F-35 vs Su-57: Comparing America’s Stealth Fighter with Russia’s Next-Gen Jet

Few defense debates spark as much global attention as the comparison of the F-35 Lightning II and the Su-57 Felon. The U.S.-built F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is the most widely deployed fifth-generation stealth fighter in the world. Russia’s Su-57, designed by Sukhoi, is its answer to America’s dominance in stealth aviation.

This matchup carries geopolitical weight far beyond technology. For NATO allies, the F-35 is a cornerstone of future air power. For Russia, the Su-57 represents its ambition to counter Western air superiority. With rising tensions from Ukraine to the Pacific, understanding the differences between these two fighters isn’t just academic—it’s central to global security.

Specifications Table: F-35 vs Su-57 Specs

Design & Technology

F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 emphasizes stealth and sensor fusion. Its shape, advanced coatings, and internal weapons bay allow it to operate with an RCS smaller than a golf ball. The jet integrates multiple sensors into a single digital picture, enabling pilots to “see first, shoot first.” The U.S. and NATO emphasize interoperability, making the F-35 a networked node in modern combat.

Su-57 Felon

Russia’s Su-57 blends stealth with traditional fighter design. It has stealth shaping but retains exposed surfaces and gaps, making it less stealthy than the F-35. Instead, it focuses on Supermaneuverability, using 3D thrust-vectoring nozzles for extreme agility. Russian engineers also equipped it with multiple radars, including L-band wing radars, designed to detect stealth aircraft like the F-35.

Firepower & Performance

Weapons Loadout

• F-35: Can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, JDAMs, and small-diameter bombs internally for stealth missions, with external pylons for up to 22,000 lbs when stealth isn’t critical.
• Su-57: Designed for a wide range of Russian weapons, including R-77M and K-77M long-range air-to-air missiles, Kh-59 cruise missiles, and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles.

Guns

• F-35A: 25mm GAU-22/A internal cannon.
• Su-57: 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon.

While the Su-57 carries a heavier gun, the F-35’s precision-guided munitions and superior targeting systems give it an edge in modern beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat.

Operational Range & Mobility

The Su-57 has a longer ferry range and higher service ceiling, giving it better reach in wide theaters like Russia’s vast airspace. Its thrust-vectoring engines enable extreme dogfighting maneuvers.

The F-35, though slower and less maneuverable, is optimized for stealth penetration strikes, electronic warfare, and networked combat. In NATO doctrine, survivability comes from being unseen, not out-turning the enemy.

Combat Effectiveness

F-35

The F-35 has combat-proven credentials. U.S. and allied forces have used it in strikes against ISIS and in deterrence patrols in Europe and the Pacific. Its pilot training ecosystem and interoperability with NATO forces make it more effective in coalition warfare.

Su-57

The Su-57 has seen limited combat use in Syria and Ukraine, mainly in standoff strike roles. However, production remains slow, with fewer than 30 in service by 2025. Its real-world performance is still largely unproven, especially in contested environments against modern Western air defenses.

Cost & Export Value

• F-35: Despite initial criticism over cost overruns, production efficiency has lowered unit prices to under $80 million for the F-35A. It has become the backbone of U.S. and allied air power, with over 20 partner nations and customers worldwide.
• Su-57: Russia advertises the Su-57 at nearly half the price, but availability, sanctions, and reliability issues limit exports. India withdrew from a joint project, and only a few states, like Algeria, have shown interest.

Analysis: F-35 vs Su-57 Who Wins?

The F-35 and Su-57 represent different design philosophies.

• The F-35 prioritizes stealth, networked warfare, and coalition operations. It is proven in combat, widely exported, and integrated into NATO’s command structure.
• The Su-57 emphasizes maneuverability and multi-role versatility with less stealth. Its technology is promising, but low production numbers and limited combat data leave questions about reliability and sustainability.

From a U.S. defense perspective, the F-35 holds the edge in stealth, sensors, and combat readiness, while the Su-57 poses a potential threat in close-range or high-maneuver scenarios.

Conclusion

In the debate of F-35 vs Su-57, the verdict depends on the battlefield scenario. The F-35 is superior in stealth, situational awareness, and coalition warfare, making it the backbone of Western air power. The Su-57, while impressive on paper, still lags behind in production, stealth, and proven combat performance.

For U.S. readers, the key takeaway is clear: the F-35 is already shaping air dominance for decades to come, while the Su-57 remains an ambitious but limited challenger.

FAQ: F-35 vs Su-57