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Su-57 Felon vs F-22 Raptor: Stealth Air Superiority Face-Off

Su-57 Felon vs F-22 Raptor: Stealth Air Superiority Face-Off

The Su-57 Felon and F-22 Raptor represent the pinnacle of Russian and American fifth-generation air superiority fighters. Designed by Sukhoi and Lockheed Martin respectively, these stealth jets embody their nations’ philosophies of aerial dominance. The F-22, operational since 2005, remains a benchmark for stealth and maneuverability, while the Su-57, officially entering limited service in 2020, showcases Russia’s latest advances in radar evasion and supermaneuvrability. In an era of renewed great-power competition and rapid technological evolution, comparing these two elite fighters provides key insights into how the U.S. and Russia envision future air warfare. From stealth shaping to advanced sensors and combat performance, the Su-57 vs F-22 debate continues to define the future of air superiority.

Performance Verdict

When comparing the Su-57 Felon vs F-22 Raptor, the F-22 maintains a clear edge in operational maturity, stealth effectiveness, and proven combat readiness. Its radar cross-section remains one of the smallest among any fighter, and its integrated avionics suite offers unmatched situational awareness. The F-22’s super cruise capability and combat-tested reliability make it the standard-bearer for air dominance.

The Su-57, however, demonstrates superior agility through 3D thrust-vectoring and a broader weapons loadout versatility, including hypersonic missile integration potential. Yet, limited production numbers, engine reliability issues, and incomplete avionics integration have hindered its full operational potential.

In essence, while the F-22 Raptor dominates current-generation air superiority, the Su-57 Felon embodies Russia’s drive to close the technological gap. Future upgrades, such as the Izdeliye 30 engines, could narrow this divide — but for now, the skies belong to the Raptor.

	F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet SU-57 Felon Stealth Fighter

Price
Our Rating	8.0 8.0
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Sukhoi
Category	Fighter Jets Fighter Jets

General Information

Name	F-22 Raptor Su-57 Felon
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense Sukhoi (UAC)
Country of Origin	United States Russia
Type / Role	Air Superiority Stealth Fighter Stealth Air Superiority / Multirole Fighter
Generation	Fifth Generation Fifth
Status	In active service In limited service
First Flight	September 7, 1997 January 29, 2010
Introduction / In Service Since	December 15, 2005 2020
Number Built	187 operational units ~25 (as of 2025)
Operators	United States Air Force Russian Aerospace Forces

Dimensions & Structure

Length	62 ft (18.9 m) 20.1 m
Wingspan	44.5 ft (13.6 m) 14.1 m
Height	16.7 ft (5.1 m) 4.6 m
Wing Area	840 sq ft (78 m²) 78.8 m²
Empty Weight	43,340 lb (19,700 kg) ~18,000 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	83,500 lb (38,000 kg) 35,000 kg
Internal Weapons Bay	3 total (1 centerline, 2 side) Yes (2 main, 2 side)
External Hardpoints	4 (non-stealth configuration) 6

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h) Mach 2.0
Range	1,840 miles (2,960 km) 3,500 km
Combat Radius	530 miles (850 km) 1,500 km
Service Ceiling	65,000 ft (19,800 m) 20,000 m
Rate of Climb	62,000 ft/min (315 m/s) 330 m/s
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	1.26 ~1.15
G Limits	+9 G +9

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan Saturn AL-41F1 (future Izdeliye 30)
No. of Engines	2 2
Thrust (each)	35,000 lbf (156 kN) 142 kN with afterburner
Thrust Vectoring	Yes (2D pitch vectoring) Yes (3D)
Fuel Capacity	18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internal ~10,300 kg

Armament

Gun	1× M61A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder R-77, R-74M, R-37M
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	JDAM, SDB Kh-38, Kh-59MK2
Bombs	GBU-32 JDAM, GBU-39 SDB KAB-250/500 guided bombs
Hardpoints	4 external (optional) 10 (internal + external)
Payload Capacity	18,000 lb (8,200 kg) 10,000 kg

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-77 AESA radar N036 Byelka AESA
Radar Range	125+ miles (200+ km) 400+ km
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	AN/ALR-94 suite L402 Himalayas suite
Targeting System	Integrated multi-sensor fusion IRST + radar fusion
Helmet Display	Standard HUD (no HMD in baseline) Integrated HMS
Navigation	GPS/INS GLONASS-based INS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Digital fly-by-wire Partial autonomy
Communication	Intra-flight data link, secure comms Encrypted data link

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	~0.0001 m² Estimated 0.3–0.5 m²
Stealth Features	Radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons Internal bays, radar-absorbing composites
Infrared Signature Reduction	Engine exhaust shielding Engine shielding, cooling design
Sensor Fusion	Yes Multi-source integration
Networking Capabilities	Limited Link-16, proprietary data link Limited data-link interoperability

Variants

Special Export Versions

None (export restricted) Su-57E (Export Variant)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Syria (2014–present) Syria (testing), Ukraine (limited combat)
Notable Operators	USAF (Air Combat Command, PACAF) Russia
Combat Proven?	Yes Limited
Mission Types	Air superiority, interception, precision strike Air superiority, strike, reconnaissance

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$150 million (flyaway) ~$45–50 million (estimated)
Development Cost	~$67 billion (program total) ~$10 billion (PAK FA program)
Program Name	Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) PAK FA (T-50)
Funding Countries	United States only Russia

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Avionics, radar, networking, sensors New radar, Izdeliye 30 engines
Future Replacement	NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) None planned (Su-57M modernization)
Export Restrictions	U.S. Congress export ban Controlled by Russian government
Notable Achievements	First operational 5th-gen fighter Russia’s first fifth-gen stealth jet
Competitors	F-35 Lightning II, Su-57, J-20 F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, J-20 Mighty Dragon

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