The Stealth Fighter Russia is Too Scared to Deploy?

In the 1970s, Soviet engineers conceived the ideal stealth fighter. It was the middle of the Cold War, and the nation needed a modern, multifunctional fighter.

As Sukhoi developed the next-generation S-57, the company kick-started a new era in aviation for the country. But never did they foresee that the Soviet Union would fall apart before their dream stealth fighter came through.

The cuts in funding and multiple delays dragged the project into the 2000s, but the Sukhoi-57 was still ready to serve its country, albeit in a different shape.

It didn’t matter if the S-57 was conceived 40 years ago; it was more than ready to compete against the finest American aircraft…

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[TheRealRedRooster]

Well, the Su-57 is so stealthy, it is nowhere to be seen... ;-)

[ktwei]

SU57s are being build as quickly as America builds Supercarriers.

[nigeldepledge]

I've seen the Su-57 described as "low visibility" rather than an actual stealth fighter. Its radar cross-section is probably in the region of 1 - 2 m^2, which is much larger than that of an F-22 or F-35.

[christopherwebb]

If the Su-57 was anywhere near a good as the F-22, then Russia would be keeping it to themselves, and not trying to sell it to other nations.

[chrislong]

Those are about the least stealthy engines I could have imagined!
I imagine that their IR signature is really high!
They don't even make some vague, lame attempt to shroud them!

Still, it's a sweet-looking jet!

[DOGMA]

The reason why there aren't many SU57's is that the supply chain of woodscrews has been severely disrupted.

[seanjarnigan]

This sounds like what our dev team calls a "Tiger Team Project". It get all the money and all the best engineers but never goes anywhere.

[pointman]

To be fair, these are the dudes saying their combat suits had a bunch of stuff like super protective armor, and built in radio, but they were deployed with cardbord armor, old russian weapons, and helmets made of hard plastic.

[IHWKR]

As a former maintainer on F-15E's, the one thing I can rightfully give Russia credit for is their fighters are absolutely beautiful.

[papafritz]

Just to let everyone know this “stealth” fighter has the same radar signature as an f18 a non stealth plane

[jonathanwick]

The Su-57 is so stealthy it's never been spotted in action. LOL

[Steven]

No amount of F-22s and F-35s could defeat a squadron of SU-57s!



Because there aren't enough functional SU-57s to make a squadron.

[nothing]

I love the looks of the SU-57. It is a gorgeous aircraft. Ain't no way it's stealthy with those exposed engines and rivets. Head to head combat with a F-22, raptor will remain king.

[LukeDodge]

I always wished the Berkut was produced. Its gorgeous and ballsy.

[CinimodNorton]

And here I thought it was because they were afraid of a U.S. Airforce Colonel who stole the Soviets most advanced aircraft in 1982. Thank you, Mitchell Grant.

[usmc]

It’s not stealthy, it’s ‘stealth curious’!

[travelswithbob]

I watched a recent conversation on YouTube where a retired American officer stated that Russia was using their advanced fighters by keeping them within Russian airspace while firing missiles that have a range of about 200 miles to take down Ukrainian planes within Ukraine itself. Does that make sense?

[aaronlopez]

The S-57 reminds me of the T-14 Armata. What a coincidence. Neither of the platforms has been tested in a battle space. And with current questions concerning how reliable they are, will see how many they sell.

[joedizzelfoerizle]

I hope the ejection seat work because they will 100% need them

[matthewsecord]

What bothers me is how generally speaking, most kick ass aircraft, look kick ass. I have to wonder if design starts with a flash gorden idea and then becomes reverse engineered to make it work?