Su-57 Felon

Russia's first purported 5th-generation stealth fighter, designed for air superiority and multirole missions. Despite a protracted development, it has entered service in limited numbers and seen restricted use over Ukraine, primarily for standoff strikes.

Overview

The Sukhoi Su-57, designated "Felon" by NATO, is Russia's first domestically designed and produced aircraft marketed as a fifth-generation stealth fighter. Developed to compete with Western counterparts like the F-22 and F-35, the Su-57 is a twin-engine, single-seat, multirole aircraft intended for air superiority and deep-strike missions. Its development has been lengthy, and it has entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in very small numbers. Its true stealth and sensor-fusion capabilities are a subject of debate among Western and Ukrainian analysts, with some characterizing it as a highly advanced 4++ generation fighter rather than a true fifth-generation platform.

Development

The Su-57 originated from the PAK FA (Perspektivnyy Aviatsionnyy Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii, "Prospective Aeronautical Complex of Frontline Aviation") program, which aimed to develop a next-generation fighter for the Russian Air Force. The prototype, known as the T-50, conducted its maiden flight on January 29, 2010, according to Militarnyi. The program faced numerous delays and challenges, including the withdrawal of India as a development partner. The first serial-production Su-57 formally entered service with the VKS in late 2020. Production rates remain low, with estimates placing the total fleet size at around 21 to 30 aircraft by early 2025, according to Britannica and other defense analysts.

🔒 The rest of the Su-57 Felon file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Stop here and you miss the part that actually matters: how it performs and where it falls short, its combat record, how it stacks up head-to-head against its real counterparts, the complete specifications table, and our analysts’ procurement, supplier and assessment notes. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →