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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.
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.
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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