for it.
Specifications and Flight performance
Spoiler
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Length: 20.1 m (65 ft 11 in)
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Wingspan: 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in)
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Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
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Wing area: 78.8 m2 (848 sq ft)
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Empty weight: 18,500 kg (40,786 lb)
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Gross weight: 26,700 kg (58,863 lb) normal takeoff weight, 29,770 kg (65,630 lb) at full load
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Max takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lb)
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Fuel capacity: 10,300 kg (22,700 lb)
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Powerplant: 2 × Saturn AL-41F1, 88.3 kN (19,900 lbf) thrust each dry, 142.2 kN (32,000 lbf) with afterburner, 147.1 kN (33,100 lbf) in emergency power
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Maximum speed: Mach 2, 2,135 km/h (1,153 kn; 1,327 mph) at high altitude
- Mach 1.1, 1,350 km/h (729 kn; 839 mph) at sea level
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Supercruise: Mach 1.3, 1,400 km/h (756 kn; 870 mph)) at high altitude
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Range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi, 1,900 nmi) subsonic
- 1,500 km (932 mi; 810 nmi) supersonic
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Combat range: 1,250 km (780 mi, 670 nmi)
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Ferry range: 4,500 km (2,800 mi, 2,400 nmi) with 2 outboard fuel tanks
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Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
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g limits: +9.0
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Wing loading: 371 kg/m2 (76 lb/sq ft) normal takeoff weight
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Thrust/weight 1.09 at normal takeoff weight (0.97 at loaded weight with full fuel)
Fuel capacity calculations
Fuel system. Volume 11.68 m3. Fuel weight 11.68 m3 * 775 kg/m3 = 9000 kg
(Thanks to Paralay for this)
Weapons
Spoiler
Finding the possible weapons of Su-57 is really hard, it doesnt help the fact we dont have a single picture of its main internal weapon bays, hence some assumptions had to be made here.
Gun
- Gsh-30-1 30mm autocanon
Internal Bays
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Main Internal Bays
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4/6 x R-77M (Izdeliye 180) ( possibly 6? )
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4 x Izdeliye 810 ?
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4/6 x K-77ME (Izdeliye 180 BD) ?
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4 x R-77-1 (with folded fins) ?
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4 x Kh-69
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4 x Kh-59MK2
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Side Internal Bays
- 2 X R-74M2
External Pylons
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Inner wing pylons
- 2x R-77M (Izdeliye 180)
- 2x K-77ME (Izdeliye 180 BD) ?
- 2x R-77-1
- 2x Kh-31
- 2x Drop Tanks
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Outer wing pylons
- 2x R-77M (Izdeliye 180)
- 2x K-77ME (Izdeliye 180 BD) ?
- 2x R-77-1
- 2x R-73/R-73M/R-74/R-74M/R-74M2
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Under Intakes
- 1x 101 KS-N Targeting pod
PLEASE NOTE
Su-57 CANT carry R-37M internally, theoretically it can carry them externally but there is no photographic evidence for that.
Izdeliye 810, A special variant of R-37M is being made, incoporating a AESA seeker, smaller central fins, foldable rear fins, and a longer size (hence extended range) for the Su-57.
R-77M/K-77ME/Izdeliye 810 are still in testing phase, they have not been inducted in service yet.
Stealth Analysis
Spoiler
Finding official stealth capabilites of any 5th gen fighter is impossible without access to sekrit spicy docs.
We will try to find the extents of Su-57 stealth capabilities from the information and simulations we have.
However, we have to bust some rumours to go ahead
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Exposed screws :-
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The exposed screws problem was mainly limited to T-50, the old Su-57 prototypes which didnt really need the finishing. Serial Su-57 are much cleaner. Other than that, the radar return from the screw heads for X bands or lower would be negligible, as the screw heads are smaller than the wavelength of the radar waves, hence they dont act as a effective reflecting surface. Some diffraction might occur due to change of material on surface, but they will still be a lot less. Other than that, even planes like F-22 have a lot of exposed screws.
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Circular IRST
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The Circular IRST is often considered as a large source of reflection for Su-57, which isnt wrong, but isnt completely right either. The IRST of the Su-57 Rotates backwards, exposing a surface which is covered with a thick layer of RAM, this smooth surface would actually not cause any diffraction due to sudden change in angle of the surface, which a faceted IRST might do.
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Exposed Fan blades
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Su-57 uses partial serpentine intakes rather than something on F-22 or F-35. This helps in weight reduction and requires less support structures. However, this causes the fan blades of the engine be exposed from the front. But this is mitigated by using variable ramps, which usually go down post mach 1, and help hide the engine blades from front. Other than this, radar blockers are also implemented angled upwards. The point is to cause multiple reflections through RAM coated intake surfaces to make the radar waves very weak to detect.
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RCS comparable to Super hornet
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People usually say the RCS of su-57 is comparable to a super hornet, which is completely wrong. RCS of super hornet is said to be at 1m2, which is the lowest possible return at only specific angles. It also does NOT consider the fact that the 1m2 value is without any weaponry, which is not what a fighter jet will go against.
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Other than this, we dont know the real RCS of Su-57. People usually refer to the old T-50 prototype documents RCS ( 1 - 0.1m2 as a goal ) Which did NOT incorporate RAM over external surfaces, other than the IRST and the intakes, nor it considered radar blockers for the intakes.
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Even if its RCS is 1 - 0.1 m2… in comparison to what is it bad against? people refer to F-22 with 0.0001m2 but forget its again, the lowest possible rcs. Not to mention the fact that it wasnt mentioned that at what frequency is that RCS achieved? There are unclassified CIA documents confirming that hey have been deliberately leaking false values through public media in the past with B-2 ( Credit to Qu_Rahn for finding this file ) https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000500640.pdf
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Now that we have covered this, lets talk about what could its RCS be?
Answer is we dont know…
Information regarding to RAM is very classified, and we cannot pinpoint its performance.
However what we have in hand a way to be able to compare the geometric stealth capabilities between different aircrafts.
This is done with the help of RCS simulations using variety of softwares.
We have to consider the fact RCS simulations should NOT be taken as real RCS, as we cant find out the RAM performance. It should only be used to compare to other jets RCS simulation under same conditions and quality of model.
Su - 57 RCS simulations :-
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Stealthflanker’s RCS simulations
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Pros
- Considers IRST with a baseline RAM
- Results across a lot of bands
- A lot of comparable aircrafts
- Considers cooling vents with a baseline RAM
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Cons
- Does not consider variable intakes
- Low poly model
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APA’s RCS simulation
A Preliminary Assessment of Specular Radar Cross Section Performance in the Sukhoi T-50 Prototype -
Pros
- Full 360 coverage simulation
- Results across multiple bands
- Good explanation on the working of the simulation
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Cons
- Not a lot of aircrafts to compare to ( Only J-20 have been done in the same way)
- Uses PEA for intakes
- Doesn’t consider radar blockers/variable intakes
- Po Facets does not consider creeping wave returns
- Used older T-50 airframe, which likely didn’t have any sensor bumps
- Low poly model
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101 RCS simulation
Su-57 Radar scattering simulation – Aircraft 101 -
Pros
- A lot of comparable aircrafts
- Good explanation on the working of simulation
- Considers FSS radomes
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Cons
- Low poly model
- Does not consider a baseline RAM coated IRST or IGV
- Does not consider variable intakes
- DIRCM taken as fully reflective, while they are most probably mostly transparent
Out of all of these, stealthflanker’s simulations seems to be most accurate. According to his simulations, Su-57 Frontal RCS is similar to F-35, when its IRST is rotated backwards. However when using its IRST, its RCS increases significantly.
Overall, geometrically, Su-57 has solid stealth capabilities.
Su-57 M1
Spoiler
As of May 2025, a new Su-57 has reportedly went into production, the Su-57 M1. This is supposed to be Phase II
Info on this variant is not a lot, but i will list down what we know as of now, and edit as a much more comprehensive summary once enough information on it is known
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The new Su-57 M1 will incorporate a flatter but a wider airframe and internal bays for better stealth
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It will have the long awaited Al-51 engines
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It will have a new Radar suite, along with new avionics
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It will incorporate AI (for likely data fusion, and man unmanned teaming with S-70 okhotniks drone)
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Other before known information included a new HMD instead of the usual Russian HMS
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It might have the TVC Flat nozzles shown to public in December 2024
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the Izdeliye 180 and 810 missiles may also go into service with this jet, which is likely to be in 2026
