Sukhoi Su-57 flight testing and development

[Squirrel]

Really?
We thought that IWBs were just for UAE airshow only.

IWB ? ''Inside Weapon Bay'' or something else ?

Hm, R-77M has non-foldable stabilizers and I don't think they can be attached inside of FWC (fuselage weapon compartment).Same case with the R-77-1 and its 'grids'.

 

[Ainen]

IWB ? ''Inside Weapon Bay'' or something else ?

Hm, R-77M has non-foldable stabilizers and I don't think they can be attached inside of FWC (fuselage weapon compartment).Same case with the R-77-1 and its 'grids'.

Exactly.
(1)R-77-1 doesn't fit inside, and (2)Su-57 entered operational service back in 2019.

 

[Squirrel]

R-77-1 doesn't fit inside

 

[Ainen]

View attachment 816911

Exactly. Look carefully at your picture...
There are two choices here - either su-57 entered service without it's main internal armament(not unprecedented, but rare), or that 180 is operational for quite a while.

 

[Squirrel]

^

What we know for now, ( about AAM's) only Izd. 180 and 810 can be attached inside of those two FWC's and Izd. 760 ( maybe Izd. 300M) inside of those two side weapon compartments.

 

[Anduriel]

I completely agree.
And it is clear that the experience gained will be utilized in the development of the T-75 and its onboard systems (particularly the KOEPS-75), which will represent the sought-after, more cost-effective solution.

TBF, the most cost-effective drone hunter that Russia could have within reasonable timeframe is Yak-130M with T.220 or 101KS-N pod.

 

[Ainen]

TBF, the most cost-effective drone hunter that Russia could have within reasonable timeframe is Yak-130M with T.220 or 101KS-N pod.

It just about made its first flight. It isn't a combat-capable aircraft yet.
p.s. and while there probably shouldn't be integration problems, but it's native targeting pod is SOLT-130K.

 

[Anduriel]

It just about made its first flight. It isn't a combat-capable aircraft yet.
p.s. and while there probably shouldn't be integration problems, but it's native targeting pod is SOLT-130K.

Solt-130K, is crap. I wouldn't be surprized if they shoved SOLT-25 in a pod and called it a day. But even if not, then it has the same problem - complete lack of gimball angles compared to proper pods like T220 or 101KS-N. Frankly, IDK why even bother making new pod, when T220 exists, just integrate it.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Tbh, if we check expensive* monofleets - it's a choice; all of them could easily afford a split. But many such fleet decisions were taken before it became obvious that low-altitude air is everyone's problem, including decisions by countries that never even anticipated defensive action.

*I don't think it's a stealth problem per se. Aircraft can be expensive and maintenance-heavy without LO; LO aircraft can potentially be maintainable.

Look more at the countries buying smaller fleets, say like Canada.

Two small fleets are more expensive to operate than one big fleet, unless the cheap-to-operate is orders of magnitude cheaper to operate. Two separate schools for maintainers, two separate sets of spare parts etc.

Which pushes the plane size down to, "you need to get the air-search radar small enough to hang under the wing of your T-6/PC-9/Super Tucano/AT802 and counterbalance it with an external fuel pod or something (targeting pod if required). Then hang "enough" missiles under the wings."

Yes, a prop-job. You need your operating costs THAT cheap to make the mixed fleet viable.

And between those 4 choices, the PC-9M/AT-6E or AT802 have the pylon count advantage over the Tucano.

• PC9M inboard pylons can hold 550lbs and the APG-68v9 or APG-83 radars are a touch under 400lbs without pod. Hang a podded APG-68 out of an F-16 on one side, hang a Sniper pod on the other, and you still have 2 pylons with a 250kg capacity and 2 pylons with a 110kg capacity, plus a centerline pylon plumbed for a fuel tank if needed. So that's a pair of AIM-9s or ASRAAMs on the outer pylons and howevermany APKWS rockets fit into 250kg on the two inner pylons (I think that's 7 per pylon, the launchers aren't weightless).
• AT802U/OA-1K wouldn't need all 3 EOTS eyeballs, but if we're going for the podded solution the loading plan is podded APG-68, 4x racks of APKWS, and a pair of Sidewinders or ASRAAM. And we tell the pilot to suck up one wing being 500lbs heavier than the other.

 

[aviatorRicky]

Thank you for sharing this link...!

View attachment 786997

View attachment 786998

View attachment 786999

T-50 KNS was a non-flying prototype. Its construction began in 2007 and was completed December 2009. It was plinth mounted to explore stealth characteristics. Like all prototypes it had non-stealthy metal construction meaning rivets and screws. PAK FA design had a major facelift after T-50-5 suffered an APU fire. T-50-6 under construction was cannibalized to rebuild the burned out 5th prototype which flew again as T-50-5R. T-50-6 was completed as the two seat FGFA, but when india abandoned the FGFA circa 2015, it became the T-50-6-1 (prototype Su57D)
T-50-5R was rebuilt with modular new stealthy air intake tunnels. Inlet screens were the facelift. designed to block radar energy with drop down screens. When in use, at subsonic speeds air was sucked-in through conformal grilles. This was based on the YF-23 patent.

 

[aviatorRicky]

Su-57
Su-57M
Su-57M1
Su-57E
Su-57P
Su-57UB
Su-57SM
I am so confused.

There is no Su57UB. the two seater is called the Su57D
Export version will be the Su57E powered by product 177 engines (AL-41S)
It is likely India will manufacture Su57D on HAL's Su30 MKI production lines, starting in 2026.

 

[aviatorRicky]

@EmoBirb

With Okhotnik right around the corner you get an answer about a two seater version of Su-57:
“If demand for it appears, it might be pushed into existence.”
So i guess VKS doesn’t see a need for it in the foreseeable future, otherwise they would be already working hard on it.

LTS is a private initiative by Sukhoi (UAC) aka VKS didn’t ask for it. And even then Sukhoi plans for the first two airframes to be a single seater and unmaned one. No two seater.

PAK FA T-50-6-1 was converted from a single seat aircraft to a tandem for India as the FG FA before that project was shelved.
If there was no interest it would have remained as a prototype.

The two-seater has been revived owing to India's interest.

 

[Squirrel]

Inlet screens were the facelift. designed to block radar energy with drop down screens. When in use, at subsonic speeds air was sucked-in through conformal grilles.

Those screens/ moving panels ( on Russian 'KLIN' ) have nothing to do with the blocking radar energy but with compression of the air mass flow.

There is special radar blocker as coaxial-radial grid.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...ng-and-development.15626/page-124#post-895027

https://www1.fips.ru/fips_servl/fips_servlet?DB=RUPAT&DocNumber=2623031

 

[lmaoxd]

It is likely India will manufacture Su57D on HAL's Su30 MKI production lines, starting in 2026.

no. lol. Even if India does eventually get the su57 it will get a squadron or two of the shelf and the rest made in India. the HAL su30MKI line apparently is 50% ready but its also needed for India's own su30MKI upgrade program so idk how HAL is going to work that out. Ig they'll shift it out to installation in other cities but its still only 50% ready. minimum 2 years for all the tooling.

That's assuming a contract is signed today which is not happening LOL. Putin has shown significant interest in Transfer of tech and has personally offered the su57 but the Ukraine war has now made the export of the su57 extraordinarily geopolitically sensitive if your not a tiny state(like algeria).

Maybe the next Indian state visit to russia or the next BRICS summit shows some progress but its geopolitically not viable at the moment especially considering India wants to grow its economy and russia doesn't really give much in that regard apart from natural resources.

 

[Scott Kenny]

It is likely India will manufacture Su57D on HAL's Su30 MKI production lines, starting in 2026.

Within 6 months? Because we are in the middle of 2026 right now?

You have a very different definition of "likely" than I do.

For that matter, I'd challenge a 6 month plant retooling as not even being possible in India.

Completely ignoring just how much political trouble India would get in for buying new airframes from Russia.

 

[Ainen]

Two small fleets are more expensive to operate than one big fleet, unless the cheap-to-operate is orders of magnitude cheaper to operate. Two separate schools for maintainers, two separate sets of spare parts etc.

You don't need orders. Just a couple times already make all the necessary difference over time.
More so, because it isn't just price - it's also lower sorry rate, unavoidable single optimization point, and so on.

Looking at how single large type fleets (or even attempts at) affected different air forces around the world, it appears to me that the very idea is poisonous force killer; Russian attempt to standardize on flankers, rolling into Su-57 is certainly an example here.

The only exception is if you don't need air force al all, like small European fleets. But should you suddenly need it... well, won't that be a shame.

 

[flateric]

T-50-5R was rebuilt with modular new stealthy air intake tunnels. Inlet screens were the facelift. designed to block radar energy with drop down screens. When in use, at subsonic speeds air was sucked-in through conformal grilles. This was based on the YF-23 patent.

utterly BS

 

[lmaoxd]

Within 6 months? Because we are in the middle of 2026 right now?

You have a very different definition of "likely" than I do.

For that matter, I'd challenge a 6 month plant retooling as not even being possible in India.

Completely ignoring just how much political trouble India would get in for buying new airframes from Russia.

6 month retooling is not possible anywhere on earth lol. You need at minimum 2 years for all the tools to be set up and running to start LRIP and then another year after that to start mass production. No one has bypassed this .

 

[Scott Kenny]

6 month retooling is not possible anywhere on earth lol. You need at minimum 2 years for all the tools to be set up and running to start LRIP and then another year after that to start mass production. No one has bypassed this .

It's been done in WW2, but hasn't happened since.

 

[Elysium]

Sorry for the random tangent, but I've just remembered the biggest controversy of the Su-57 from a decade ago. I might be getting the details wrong, but afair the airframe of the Su-57was originally planned to be made from a special aluminum alloy (and the early prototypes actually were), which could withstand a far large amount of stress cycles than regular aircraft-grade Al alloys, and thus would be suitable in replacing titanium, while being much cheaper and easier to work with.

The supplier shipped a sample of this new alloy was to Sukhoi, they tested it, were happy with it, and proceeded to order a large batch of the stuff to build the initial airframes.. Then to their surprise, during testing the new airframes started cracking way before they were supposed to. When sampling the material of the airframes, they found the new batch of the alloy fell short of the properties of the sample that was delivered.

The issue was so bad, they had to redesing the whole plane, and go back to using titanium, which caused a major delay and cost bump.
Not sure how accurately I recall the story, but I think that was the gist of it. What was the follow up? Did the metallurgy supplier get sued and/or replaced? Did people lose their heads over this? Was it simple fraud on the metallurgist's part or was their something more going on. Did they finally manage to make this new Al alloy?

 

[flateric]

You are getting details somewhat very wrong. It was discussed here many, many times before. Search for 1461. Sukhoi have discovered problems quite early and used other materials instead. Initial leak of problems was much earlier than information has appeared in Sukhoi anniversary book
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...ght-testing-and-development.15626/post-269614
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...ght-testing-and-development.15626/post-733779

 

[Squirrel]

Some Su-57's in the Dzyomgi AB. We can see some new shelters there and on the first pic, it seems there is new assembly hall.


''Взгляд из космоса на КнААЗ, где производят Су-57 и Су-35, и аэродром Дземги.

В мае 2026 года в юго-западной части аэропорта началось строительство 4 ангаров для самолетов. В конце июня 2026 года на главном перроне аэродрома началось строительство еще одного укрытия для самолетов.

В некоторых из укрытий можете увидеть сразу несколько бортов. Также в юго-западной части авиационного завода близится к завершению строительство нового цеха, начатое в 2024 году.''


''A view from space of KnAAZ—where the Su-57 and Su-35 are manufactured—and the Dzemgi airfield.

In May 2026, construction of four aircraft hangars began in the southwestern part of the airfield. In late June 2026, work started on another aircraft shelter on the airfield's main apron.
Multiple aircraft can be seen inside some of the shelters. Additionally, the construction of a new workshop—begun in 2024—is nearing completion in the southwestern section of the aircraft plant.''

8 pics from 02 July 2026.

Source: https://vk.com/wall-220675925_175972

 

[Geo]

Supporters of the Su-57, whether from Russia or elsewhere, often go to great lengths to refute claims about the Felon's poor surface finish in relation to its stealth requirements. They compare production aircraft with their Western counterparts and try to argue that the images showing an inferior surface were deliberately circulated close-up photos of prototype aircraft.

And yet this photo was published today by UAC itself. Whether it was intentional, or whether they actually believe this kind of retarded PR helps, is anyone's guess. That's their business.

Personally, if I were in charge, I'd either shut down the entire marketing department or fire everyone responsible for this.

 

[AGS-1787]

Oh boy there we go again

 

[ComradeVortex]

What even is the purpose of post 5306?

 

[Squirrel]

For @Geo : prototype vs serial/operational fighter. Differences ....

Sorry but pic was presented several times so far.

 

[EmoBirb]

For @Geo : prototype vs serial/operational fighter. Differences ....

Sorry but pic was presented several times so far.

He's aware of the differences, as are most of us. His point was that UAC's marketing department is doing a terrible job.

To which I definitely agree, they're in a position to create stunning high-res content involving actual serial airframes. Instead they do the shit @Geo mentioned above.

To put it into perspective, it's like Lockheed carting around and using the YF-22 for their ads.

 

[flateric]

From my experience I can suggest that it's really hard for UAC now to combine serial machine and good photographer at one place, at one time.

 

[lmaoxd]

From my experience I can suggest that it's really hard for UAC now to combine serial machine and good photographer at one place, at one time.

The VKS/RuAF might also be restricting the imgs of the serial versions.

 

[Squirrel]

The VKS/RuAF might also be restricting the imgs of the serial versions.

Definitely but in contrary ,UAC is not doing that.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4976949.html

 

[Life of Tyo]

Supporters of the Su-57, whether from Russia or elsewhere, often go to great lengths to refute claims about the Felon's poor surface finish in relation to its stealth requirements. They compare production aircraft with their Western counterparts and try to argue that the images showing an inferior surface were deliberately circulated close-up photos of prototype aircraft.

And yet this photo was published today by UAC itself. Whether it was intentional, or whether they actually believe this kind of retarded PR helps, is anyone's guess. That's their business.

Personally, if I were in charge, I'd either shut down the entire marketing department or fire everyone responsible for this.
View attachment 817903

yeah it,s T-50-9

 

[TMA1]

yeah... I'm essentially at the "purdy wind wagons go brrr!" at this point.

 

[flateric]

T-50KNS (missing HUD)
(C) Nina Padalko/UAC

 

[Squirrel]

...

 

[Wotan]

https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/...ti-drone-russia-ukraine-omsk-refinery-strike/

"Photographic evidence from Akhtubinsk revealed Su-57 airframes carrying an unusual external loadout of two to four R-73 or R-74 (RVV-MD) infrared-guided short-range missiles mounted openly on underwing pylons rather than housed within the aircraft’s stealth-preserving internal weapons bays.

These missiles were selected for their high off-boresight engagement envelope and, in several variants, thrust-vectoring control, both decisive advantages when engaging slow, low-altitude, manoeuvrable unmanned targets at within-visual-range distances.

The decision to mount them externally reflects a deliberate trade-off, because the bulkier R-73 variant is largely incompatible with the Su-57’s internal side bays, forcing designers to sacrifice radar cross-section discipline for magazine depth against saturation attacks.

Complementing the missile loadout, the modified airframes carried an external electro-optical targeting pod, widely assessed as a variant of the 101KS-N system, mounted beneath the left engine nacelle to identify small, low-radar-cross-section aerial threats."

"
The Russian case is distinguished by the extreme scarcity of the platform committed, because Russia’s operational Su-57 fleet is estimated at only twenty to thirty-five serial production aircraft as of mid-2026, supplemented by roughly ten prototype airframes.

Diverting even a fraction of this limited inventory to drone interception directly reduces the number of airframes available for the Su-57’s intended missions, including standoff strikes using Kh-59 and Kh-69 munitions and suppression of Ukrainian air defences.

The opportunity cost is compounded by the fact that each Su-57 flight hour represents a disproportionately expensive commitment of maintenance and pilot resources relative to the low-value drone targets it now destroys.
"

 

[FighterJock]

I would likely think that it is the R-74 (RVV-MD) that the photo is showing as it is the more modern missile than the R-73, but correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Squirrel]

The decision to mount them externally reflects a deliberate trade-off, because the bulkier R-73 variant is largely incompatible with the Su-57’s internal side bays, forcing designers to sacrifice radar cross-section discipline for magazine depth against saturation attacks.

Izdeliye 750 ( R-74M/ML) ,max 4 pcs under the wings ,Izdeliye 760 ( R-74M2) max 6 pcs under the wings and inside of those two side weapon compartments.

 

[Squirrel]

I hope it is interesting question ...

This large hose is certainly not for fuel, but for ?

 

[flateric]

PCA hose

 

[Scott Kenny]

This large hose is certainly not for fuel, but for ?

Air starter.