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Su-57D Fighter Jet

Su-57D Fighter Jet

Russian Su-57D twin-seat stealth fighter concept designed for drone control and manned-unmanned teaming missions.

Manufacturer: Sukhoi
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 5th
Maximum Speed Mach 2.0
No. of Engines 2
Radar Range Up to 248 miles (400 km)

Defense Systems Full Specifications

General Information

Name	Sukhoi Su-57D (Felon)
Manufacturer	United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) / Sukhoi
Country of Origin	Russia
Type / Role	Multirole Stealth Fighter / Airborne Command Post
Generation	Fifth-Generation
Status	Prototype / Flight Testing (Introduced May 2026)
First Flight	May 19, 2026
Introduction / In Service Since	Prototype stage; baseline variant in service since December 2020
Number Built	Limited prototypes (Base single-seat variant: 42+ units)
Operators	Russian Aerospace Forces (Planned), India/Algeria (Prospective)

Dimensions & Structure

Length	65 ft 11 in (20.1 m)
Wingspan	46 ft 3 in (14.1 m)
Height	15 ft 1 in (4.6 m)
Wing Area	848 sq ft (78.8 sq m)
Empty Weight	39,680 lbs (18,000 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	77,160 lbs (35,000 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	2 main tandem bays, 2 side quick-separation bays
External Hardpoints	6 additional wing hardpoints for non-stealth missions

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph / 2,135 km/h) at altitude
Range	2,174 miles (3,500 km) subsonic clean
Combat Radius	745 miles (1,200 km) supersonic supercruise
Service Ceiling	65,600 ft (20,000 m)
Rate of Climb	650 ft/s (198 m/s)
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	1.15 (with typical combat takeoff weight)
G Limits	+9.0 / -3.0 g

Powerplant

Engine Type	Saturn AL-41F-1 (Stage 1) / AL-51F-1 (Stage 2) Turbofans
No. of Engines	2
Thrust (each)	24,300 lbf dry / 33,100 lbf with afterburner (AL-41F-1)
Thrust Vectoring	3D thrust-vectoring nozzles
Fuel Capacity	Estimated 21,000 lbs (9,500 kg) internal

Armament

Gun	1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	R-77M (BVR), R-37M (Ultra Long-Range), R-74M2 (Short-Range)
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	Kh-69 Stealth Cruise Missile, Kh-59MK2, Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Planned)
Bombs	KAB-250, KAB-500 precision-guided munitions
Hardpoints	4 internal, 6 external
Payload Capacity	16,500 lbs (7,500 kg) total capacity

Avionics & Systems

Radar	Sh121 Multifunctional Integrated Radio Electronic System (MIRES)
Radar Range	248 miles (400 km) frontal tracking
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	Himalaya L402 Electronic Countermeasures Suite
Targeting System	101KS "Atoll" Electro-Optical Targeting System (IRST)
Helmet Display	Advanced NSTsI-V Integrated Helmet-Mounted Sight
Navigation	GLONASS and redundant INS baseline units
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Integrated e-Pilot AI system for rapid target distribution
Communication	Polyot-AIST resilient network datalink channels

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	Estimated 0.1 to 1.0 sq m (frontal profile)
Stealth Features	Internal weapons carriage, radar-absorbent material (RAM) coating
Infrared Signature Reduction	Planar cooling channels and shielded engine ducting paths
Sensor Fusion	Multi-spectral processing blending radar, EW, and IRST feeds
Networking Capabilities	Real-time command architecture linking aircraft and UCAV swarms

Variants

Special Export Versions

Su-57E

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Evaluation flights; baseline single-seater utilized in Syria and Ukraine
Notable Operators	Russian Aerospace Forces
Combat Proven?	No (Variant-specific; baseline single-seater has combat history)
Mission Types	MUM-T Drone Command, Air Superiority, Deep Strike Coordination

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	Estimated $45M – $55M (Domestic flyaway price)
Development Cost	Estimated $8 Billion – $10 Billion program total
Program Name	PAK FA / Prospective Aeronautical Complex of Front-Line Aviation
Funding Countries	Russian Federation

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Full integration of serialization-ready AL-51F-1 powerplant units
Future Replacement	Russian Mikoyan PAK DP (6th-Generation concept development)
Export Restrictions	Subject to Rosoboronexport state authorization frameworks
Notable Achievements	Second operational fifth-generation tandem two-seat fighter globally
Competitors	Chengdu J-20S (China), Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (US)

PROS

Drone Command Hub: Seamlessly integrates with and controls advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) like the S-70 Okhotnik-B.
Reduced Pilot Workload: Dual-crew cockpit layout optimizes multi-tasking during complex electronic warfare and strike missions.
Superb Maneuverability: Retains sophisticated thrust-vectoring nozzles for unmatched close-range aerial dogfighting capabilities.
360-Degree Radar Coverage: Utilizes an integrated Sh121 Byelka AESA radar system paired with side-looking arrays.
Diverse Payload: Features large internal weapons bays capable of housing ultra-long-range missiles and stealthy cruise missiles.

CONS

Compromised Stealth profile: The altered forward fuselage and larger canopy negatively impact the aircraft’s overall radar cross-section.
Performance Penalty: The added weight of a second cockpit slightly reduces maximum range and structural turning performance compared to the single-seater.
Industrial Bottlenecks: International sanctions and component shortages create persistent delivery delays and production constraints.
Unproven Fleet Logistics: Small operational deployment numbers limit extensive real-world data regarding long-term, multi-role maintenance.
High Operational Overhead: Managing advanced dual-crewed network-centric avionics increases comprehensive ground maintenance requirements.

Su-57D Felon: Russia’s Advanced Two-Seat Stealth Fighter

The Sukhoi Su-57D (NATO reporting name: Felon) represents a significant evolutionary leap in modern aviation, transitioning from a standalone tactical asset into an airborne battle management hub. Making its maiden flight in May 2026, this highly anticipated twin-seat variant introduces a radical paradigm shift for the Russian Aerospace Forces and prospective international buyers. Optimized for network-centric warfare, the aircraft features an elongated tandem cockpit canopy where a dedicated second crew member acts as a mission commander. This secondary station drastically reduces pilot workload during high-intensity operations, specifically focusing on electronic warfare, precision strike coordination, and crewed-uncrewed teaming (MUM-T) concepts.

Manufacturer

The Su-57D is engineered and produced by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, a prominent subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Assembly takes place at the specialized Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in the Russian Far East.

Speed and Range

Powered by dual afterburning turbofans, the Su-57D retains remarkable aerodynamic performance despite its increased airframe mass. The jet achieves a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 (approximately 1,320 mph) and maintains the ability to supercruise—sustaining supersonic flight without utilizing fuel-heavy afterburners. It boasts a substantial operational range exceeding 2,174 miles (3,500 km), which translates into a combat radius of over 745 miles (1,200 km) for long-range air superiority and deep-strike missions.

Variant

The tandem-seat architecture enables diverse operational roles within a single, stealthy platform, structured directly to support modern, complex tactical roles.

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Variant	Role & Technical Description
Su-57 (Baseline)	Single-seat initial production multirole stealth fighter.
Su-57M	Upgraded single-seat variant featuring advanced “Stage 2” engines.
Su-57D	Two-seat tactical command, drone controller, and advanced combat trainer.
Su-57E/ED	Designated commercial export configurations marketed to international forces.

Cost/Price

The estimated program unit cost for the Su-57D sits at approximately $45 million to $55 million for domestic production. However, customized export packages—such as those discussed under license-production frameworks with international clients like India—can drive full procurement packages significantly higher due to technological transfers and domestic parts integration.

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