The Su-57 Felon is Russia's first fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, developed by Sukhoi and built at KnAAPO Komsomolsk-on-Amur. It entered limited service in 2020 with approximately 12-15 aircraft delivered by 2025. Features include the Sh121 N036 AESA radar supplemented by L-band arrays in the wing leading edges for passive detection of stealth aircraft, internal weapons bays accommodating R-77M, Kh-35, Kh-58, and Kh-69 precision-guided weapons, AL-41F1 turbofans with thrust vectoring and supercruise capability, and integrated electronic warfare/AESA systems. The type has seen limited deployment over Ukraine. Full production ramp-up awaits the Izdeliye-30 high-performance engine.
- Russia's first and only 5th-generation stealth platform in service
- Sh121 AESA radar plus L-band wing leading-edge radars for multi-spectrum detection
- Supercruise capability with AL-41F1 engines (Mach 1.6 without afterburner)
- Large internal weapons bays for R-77M BVR and Kh-69 cruise missiles
- Thrust-vectoring nozzles provide exceptional post-stall manoeuvrability
- Very limited production numbers (~12-15 aircraft by 2025) — not yet operationally significant
- Stealth capability questioned by Western analysts relative to F-22 and F-35
- Saturn Izdeliye-30 next-generation engine development behind schedule
- Minimal combat use in Ukraine — real-world performance data very scarce
- Unit cost and production rate constrained by sanctions and industrial capacity
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