Sukhoi Su-57 flight testing and development

[lancer21]

Few more images here.
https://t.me/c/1961578938/2008

 

[kizvy]

Few more images here.
https://t.me/c/1961578938/2008

God those old engines are so much uglier than the izd 177 engines

 

[Life of Tyo]

God those old engines are so much uglier than the izd 177 engines

However, the AL-41F-1 was one of the first Russian turbofan engines to be given RAM on the Inside Exhaust nozzle. I'm curious if it's also installed on Izd 177

 

[Squirrel]

However, the AL-41F-1 was one of the first Russian turbofan engines to be given RAM on the Inside Exhaust nozzle. I'm curious if it's also installed on Izd 177

Btw, petals of the convergent-divergent nozzle are made from ceramic-composite material ,not from Titanium Alloy. One of the reason why is Izd 117/AL-41F-1 lighter than older AL-31F (by 150 kg in total).

 

[F119Doctor]

it is hard to tell from a photo whether the white coating on the divergent flaps is a thermal barrier coating, or TBC/LO coating. If they have been able to construct these from a ceramic composite and they can live in that environment, it would be a good development for them. Still no LO shaping visible.

 

[Squirrel]

AFAIK it's T-50-5 that had an engine fire.

''Damaged by fire of the right engine in 10th June 2014 in Zhukovsky when landing, pilot Kondratyev left airplane after landing, but plane was damaged beyond repair. Was ressurected using airframe of T-50-6 and fire survived pieces (rudders, fins), renamed to T-50-5R (sufix R means ремонтный = repaired), first flight after repairs on 16th October 2015. Damaged fuselage of T-50-5 remains in Zhukovsky, wings were reused for static tests.''

Prototype No '055 blue' was also known for its ''great white shark scheme''. This prototype was also the first one with all eight AESA 's onboard.

Sources:

http://su57.mariwoj.pl/su57-index.html

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-...hoi-t-50-prototype-suffers-fire-approach-land

 

[Squirrel]

it is hard to tell from a photo whether the white coating on the divergent flaps is a thermal barrier coating, or TBC/LO coating. If they have been able to construct these from a ceramic composite and they can live in that environment, it would be a good development for them. Still no LO shaping visible.

That white coating is applied using Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) ,is that right ?

 

[F119Doctor]

Could be done various methods, most likely a plasma spray.

 

[Squirrel]

@F119Doctor

It is interesting that even after so many years ,there is very little photos of the IGV of Izd 117.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3620231.html

If this illustration is 100% presentation of its IGV, maybe we can say that the same is made also from the ceramic-composite material?

 

[flateric]

or may be we can not (tm)
(what for, for the God's sake?)

 

[F119Doctor]

@F119Doctor

It is interesting that even after so many years ,there is very little photos of the IGV of Izd 117.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3620231.html

If this illustration is 100% presentation of its IGV, maybe we can say that the same is made also from the ceramic-composite material?

The F120 had a composite inlet case, so anything is possible. One of the issues with inlet cases is that you need provisions for anti-ice, which typically done with compressor bleed air, which might be too hot for a composite case. Don’t know if a ceramic composite case would be be possible. The F135 has electrically heated inlet case struts and trailing edge vanes, which could give sufficient heat for anti-ice without over heating the assembly and coatings.

 

[gerijofiejskd]

A wonderful comparison! There will be several differences in the production version of the two-seater, including due to the requirements of the electromagnetic characteristics department.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2057404010143871037

View: https://x.com/GeorgeN28581/status/2057404010143871037?s=20

 

[Fencer]

https://russianplanes.net/id366928

 

[Scott Kenny]

Pardon me, I had 5 pages to catch up on...

His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim (the Sultan of Malaysia) has agreed to witness a demonstration of the fifth-generation multi-role fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57E, at Zhukovsky International Airport, Moscow today 8 May 2026 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GUJgWM8iS/



View attachment 811594

An autographed picture of the Su-57 in flight? Color me jealous!

Russian aviation has famously involved a low level of pilot autonomy and a high emphasis on ground control. Could it be that they're essentially trying to address concerns about communication jamming--not by training their pilots to a higher level of autonomy, but by moving the commander into the air?

Interesting theory, and I agree that it seems likely.

That aside, I'm curious where the notion comes from, that two seat aircraft are somewhat inherently hindered with regards to low observability?

The cockpit is a huge resonant cavity and reflects basically ALL the radar energy, and is hard to make stealthy. You need RAM coatings on the exterior canopy frames, specialized canopy coatings to match the transparency to the skin radar reflectivity etc ad nauseam.

Now you're making the canopy even bigger to fit a second seat under it, and in this case deliberately making the head-on view larger.

I do wonder if the commander needs forward visibility... I always thought it'd make more sense for low observability/survivability reasons to fair the second pilot in behind the pilot (similar to the Mig-31 cockpit). It matches the patent though! I suppose one additional rational for the high cockpit would be to avoid having to substantially reduce the internal fuel capacity?

The nose landing gear well is in the way for putting the back-seater in tandem like the F-14 or F-15B/D/E

The interceptor role in Russian doctrine is a specialized one, always has been, and just because an aircraft is by itself capable doesn't mean it's suitable for that role.

Didn't the Su-27 partially replace the various interceptors other than MiG-25s? IIRC all MiG-25 units got MiG-31s, but didn't the Yak-28s etc get replaced by Su-27s?

 

[Ainen]

The cockpit is a huge resonant cavity and reflects basically ALL the radar energy, and is hard to make stealthy. You need RAM coatings on the exterior canopy frames, specialized canopy coatings to match the transparency to the skin radar reflectivity etc ad nauseam.

Now you're making the canopy even bigger to fit a second seat under it, and in this case deliberately making the head-on view larger.

But it is fully coated, it's well known.
In this situation, it should be only marginally worse than original - maybe not even critical compared to more clear bright spots.

They most certainly went through the modelling(drawing from wastly more experience than in the past) and chamber testing.

Didn't the Su-27 partially replace the various interceptors other than MiG-25s? IIRC all MiG-25 units got MiG-31s, but didn't the Yak-28s etc get replaced by Su-27s?

Yes, su-27 from outset was a VVS PVO asset (ahead of VVS/air superiority actually).
Mig-31 is often viewed as almost some sort of interceptor holy grail. It's emotional - PESA may be PESA, but it was 1970s PESA. Even vanilla Su-27 radar and weapon suit performed just as well or better in real world conditions.

And mig-31bm is ultimately a relatively modest upgrade/replacement to the actually desired Mig-31M...

Compared to Su-57, there's not much conversation. Yes, mig-31 is faster/higher energy state, while with WSO and 4 heavy missiles(and everyone in same hemisphere knows when it is in this state). That's it pretty much. When su-57m will be here, short reheat will do almost the same thing.

At this point(drones, stealth), mig isn't even much of an interceptor really, it's more of a "lancer". Deadly against unaware, but being unaware about it is just difficult.

 

[FighterJock]

Just had a look at the Su-57Ds cockpit and it sit's higher than the Su-30's cockpit.

 

[EmoBirb]

You need RAM coatings on the exterior canopy frames, specialized canopy coatings

All of which have already been in place since the Su-57S. Every stealth aircraft has a coating on their canopy meant to address this. And the canopy brace, like the entire exterior skin, has received an RAM coating.

The same measures from the single seat aircraft are in place here, just that the canopy is larger and there's a second brace. Does this lead to a difference between single and dual seater? Of course, but pretending like it's a monumental difference is just not compatible with reality.

Didn't the Su-27 partially replace the various interceptors other than MiG-25s? IIRC all MiG-25 units got MiG-31s, but didn't the Yak-28s etc get replaced by Su-27s?

The Su-27 replaced lesser and older aircraft, but it never replaced the MiG-25, let alone it's successor the MiG-31. Subsequently the Su-57 won't replace/substitute the PAK DP.

I explained in length why "interceptor" within Russian doctrine is something very unique, not interchangeable with the western understanding of the term and why a purpose build aircraft will be required to fill that role. The Su-57 already takes over the roles of various legacy aircraft, with added capabilities on top. Thinking or having the desire to see it take on the missions of the MiG-31 is not only beyond the scope of it's design requirements, it's just wishful thinking not reflected by the reality within the Russian MoD and their vision for the future of tactical aviation. It's akin to proposing that the Su-34M should replace the Tu-95, it's just not going to happen.

 

[Geo]

Thinking or having the desire to see it take on the missions of the MiG-31 is not only beyond the scope of it's design requirements, it's just wishful thinking not reflected by the reality within the Russian MoD and their vision for the future of tactical aviation. It's akin to proposing that the Su-34M should replace the Tu-95, it's just not going to happen.

Yes.
You wrote it absolutely accurately.

 

[Ainen]

The Su-27 replaced lesser and older aircraft, but it never replaced the MiG-25, let alone it's successor the MiG-31. Subsequently the Su-57 won't replace/substitute the PAK DP.

They weren't lesser or older.
Soviet PVO until the end had the actual lesser PD interceptors (mig-23p and mig-29 rgts).

Su-27s were replacing big, loitering(as opposed to alert) planes with more auromony and endurance, especially since those were often most exposed to contact with American fighters at the edges of Soviet Union (Far East/Japan, Kamchatka/Alaska, Cola peninsula/Norway).
Their role because of this was effectively air superiority, and (unlike all other PVO and VVS fighter aircraft) they had to be able to work western style, without babysitting - having higher level navigation etc as a result (and as a result being super successful in export - as you could pitch them against western aircraft directly).

Su-57 is direct flanker replacement with absolutely same responsibilities. As such, it is absolutely an interceptor in it's own right, and in megapolis variant it's frankly questionable, if remaining performance gap is worth much.
M 1.5 supercruise(2 dash) + 810(r-97?) may still be less than M 2.35 (2.8 dash) + R-37M in pure timings and range, but honestly, not like US has Valkyries in service. It doesn't matter.

 

[Scott Kenny]

All of which have already been in place since the Su-57S. Every stealth aircraft has a coating on their canopy meant to address this. And the canopy brace, like the entire exterior skin, has received an RAM coating.

The same measures from the single seat aircraft are in place here, just that the canopy is larger and there's a second brace. Does this lead to a difference between single and dual seater? Of course, but pretending like it's a monumental difference is just not compatible with reality.

And if you don't get those quite right, you have edge reflectors making a horrible hash of your RCS. And a two-seater with more canopy bows has more edge reflectors.

The Su-27 replaced lesser and older aircraft, but it never replaced the MiG-25, let alone it's successor the MiG-31. Subsequently the Su-57 won't replace/substitute the PAK DP.

Did I ever imply that the Su-27s had replaced the MiG-25s?

 

[raptor82]

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View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYnAShekZMY

 

[snne]

I don’t follow this topic as closely as some of the members here, but even I’ve occasionally come across documentations about the canopy coating of the Su-57...

Honestly, the Ruskies are quite open about their performance metrics; it’s kinda hard to miss actually...

 

[JS23]

Honestly, the Ruskies are quite open about their performance metrics; it’s kinda hard to miss actually...

Yes, they're very vocal about the capabilities of their equipment. The reliability of these claims, however...

 

[EmoBirb]

I don’t follow this topic as closely as some of the members here, but even I’ve occasionally come across documentations about the canopy coating of the Su-57...

Honestly, the Ruskies are quite open about their performance metrics; it’s kinda hard to miss actually...

Indeed, the Russian aerospace sector is actually fairly open about non-critical matters. You will never see concrete numbers or specific estimates being disclosed. But facilities for special purposes being opened, patents with technical drawings being published or commercial material being presented (clips, pictures, brochures).

Basically the stuff they're comfortable with when it comes to publicizing. Unfortunately for us and more fortunately for general information security, the truly interesting stuff remains unaccessable. But that's just how it is.

 

[EmoBirb]

Yes, they're very vocal about the capabilities of their equipment. The reliability of these claims, however...

Nobody is as vocal about the would be or actual capabilities of Soviet/Russian equipment as western media and think tanks. You gotta have a boogeyman to drive up defense spending and justify certain programs, but you also have to be careful to not make them seem too scary.

MiG-25 was such an example, where the west ran with something the Soviets never claimed. The Su-57 is no different. Schrödingers Russia is both an existential threat on all fronts yet constantly at the verge of defeat. Never dead nor alive, the Lockheed and Raytheon shareholders rejoice.

 

[Null]

Batches of Su-34s, Su-35s and Su-57s still being delivered, Su-70 and Su-75 still pending, apparently another contract might be pending for a separate order on the 2-seat canopy. I think it's more preferable to have a big air force, long range missile and drone production and a dense air defense network. Surprisingly a lot of countries just do arm day but skip leg day at the gym, as in just focusing only on aircraft production while a denser air defense network which also continues to evolve is needed to cover air bases for the aircrafts they produce and long-range missiles or drones to continuously attack other airbases that host adversary aircrafts.

I can't wrap my head around the thought of having 1000s of aircrafts but not enough long-range strike options to offer another country because of low production and not enough air defense coverage to offer another country because of low SAM production.

 

[Squirrel]

I don’t follow this topic as closely as some of the members here, but even I’ve occasionally come across documentations about the canopy coating of the Su-57...

If you don't mind....some publicly known details.

''Радиопоглощающее покрытие наносится и на фонарь кабины самолёта. В одном из выпусков передачи «Военная приёмка» телеканала «Звезда» академик РАН, научный руководитель программы разработки спецхарактеристик Су-57 Андрей Лагарьков рассказал, что в некоторых случаях на остекление фонаря приходится наносить 10-12 слоёв разных покрытий, чтобы обеспечить требуемые характеристики ЭПР и при этом стекло остаётся абсолютно прозрачным.''

https://aviation21.ru/stels-texnologii-su-57-tolko-fakty/

''A radar-absorbing coating is also applied to the aircraft's cockpit canopy. In an episode of the "Military Acceptance" program on the Zvezda TV channel, Andrei Lagarkov, an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the scientific director of the Su-57 special characteristics development program, explained that in some cases, 10-12 layers of different coatings must be applied to the canopy glass to ensure the required radar cross-sectional area (RCS) characteristics while maintaining complete transparency.''

From 10:30

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCh9-3CCYTE


Other sources :

https://www.defenseforces.com/2019/...57-fighter-jet-gets-advanced-stealth-coating/

https://aviation21.ru/3246-2/

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4uKWn3CKU

The F120 had a composite inlet case, so anything is possible. One of the issues with inlet cases is that you need provisions for anti-ice, which typically done with compressor bleed air, which might be too hot for a composite case. Don’t know if a ceramic composite case would be be possible. The F135 has electrically heated inlet case struts and trailing edge vanes, which could give sufficient heat for anti-ice without over heating the assembly and coatings.

Thanks. All in all, what we have is that they materialised almost all publicly known Patent Doc's.From the cockpit canopy and windshield with special coatings,IRST with that rotating optical block,specialy profiled air intakes with that coaxial-radial grid,than composite (or ceramic-composite ) IGV ( makes 60% of total front aspect RCS) ,mostly composite airframe skin,specially profiled LEVCON's ,wings and vertical stabilizers,even actual serial and operational Su-57's maybe have frontal RCS in the range mentioned many many years ago by its first chief constructor A.N.Davidenko.

Su-57 Stealth Technologies: Priority to the Forward Hemisphere

https://aviation21.ru/stels-texnologii-su-57-tolko-fakty/

They achieved all of this with actual fighters which are operational in 23 GvIAP so far and maybe in some new one.Also it became obvious that 'Megapolis Project' ( OKR 'Megapolis') with its Su-57M will have very important stealthiness from the rear aspect with serrated nozzles of the Izd. 30 or with that new stealth flat nozzles.

About replacements, Su-57 is not and will be not replacement for the MiG-31BM, that's for sure.In the operational VKS units,Su-57 is in fact replacement for the Su-35S. Example ,in the 23 GvIAP based on the Dzyomgi air base near the Komsomolsk on Amur/KnAAZ factory,Su-35S were the main fighters from 2014 together and than as complete replecament for the older Su-27SM. After 10 years of service ,replacement for the Su-35S came and it was the new 5th gen stealth fighter Su-57. Initial plan was to equip three fighter aviation regiments with total of 72 Su-57's ( so 24 in each with 12 in each of its sqns) ,where two will be positioned in the Europian part of RF and third will be in the Far East ( actual 23 GvIAP). In the same time, newly built Su-35S will replace older Su-27S/P and SM/SM3 in the VKS oper.units just as the Su-30SM/SM2 ( replacement in the MiG-29 units also).

 

[paralay]

RCS Su-57 min 0,43. max 6,43 m2
RCS Su-57D min 0,45. max 6,45 m2

+ 6,35%

 

[Squirrel]

Su-57 & MiG-31 together .

https://t.me/zoka200/52144

 

[Avimimus]

RCS Su-57 min 0,43. max 6,43 m2
RCS Su-57D min 0,45. max 6,45 m2

+ 6,35%

Of course, there exists twice the cockpit aperture - also a taller silhouette from the sides and an overall more complex shape.

 

[Avimimus]

I do wonder if the tandem layout is primarily there for area-ruling? There would be a lot of structural changes required for side by side seating, and burying the second crew in the spine of the fuselage would use up fuel tank space... so the volume had to be enlarged and the only way to enlarge it was upwards (and the only place to do it was near the front of the aircraft)? Hence the Su-30 style layout.

One could still go largely canopyless for the second crew member though.

It also makes me wonder if a long range 'saddle-tanked' version might be possible with a hump-back? As a fall back for the PAK-DP requirement?

 

[FighterJock]

The PAK-DP cannot fail the Russian VKS needs a replacement for the MiG-31 as it is getting old. Despite that I would think that the Su-57D would be good to have as a second interceptor if the PAK-DP proves to be too expensive to purchase in large numbers.

 

[AGS-1787]

I think like the others have said; the gear kinda forces the cockpit to be up higher than the patent. I wonder if this is the final layout or if it looks like that due to having to re-use part of the airframe.

 

[paralay]

I do wonder if the tandem layout is primarily there for area-ruling?

This is a way to maintain speed and visibility from the cockpit

 

[Avimimus]

This is a way to maintain speed and visibility from the cockpit

Yes, it definitely has benefits for visibility - I was just wondering if cruise speed / area ruling was the primary driver (given the airframe constraints mentioned).

 

[Squirrel]

One comment in the relation with that logo ( TG -channel Kazman) :

''In the recently presented first experimental two-seater Su-57D, curious silhouettes were spotted on the rudder and stabilizer. This is of course the Su-57 itself, but also the heavy strike UAV "Hunter", the unmanned version of the new light fighter Su-75, the stealthy operational-tactical nuclear and non-nuclear cruise missile X-69, the ultra-long-range air-to-air missile Izdelie 810 (the presumed index of this already fully developed missile R-47), or a hypersonic strike missile based on it (there were reports of such a weapon being developed for the Su-57). Why are all these things drawn there? Firstly, because all these systems are either already being used by serial Su-57s in combat (missiles) or interacting with it in combat operations ("Hunter") and are controlled by it, or are being prepared for this (like the Su-75 in all its variants). And also because the Sukhoi Design Bureau converted the T-50-5 prototype into the Su-57D, and it was heavily involved in the refinement of at least some, if not all, of the listed models, except for the Su-75, as it is not yet available. Or some preliminary work was carried out on it on this machine.''


So there is no S-71M/K but Kh-69, Izd 810 or new ballistic (or even hypersonic cruise) missile based on it.

 

[Geo]

One comment in the relation with that logo ( TG -channel Kazman) :

Squirrel, your biggest handicap is your enthusiasm, which cannot prevent you from passing off someone's private assumptions as facts.
It's a shame, because on the other hand you have brought a lot of new and interesting information here. For that you should be thanked.

 

[Squirrel]

Squirrel, your biggest handicap is your enthusiasm, which cannot prevent you from passing off someone's private assumptions as facts.
It's a shame, because on the other hand you have brought a lot of new and interesting information here. For that you should be thanked.

Thanks anyway.

What we had from G.N.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2056223727436652994

View: https://x.com/GeorgeN28581/status/2056223727436652994


Official source will tell us what types of missiles can be used if it happens at all.

 

[flateric]

One comment in the relation with that logo ( TG -channel Kazman) :

the stealthy operational-tactical nuclear and non-nuclear cruise missile X-69, the ultra-long-range air-to-air missile Izdelie 810 (the presumed index of this already fully developed missile R-47), or a hypersonic strike missile based on it (there were reports of such a weapon being developed for the Su-57).

All that is BS

 

[Null]

hmm thought the long hypersonic missile was already well known.

So the track record so far is.
- internal minauture kinhal for su-57 claim from a 2018 tass news report.
-talks of gremlin, Gzur, larva-md, missile that is hypersonic and internal from like 20+ news agencies talking about it from.
-now a logo picture from a Su-75D of what looks like a hypersonic missile next to a su-70, su-71 and su-75

Unless izvestia and tass news reporters are allowed to get high or drunk when pushing out news articles just for the kick of it? I know there is a newer version of the R-77 is there a new version on the R-37 that is getting worked on?