The Fifth Element: What makes the Russian Su-57 fighter unique
The Su-57 fifth-generation fighter and its ammunition have been presented to the public outside Russia for the first time. The newest Russian combat aircraft aroused great interest among specialists at Airshow China in the Chinese city of Zhuhai. How was the presentation of our fighter at the largest aviation forum in Asia, as well as the capabilities and weapons of this unique aircraft - in the material "Izvestia".
Russian fifth-generation fighter aroused great interest
A few days before the air show in China, the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Gagarin Aviation Production Association handed over to the Russian Air Force another batch of serial Su-57s. The aircraft is being produced, delivered to the troops and used in a special military operation.
The Su-57 is the first Russian fighter of the fifth generation and the third in the world in this generation. It made its first flight in 2010 after the American F-22 (1997) and F-35 (2006). China's J-20 fighter, which also belongs to the fifth generation, took off three years later. The Su-57 has become a versatile combat aircraft that can equally successfully accomplish both air superiority and strike missions against ground targets.
Su-57 flight
The Su-57 has all the main features of the fifth generation: reduced radar visibility, all-round visibility of the radar complex, the ability to integrate into a single information space for air-to-ground operations, super maneuverability and an intelligent airframe. A new engine is on the way, which will provide the Su-57 with no-forsake flight at supersonic speed. For the first time among serial domestic fighters, the Su-57 can carry armament in its internal compartment - air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, conventional and guided bombs.
The Su-57 became a real star at the Airshow China in Zhuhai. The unique aerobatics performed by Sukhoi Chief Pilot Sergey Bogdan caused quite a stir and attracted the attention of both specialists and the general public. Already on the first day of training flights, Chinese blogs published a lot of stories from the Su-57 flight program. Of course, the airplane attracted a lot of attention, and it was noted, for example, the absence of the secret anti-radar coating, which, probably, many people would like to feel and, perhaps, take a sample to study. It is obvious - no one will show at an international exhibition the closed developments of the domestic military-industrial complex, which still exist only for "internal use", of course. In Zhuhai, one of the experimental prototypes of the T-50-4 is shown in exhibition form, not a serial military vehicle.
The official tactical and technical characteristics of the airplane are presented at the air show, and they are impressive. Maximum speed - 2M (two speeds of sound). Maximum speed near the ground - 1350 km / h. Record range - range with two refuelings in the air - 7800 km, with one refueling - 5200 km, without refueling - 2800 km. Practical ceiling - 18,800 meters. Maximum flight duration - up to 10 hours. Normal takeoff weight - 26,700 kg, maximum - 34,000 kg. Maximum payload weight - armament, suspended tanks - 7,500 kg. At the same time, the aircraft has super maneuverability, which is inherent in the Sukhoi Design Bureau's aircraft of recent generations, and also has a design that ensures a significant reduction in radar visibility.
First contracts for delivery of the Su-57 abroad
During the Zhuhai Salon, the first contracts were signed for the delivery of the Su-57E export variant of the aircraft to foreign buyers. This was announced by Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport. The head of the state corporation noted that such contracts will support our aviation industry and give an opportunity to develop our aircraft building. So far we can only guess with which countries the contracts have been signed, but it can be noted that such countries as Algeria, Iran and India traditionally show interest in Russian high-tech military products. It may well be that there could be some brand new players from Southeast Asia and Latin America. The Russian fifth-generation airplane has been long awaited.
Next to the fighter in the parking lot, the Su-57's main strike armament, with which it is taking part in the SSO, was also demonstrated. In particular, the latest X-69 compact long-range air-to-ground missiles, which are adapted for placement in the aircraft's internal compartments and have a range of up to 400 kilometers. The missile can carry several types of warheads, as it has a modular design and is equipped with a satellite guidance system that ensures high accuracy in hitting targets. The aircraft can also carry X-59M2 long-range guided missiles on external suspension on underwing catapult launchers AKU-58U, which are successfully used in the course of air defense. Of course, with missiles and bombs on external suspension can not talk about reducing radar visibility, but sometimes stealth capabilities are not necessary.
In general, at the Zhuhai Airshow, Russian officials noted exactly the successful use of the Su-57 in a special military operation. The aircraft can carry virtually any modern weaponry and is capable of competing with any Western air defense system, including the U.S. Patriot.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
