Ten years in flight tests and not yet operational, the Sukhoi fifth-generation fighter—NATO reporting codename “Felon”—is in a search of foreign orders. The type won export clearance last summer, for the single-seater version dubbed the Su-57E.
In an extraordinary effort to sell this airplane, Russian president Vladimir Putin personally toured his Turkish counterpart around a Su-57 prototype at MAKS’2019. He did not hide the intent to talk Recep Tayyip Erdoğan into purchasing a quantity of these jets in the wake of Washington’s decision to kick the Turks out of the U.S.-led F-35 program. While Ankara is still thinking whether to accept such a proposal, a number of other countries have reportedly approached Moscow on the topic.
The Chinese state media has recently reported about Beijing’s interest in purchasing a quantity of the new Russian fighters. This would give China access to some state-of-the-art technologies that the local industry needs to improve J-20 and J-21, the two next-gen fighter designs of its own. Meantime, press reports also indicate that Algeria looks like having placed an order for 14 aircraft, while Myanmar, Peru, Pakistan, and Iran are seeking ways to do so.
Earlier, Moscow made proposals to Malaysia and India. In 2010, New Delhi received an exclusive offer to use the Su-57, then known under the company’s designation T-50, as a platform for co-development of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). In effect, the FGFA would be a twin-seat version tailored for the Indian air force and available for export to other countries.
At first, the Indians appeared enthusiastic about working with the Russians on a brand-new fighter design. Later, however, their interest evaporated. About two years ago New Delhi made the decision to cancel the FGFA and focus instead on the purely national project, known as ANKA.
More recently, though, the Indian air force officials said they might consider buying some Su-57Es from Moscow after the type enters service with the Russian Air and Space Force (VKS).
Expected last year, the entry into service was indefinitely postponed following the crash of the first production example on December 24. The pilot ejected to safety, but the airplane disintegrated on impact, which makes it difficult to find the cause. Reportedly, the airplane went out of control when performing an engine check.
In an interview on the eve of the Singapore Airshow, Yuri Slyusar, president of United Aircraft Corporation which controls Sukhoi, acknowledged that this incident was “unpleasant” to the manufacturer while observing that such “high-tech, complex equipment” may develop failures during testing. Since the type’s maiden flight in January 2010, this has been the only material loss in the course of “several thousand flights” performed on ten operable prototypes assembled from 2010 through to 2017. Slyusar sees the need for additional “vigorous and numerous trials” before the type is rendered ready for squadron service. The ongoing investigation shall make the Su-57 “even more advanced a system,” he added.
A large number of tests have yet to be conducted on weaponry since the Su-57 “shall use a large number of new air-launched munitions,” some of which are already in existence, while others continue in development. Besides, the manufacturer continues attesting an experimental example of the Item 30 motor on one refurbished prototype. “Testing of the next-generation engine proceeds aggressively under a special program,” Slyusar said. Admittedly, only 16 flights had been performed since Item 30 entered trials in late 2017.
It remains unclear how many deliverable Su-57s will receive the already certified AL-41F-1M engines before production shifts to the more modern ones. The manufacturing plant in Komsomolsk-upon-Amur on the Russian Pacific coast commenced preparations for Su-57 serial production in 2013. However, in 2017, the defense ministry decided to postpone it, arguing that the Su-35S attested in Syria should better stay in production until such time the Su-57 becomes mature enough for a qualitative purchase. President Putin intervened in May 2019, announcing the purchase of 76 aircraft and witnessing the contract being signed at ARMY’2019 International Military-Technical Forum.
As part of the type’s state acceptance trials, a handful of operable prototypes had been combat tested in Syria. The first deployment in the theatre took place in February 2018, and a second one occurred sometime last year. Speaking to an assembly of 150 foreign military envoys in Moscow on December 17, the chief of staff of the Russian Armed Forces, also acting first deputy defense minister, Gen. Valery Gerasimov said that during the second deployment “all tasks planned were successfully performed.“
The rapid development of unmanned aircraft technologies prompted Sukhoi to develop the S-70 Okhotnik (Russian for “Hunter”), a large stealth UCAV purposely designed to interact with the Su-57 with which it shares some onboard equipment. The whole concept is similar to the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, also known as the Loyal Wingman project. It is believed that a pair made of a manned fighter and a stealth UCAV can prove useful against valuable targets under the protection of a strong air defense system. Entering flight tests last year, the S-70 has generated huge interest from China and other long-standing customers for Russian equipment. In case this drone wins export clearance, it will further increase the Su-57E’s attractiveness in the global market for defense equipment.