Su-57
5th-generation multirole (stealth)
Russian 5th-generation stealth fighter (PAK-FA). Low observability, supercruise ambition, internal weapon bays and advanced sensor fusion. Still in limited numbers; represents the future direction of the VKS: stealth, network-centric and multirole. Operational maturity and numbers remain limited. In Aug 2026 Russia showed a two-seat demonstrator (Su-57D, rebuilt test airframe T-50-5, first flight May 2026) and claims a role for it as a flying command post for unmanned systems such as the S-70 Okhotnik plus swarm/group control — a state claim without test results, not independently confirmed.
Learn more in the AirDefense Academy →Dimensionsfor imagery analysis
- Length × wingspan × height
- 20.1 × 14.1 × 4.6 m
- Max. take-off weight
- 34,000–35,000 kg
- Empty weight
- 18,000–18,500 kg
- Dimension source
- Wikipedia; WEG (ODIN)
General
- Role
- Stealth multirole / air superiority
- Crew
- 1 (two-seat Su-57D demonstrator in testing)
- Max speed
- Mach 2
- Ceiling
- 65,600 ft
- Combat radius
- ≈ 810 NM
- Status
- Limited series production
- Numbers
- ≈20 delivered to units (Militarnyi, Sep 2026; Russian site RuAviation claims ≈50), contract for 76 aircraft through 2028; production delayed by a fire at KnAAZ (Apr 2026)
Armament
- Internal AAM
- R-77M, R-74M2
- Air-ground
- Kh-38M, Kh-59MK2 (internal)
- Gun
- GSh-30-1 30 mm
Sensors / EW
- Radar
- N036 Byelka AESA (+ side arrays)
- EO
- 101KS Atoll IRST/EOTS
- Signature
- Reduced frontal RCS
Threat
- Primary threat
- Stealth BVR + sensor fusion
- Countermeasure
- VLO detection (low band), network SA
- Threat level
- High at mature numbers — limited now
News archive 8
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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Ukrainian intelligence: Russia can probably add 10–15 Su-34s a year, but builds no new Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s or Su-24s
In a reply published by the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN on 23 October, Ukraine's military intelligence agency HUR said Russian aircraft plants still produce modern fighter-bombers and fighters, enough to partly cover losses. Older bombers are different: Russia has no serial production of new Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s or Su-24s and keeps them flying through repairs a…
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Russia's Dan-T munition blurs line between UAVs, cruise missiles — Rostec claims S-71M, S-71K and Dan-T jet drones form a new drone-missile class
Russian state corporation Rostec, in comments to the Defence Ministry newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (30 September) and to TASS, claims that three of its newest jet-powered strike drones — the S-71M, S-71K and Dan-T — form a new category between attack drones and cruise missiles. Rostec's reasoning: a classic cruise missile is already a fixed-wing UAV, but not e…
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Russia's VKS receives second Su-57 batch of 2026 amid slow production and post-fire disruption at KnAAZ
On 24 September 2026 the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec) announced it had handed over a new batch of Su-57 fifth-generation fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), the second delivery this year after a batch in February. According to the state-owned manufacturer, the aircraft come in a "new technical configuration" with updated onb…
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Rostec touts 'exceptional' range of export Su-57E
SINGLE SOURCE — Russian, non-official outlet (Topwar.ru); not independently verified. State conglomerate Rostec claims the export variant of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter, the Su-57E, has an 'exceptional' range and airtime. The claim follows the aircraft's flight to the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt (September 8-10), during which it made a si…
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Российский ОПК в Египте: барражирующие боеприпасы, истребители 5 поколения и ПВО нового поколения
At the El Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt, Russia's defense industry showcased a broad range of export-oriented weapon systems to potential buyers across North Africa and the Middle East, according to Topwar. Among the aircraft on display were the Su-57Ė — the export version of Russia's fifth-generation fighter — shown both statically and in fli…
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Russia markets 'combat-proven' weapons for export at Egypt's El Alamein Airshow, claims new Su-57E deals
Ahead of the El Alamein International Airshow (EIA 2026, Egypt, 8–10 September), Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) mounted a sales push built around systems Moscow calls "combat-proven" in Ukraine. Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said on 7 September that Russia has signed new export contracts for t…
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InformNapalm claims Ukrainian hack caused Russian air defence to shoot down its own Su-57 near Moscow
The Ukrainian OSINT/intelligence-affiliated group InformNapalm claims, as reported by Censor.net on 23 July 2026, that Ukrainian intelligence services carried out a combined HUMINT and CYBINT operation against Russia's 'BARS Moscow' air-defence formation, tasked with protecting the capital region from Ukrainian long-range drones — the same unit named in Rus…
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Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 Takes Flight, Giving Europe a Powerful New Rival to Russia's Su-35 and Su-57
On 14 July 2026, the first German Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 aircraft made its maiden flight at Airbus' Military Aircraft Centre in Manching, under Germany's Project Quadriga procurement. The headline upgrade is the ECRS Mk 1 AESA radar, which the manufacturer says delivers greater detection range, faster target acquisition, improved tracking accuracy, a…