Sukhoi Su-57: Russia’s Stealth Superfighter Unmasked – Full Specs, Costs, and Rival Showdown

Overview and Development History

Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters in flight during a demonstration. The Sukhoi Su-57, known by its NATO codename “Felon,” is Russia’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Developed under the PAK FA program (Perspektivnyy Aviatsionnyy Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii – “Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation”), the Su-57 was designed to replace aging Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters with a multirole aircraft boasting stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics en.defence-ua.com armyrecognition.com. Sukhoi’s design beat competing concepts in the early 2000s, and renowned engineer Alexander Davidenko led the project by 2002 armyrecognition.com. The first prototype (T-50) had its maiden flight on January 29, 2010 en.defence-ua.com armyrecognition.com – nearly two decades after the American F-22 Raptor, the world’s first stealth fighter.

After years of testing over a dozen prototypes, the aircraft was officially christened “Su-57” in 2017 armyrecognition.com. Development saw international collaboration: in 2007 India joined as a partner to create a custom variant called FGFA, investing in a project that was later shelved in 2018 due to cost and performance disagreements armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. Despite delays – including the loss of a prototype in 2019 – the first production Su-57 was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020, marking its entry into service armyrecognition.com. Production has been slow but ongoing; as of 2024 only a few dozen are in Russian service, partly due to sanctions affecting high-tech components en.defence-ua.com en.defence-ua.com. In a notable milestone, Russia unveiled an export version (Su-57E) and secured its first foreign buyer in 2024, widely believed to be Algeria, which announced a contract for an initial batch of six Su-57E fighters armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. This marked the Su-57’s debut on the global market, signaling Russia’s intent to pitch it as an alternative to Western stealth jets.

Technical Specifications and Design

Dimensions and Stealth Design

In size and profile, the Su-57 is comparable to other large twin-engine fighters. It measures about 20.1 meters in length, 14.0 meters in wingspan, and 4.8 meters in height, giving it a commanding presence on the tarmac defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. Its broad wing area (~79 m²) and blended fuselage enable high lift and agility. The design features a sleek aerodynamic layout with twin outward-canted tail fins and all-moving tailplanes. Notably, unlike some contemporaries (e.g. China’s canard-equipped J-20), the Su-57 does not use canard forewings – a choice to reduce radar signature by avoiding extra forward surfaces. The airframe makes extensive use of composite materials and radar-absorbing coatings, which significantly reduce its radar cross-section (RCS) armyrecognition.com. Key stealth shaping techniques are evident: the fuselage and wing edges have angled, serrated geometry, and engines are spaced within the fuselage to minimize radar returns. All weapons are carried internally during stealth missions, avoiding protrusions that would reflect radar waves armyrecognition.com. These features, along with an advanced plasma-frequent radar absorber coating, give the Su-57 a low observability profile, reportedly making it hard to detect on radar compared to older fighters (exact RCS figures remain classified). According to Rostec, the Su-57’s stealth enables it to operate against modern air defenses while “remaining undetected” through careful shaping and materials armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com.

Despite prioritizing stealth, the Su-57’s designers balanced it with aerodynamic performance. The jet includes movable leading-edge flaps and flaperons for agility, plus a novel “side missile bay” configuration that preserves stealth while allowing quick employment of short-range missiles. Engineers even tested components on older prototypes (like the Su-47 and Su-27M) to perfect internal bays and flight controls armyrecognition.com. It’s worth noting that the Su-57’s current engine exhausts are round and unshielded, which likely increases infrared and radar observability from the rear compared to the F-22’s flat nozzles. Russia has hinted at a future modified nozzle to reduce this signature. Overall, the Su-57’s design reflects a compromise between stealth and the super-maneuverability inherent in Sukhoi’s fighter lineage.

Engines and Performance (Speed, Range, Maneuverability)

Powering the Su-57 are two massive turbofan engines that give the fighter its speed and acrobatic prowess. The initial production models are equipped with NPO Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofans (also designated Izdeliye 117) armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. Each engine produces about 88.3 kN of dry thrust and 142 kN with afterburner (around 14,500 kgf, or ~32,000 lbf, in afterburner) armyrecognition.com defensemirror.com. Using both engines, the Su-57 can generate over 28 tons of thrust, allowing it to reach speeds of Mach 2.0 at altitude (approximately 2,135 km/h) armyrecognition.com defensemirror.com. There are even claims of a top speed up to Mach 2.45 (~2,600 km/h) under certain conditions armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, which would make it one of the fastest fifth-generation jets. Crucially, the Su-57 is designed for supercruise – sustained supersonic flight without afterburners. With current engines it can supercruise at about Mach 1.3 (≈1,400 km/h) armyrecognition.com, enabling quick repositioning and intercepts while conserving fuel. An upgraded engine, the Saturn “Izdeliye 30”, is under development and expected to provide even more thrust (~170 kN) and efficiency armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. Future Su-57M variants with this engine should further improve speed and supercruise performance.

The Su-57’s range is noteworthy, thanks to its large fuel capacity and efficient aerodynamics. It carries about 10,300 kg of internal fuel armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, giving it an unrefueled range on internal fuel of roughly 3,500 km in a cruise profile armyrecognition.com defensemirror.com. Its combat radius (distance to target and back with reserves) is around 1,250 km under typical mission conditions armyrecognition.com, which newer data suggests could extend up to ~1,500–1,800 km in optimal scenarios armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. For ferry flights, it can be fitted with two drop-tanks to reach about 4,500 km range armyrecognition.com. This gives the Su-57 greater reach than smaller single-engine jets like the F-35 (which has ~2,200 km range) defensemirror.com. The service ceiling is around 20,000 m (66,000 ft) armyrecognition.com, allowing operations at extreme altitudes.

Maneuverability is a hallmark of the Sukhoi lineage, and the Su-57 fully lives up to it. It features 3D thrust-vectoring nozzles on its engines, which can gimbal in multiple directions to direct thrust. This, combined with advanced digital flight controls, gives the Su-57 supermaneuverability – the ability to perform controlled flight beyond conventional angles of attack. It can execute dramatic post-stall maneuvers like the famous “cobra” and “bell” maneuvers, potentially out-turning and out-climbing opponents in a dogfight armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. The instantaneous turn rates and high-alpha stability are aided by the jet’s relaxed static stability design. The aircraft’s thrust-to-weight ratio (with a normal load) is well over 1:1, meaning it can accelerate straight upward – its climb rate is quoted around 21,000 m per minute armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, an extremely high figure. Structurally, it is built to sustain up to +9 g maneuvers common to modern fighters. Despite the agility, the Su-57 is also a stable weapons platform at high angle of attack, thanks to its sophisticated fly-by-wire system. In sum, the Su-57 marries raw power with cutting-edge vectoring to achieve a level of agility on par with or exceeding other fifth-gen fighters. Russian test pilots have praised its handling, and its ability to maintain control at very low speeds and high angles could provide an edge in close-in dogfights.

Radar and Avionics

At the heart of the Su-57’s avionics suite is the powerful Sh-121 Multifunction Integrated Radio Electronic System (MIRES), built around the N036 “Byelka” AESA radar armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. This advanced X-band radar has an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna in the nose, providing high-resolution tracking of multiple targets. With thousands of T/R modules, the N036 can reportedly track up to 60 targets and engage 16 simultaneously at long ranges (exact figures are classified). Uniquely, the Su-57 also mounts additional AESA radar apertures on the aircraft – often called “cheek” or side-array radars. These L-band arrays in the wing leading edges serve dual roles: they act as IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe) transponders armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com and potentially assist in detecting stealth aircraft (L-band radar waves are less attenuated by stealth shaping). The side radars broaden the field of view, giving the pilot greater angular coverage than a single nose radar alone armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com.

To complement the radar, the Su-57 features the 101KS “Atoll” electro-optical system, which includes an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. This IRST – a small turret just forward of the cockpit – can detect the heat signatures of other aircraft without using radar, allowing passive tracking of aerial targets (particularly useful against stealthy or jamming opponents). The 101KS suite also provides a distributed set of infrared sensors for missile approach warning and laser-based countermeasures to deceive heat-seeking missiles armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. Essentially, the Su-57 has a spherical awareness similar in concept to the F-35’s DAS (Distributed Aperture System), though implemented differently. For electronic warfare, an L402 “Himalayas” ECM suite is carried, likely in wing strakes and pods, which can detect, jam, and deceive enemy radars armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. This improves survivability in hostile airspace by blinding or confusing enemy SAMs and radars.

All these sensors are deeply integrated via high-speed data networks and a powerful onboard computer often nicknamed the “electronic second pilot.” Using sensor fusion, the Su-57’s avionics combine radar tracks, IR detections, and other data into a single tactical picture for the pilot defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. The pilot’s situational awareness is further enhanced by secure datalinks that network the Su-57 with friendly aircraft and ground systems, similar to the American Link-16. Communication systems are encrypted and designed for real-time data sharing in network-centric warfare armyrecognition.com. In essence, the Su-57 is not just a fast fighter, but an “information platform” – it can act as a mini-AWACS by using its sensors to feed data to other units. This capability was demonstrated when Su-57s reportedly coordinated with other Russian fighters and even with the Okhotnik-B combat drone as a loyal wingman in tests. Such advanced avionics and sensor fusion place the Su-57 firmly in the fifth-generation category, on par with Western peers in terms of electronic sophistication.

Armament Capacity and Weapons

One of the Su-57’s defining features is its versatile and sizable weapons load, tailored for both air combat and strike missions. The aircraft is built with two large internal weapon bays in the central fuselage and two smaller side bays at the wing roots (near the engine intakes) armyrecognition.com. This internal carriage allows it to remain stealthy while armed. In air-to-air configuration, a Su-57 can carry up to 6 missiles internally – typically four beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles in the main bays and one short-range missile in each side bay defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. For BVR engagements, it deploys weapons like the R-77M (AA-12 variant) – an active radar-guided missile analogous to the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The R-77M features an upgraded seeker and extended range, making it lethal at distances well beyond 100 km armyrecognition.com. An even longer-range option is the R-37M (AA-13), a massive air-to-air missile originally for interceptors that the Su-57 can employ to threaten high-value targets (AWACS or tankers) at ranges of 200–300 km armyrecognition.com. For close combat, the Su-57’s side bays hold R-74M2 infrared-guided dogfight missiles (an improved Archer/AA-11), allowing high off-boresight shots guided by the pilot’s helmet sight armyrecognition.com. These missiles give the Su-57 agile “snap-shot” ability in within-visual-range fights. In total, an air-superiority loaded Su-57 matches the F-22’s typical load of 6 BVR + 2 WVR missiles internally af.mil af.mil.

The Su-57 is equally adept at strike missions. It can carry a variety of precision-guided air-to-ground munitions internally, turning it into a stealth attacker. Confirmed options include up to 4× Kh-38M tactical air-to-surface missiles (for ground targets or vehicles) and 4× Kh-59MK2 cruise missiles for long-range strikes armyrecognition.com. The Kh-59MK2 is a stealthy cruise missile with a 290+ km range, designed to fit inside the bay and attack high-value targets. There is also a Kh-69 standoff missile cited for the Su-57 armyrecognition.com. For anti-ship roles, it can carry weapons like the Kh-35U or Kh-31 anti-ship missiles (typically two internally or on wing stations) armyrecognition.com. To suppress enemy air defenses, the Su-57 can launch up to 4× Kh-58UShK anti-radiation missiles, homing on radar emitters armyrecognition.com. In a bombing role, it can deliver guided bombs such as the KAB-250 and KAB-500 precision bombs, and even specialized munitions like the 500-kg “Drill” stealthy guided cluster bomb armyrecognition.com. For missions where stealth is less a factor (or once air superiority is achieved), the Su-57 has six external hardpoints under the wings armyrecognition.com. These allow it to carry additional ordnance or fuel tanks, boosting total payload up to 10,000 kg (22,000 lbs) of weapons in mixed configurations armyrecognition.com. It’s even indicated that nuclear-capable weapons could be carried on external stations if required armyrecognition.com.

No fighter is complete without a gun: the Su-57 comes armed with an internal 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds armyrecognition.com. This cannon, mounted internally on the right side of the fuselage, gives the pilot a close-range weapon for dogfights or strafing runs. It’s the same formidable cannon found on prior Flanker jets, capable of high rates of fire to shred targets in a dogfight. Overall, the Su-57’s armament suite is comprehensive and flexible, spanning the full spectrum from air dominance to ground attack. It can engage “a wide variety of targets using a broad range of precision weapons, all while remaining undetected”, as noted by UAC armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. This multirole firepower is a key selling point of the Su-57, distinguishing it from the pure air-superiority focus of the earlier F-22.

Pilot Cockpit and Helmet Systems

The Su-57’s cockpit is a blend of traditional Russian design and modern fighter innovation, built to maximize pilot effectiveness in complex missions. It is a single-seat fighter (a twin-seat derivative was planned for India but has not been realized yet) armyrecognition.com. The cockpit features large multifunction color displays and a wide head-up display (HUD) that provide critical flight and targeting information. Importantly, the Su-57 is equipped with a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) system for the pilot armyrecognition.com. This advanced helmet allows crucial data – targeting cues, flight metrics, warnings – to be projected on the visor, so the pilot can keep eyes out of the cockpit and still see information defence-blog.com defence-blog.com. The HMD is integrated with the weapons and sensor systems; for example, the pilot can simply turn his head toward a target and designate it for an R-74M2 heat-seeking missile via the helmet sight. This capability drastically improves off-boresight engagement angles in dogfights, similar to the American JHMCS and Chinese HMS systems in other jets.

Russia has been continually improving the pilot’s gear. In late 2024, a next-generation helmet-mounted targeting system (НСЦ in Russian) was unveiled specifically for Su-57 pilots defence-blog.com. This new helmet draws inspiration from the F-35’s Gen III Helmet Mounted Display and aims to address issues of fit, comfort, and information overload seen in older helmets defence-blog.com defence-blog.com. It projects high-resolution flight and targeting data directly onto the visor, effectively giving the pilot a real-time “heads-up” view of the battle space without looking down at cockpit screens defence-blog.com defence-blog.com. Enhanced situational awareness features allow the pilot to see sensor-fused views – potentially even infrared imagery from the 101KS sensors – through the visor, akin to the F-35’s ability to “look through” the aircraft. The helmet is also said to improve night vision integration and has better ergonomics for reduced fatigue defence-blog.com. Sukhoi integrating such a system underscores the emphasis on making the pilot a seamless part of the Su-57’s sensor-weapons loop.

For life support, the Su-57 carries an advanced K-36D-5 ejection seat, an evolution of the K-36 series famed for its reliability. This zero-zero ejection seat can save the pilot even at zero altitude and zero speed, useful in low-level emergencies. The pilot wears a modern g-suit to sustain high-g maneuvers and likely a full pressure suit for high-altitude operations. The combination of modern glass cockpit, HMD, and automated systems reduces pilot workload. Many functions are highly computerized; a mission computer (often called a digital “co-pilot”) can manage tasks like target prioritization and defensive countermeasures, letting the pilot focus on tactical decisions economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com. Communication and data-link controls are on the HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle-And-Stick), so the pilot can command drones or coordinate with wingmen without breaking focus. In summary, the Su-57’s pilot interface is designed to be “accessible yet information-rich,” giving a solitary pilot superior command of the jet’s capabilities. As Russian officials put it, the new helmet and cockpit tools “match the aircraft’s sophisticated design” defence-blog.com, ensuring the human in the loop can fully exploit this cutting-edge fighter.

Unit Cost and Procurement

One of the striking aspects of the Su-57 program has been its cost-effectiveness (at least on paper) relative to other fifth-generation fighters. The announced unit procurement cost of a Su-57 is around $50 million per aircraft en.defence-ua.com armyrecognition.com. In 2019, the Russian government inked a deal for 76 Su-57s at a reported price of approximately $50 million each, a figure that undercuts most Western stealth jets en.defence-ua.com. By comparison, the American F-22 Raptor had a unit cost of about $140–150 million (flyaway) af.mil af.mil, and the newer F-35A currently costs around $80 million for U.S. allies economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com. Even China’s J-20 is estimated to cost on the order of $100 million or more per unit. Thus, the Su-57’s price tag is closer to that of advanced fourth-generation fighters. For instance, the French Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon often run $80–100+ million depending on configuration, and the Su-57 comes in around the same range or lower. Russian sources have even touted an estimated $35–40 million unit cost if produced at full scale economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com, though exchange rates and industry subsidies make direct comparisons tricky.

How is the Su-57 so (relatively) inexpensive? Part of it is Russia’s approach to leverage technologies from previous programs – for example, the AL-41F1 engine is derived from proven AL-31/41 designs, and avionics development built on systems from the Su-35S armyrecognition.com. Additionally, labor and production costs in Russia are lower than in the U.S., and the state-owned defense firms have absorbed some R&D costs. It’s also possible that the quoted $50M is a marginal cost not including all development expenses. If Russia can deliver the Su-57 at that price, it provides an affordable 5th-gen option for countries that can’t buy American F-35s for political or cost reasons defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. Indeed, Rosoboronexport has marketed the Su-57E as a stealth fighter “significantly cheaper” than the F-35 economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com.

Operational and lifecycle costs for the Su-57 are expected to be lower as well, potentially comparable to legacy Su-27/30 Flankers according to some analysts militarywatchmagazine.com x.com. A large factor is maintenance: the Su-57’s designers aimed to make maintenance simpler, with modular systems and easier engine servicing, to avoid the high sustainment costs that crippled the F-22 fleet. However, it’s important to note that ongoing sanctions and low production rates could drive per-unit costs higher than anticipated en.defence-ua.com. Any imported components now require costly replacements. Still, for a fifth-gen platform, the Su-57 stands out as a cost-conscious design. Russia has essentially tried to “avoid the lifetime cost trap” that hit the F-22 and F-35 programs militarywatchmagazine.com. If the Su-57 can be fielded and exported around the stated $50 million mark, it may undercut competitors and offer high-end capabilities at a mid-range price point – a significant potential advantage in the international fighter market.

Performance and Specifications Comparison

How does the Su-57 stack up against other frontline fighters? Below is a comparison of key specifications for the Su-57 and several notable peers: the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Chengdu J-20, and France’s Dassault Rafale (as a representative top 4.5-generation jet).

Table 1: Key Specifications – Su-57 vs. F-22, F-35, J-20, and Rafale

Sources: Data compiled from Army Recognition, official fact sheets, and defense analyses defensemirror.com defensemirror.com af.mil theaviationist.com oneindia.com. (AAM = air-to-air missile; est. = estimated)

As shown in Table 1, the Su-57 is physically similar in size to the F-22 and J-20, both being large twin-engine fighters around 20 m long. In contrast, the F-35 and Rafale are smaller aircraft (around 15 m length). The Su-57’s twin engines give it a high thrust output, albeit slightly less total thrust than the F-22’s F119 engines af.mil af.mil. When it comes to speed, all the fifth-gen jets (Su-57, F-22, J-20) can reach around Mach 2.0 or more, whereas the F-35 and Rafale top out lower (Mach 1.6–1.8) defensemirror.com oneindia.com. Notably, the Su-57 and F-22 are designed to supercruise at ~Mach 1.3+ and ~1.7+ respectively without afterburners armyrecognition.com theaviationist.com, giving them a tactical advantage in extending range and quick intercepts. The single-engine F-35A can only supercruise marginally (its powerful F135 engine mostly compensates for the drag) and usually relies on afterburner for supersonic dashes.

In terms of range, the Su-57 stands out with a ferry range up to 4,500 km with tanks armyrecognition.com, reflecting its large fuel load. Its combat radius of ~1,200+ km armyrecognition.com is roughly on par or better than the F-35’s ~1,093 km defensemirror.com and clearly exceeds the F-22’s roughly ~850 km on internal fuel theaviationist.com. The Chinese J-20 is believed to have a similar long range (it’s also a big airframe with internal fuel in the tens of tons) defensemirror.com. Meanwhile, the Rafale – thanks to drop tanks – can ferry nearly as far as the Su-57 (about 3,700 km) oneindia.com, but its combat radius (~1000 km with tanks) militaryfactory.com is still generally less, and using external fuel or munitions negates stealth (which Rafale doesn’t prioritize anyway).

All fighters in the table are highly maneuverable, but the Su-57 and F-22 enjoy the added benefit of thrust-vectoring for extreme agility. The Su-57’s 3D thrust-vectoring nozzles allow pitch and yaw vectoring, whereas the F-22’s 2D nozzles vector in pitch (up-down) only af.mil. The F-35A and Rafale rely on aerodynamic design and high instantaneous power (in F-35’s case) or agile delta-canard configuration (in Rafale’s case) for maneuverability, but they cannot match the post-stall tricks of a vectoring Su-57. Notably, the J-20 in service does not have thrust vectoring on most units, though China has tested a TVC nozzle on a J-20 prototype – future versions may get some form of vectoring to enhance maneuverability.

Armament-wise, the Su-57, F-22, and J-20 all carry around 6 missiles internally for stealthy air combat defensemirror.com. The F-35A has a smaller internal bay (max 4 air-to-air missiles, or 2 bombs + 2 missiles in strike mode) defensemirror.com, reflecting its single-engine, smaller design and multi-role tradeoffs. The Rafale, being 4.5 gen, has no internal bays and carries all weapons externally on 14 hardpoints dassault-aviation.com, which limits stealth but allows great payload flexibility (it can carry more than 9 tonnes of ordnance, comparable to Su-57’s total load). All these jets have internal guns (20mm on F-22, 25mm on F-35, 30mm on Su-57 and Rafale) for close combat or strafing af.mil armyrecognition.com. In terms of sensor suites, the Su-57, F-22, F-35, and J-20 all field AESA radars and advanced IR sensors. The F-35 stands out with its 360° Distributed Aperture System (DAS) that gives the pilot an all-around infrared video feed defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. The J-20 reportedly has a similar EOTS-89 electro-optical targeting system and IRST plus several infrared cameras for full coverage defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. Su-57, as discussed, has multiple IR sensors (IRST and MAWS) but it’s unclear if it provides true spherical video like the F-35’s DAS. The Rafale, though older, was one of the first with an AESA radar (RBE2-AA) and has the formidable SPECTRA electronic warfare suite for signature reduction and jamming – it just doesn’t have low-observable shaping.

Finally, one cannot ignore cost and maturity: The F-22 and Rafale are combat-proven and in full service (F-22 in USAF only, Rafale with multiple nations). The F-35 is the most widely used 5th-gen (over 1,000 units produced) and benefits from continuous upgrades, though it had a long development. The Su-57 and J-20 are newer entrants: the Su-57 only has a few dozen in service with Russia (first combat trials in Syria and reportedly used in Ukraine in limited roles defensemirror.com defensemirror.com), and the J-20 is fielded in growing numbers in China but has no real combat experience yet. Each has its strengths: F-22 excels in stealth and air superiority; F-35 in sensor fusion and strike networking; J-20 in range and perhaps stealthy profile (though its use of canards is debated in stealth impact); Rafale in versatile multi-role capability with advanced avionics for a 4.5-gen jet; and the Su-57 aims to combine high-end agility, decent stealth, and multi-role flexibility at a lower cost.

Su-57 vs. Key Competitors: Detailed Comparison

Su-57 vs. F-22 Raptor (US)

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is often seen as the direct American analogue to the Su-57 – indeed the Su-57 was conceived as Russia’s “response” to the F-22 en.defence-ua.com en.defence-ua.com. In a head-to-head comparison, the F-22 still sets the benchmark in certain areas. Stealth: The F-22’s all-aspect stealth design (internal weapons, serrated edges, shielded engine fans, flat nozzles) likely gives it a smaller radar cross-section than the Su-57, especially from the rear and sides. The Su-57’s stealth is optimized for frontal aspect; analysts note features like the Su-57’s moving leading-edge root extensions (LERX) and open engine exhaust might make it somewhat more observable than an F-22 en.defence-ua.com armyrecognition.com. However, the Su-57 counters with electronic warfare and modern decoys that the older F-22 lacks. Avionics: The F-22, despite being a 1990s design, has received upgrades (e.g. new datalinks and better radar modes). It carries the AN/APG-77 AESA radar and excellent passive sensors, but it was built just before the era of sensor fusion as seen in F-35. The Su-57’s avionics are a generation newer – with sensor fusion, networking, and an IRST that the F-22 doesn’t have (the F-22 has no built-in IRST). This means a Su-57 could potentially detect an F-22 via infrared at shorter ranges, while the F-22 relies purely on radar and AWACS cues. Maneuverability: Both jets are extremely agile. The F-22 has superb aerodynamics and thrust-to-weight, plus 2D thrust vectoring for pitch control, enabling post-stall maneuvers. The Su-57’s thrust vectoring is more flexible in direction, which, combined with its aerodynamics, arguably makes it even more maneuverable in some regimes (e.g. flat yaw turns). Both can pull well over 9g in instantaneous turns. In a dogfight, the outcome would likely come down to pilot skill and initial conditions – each can potentially get the nose on target in situations that would stall out other fighters. Speed and Range: The F-22 has a slightly higher supercruise (~Mach 1.7+ vs Mach 1.3) and similar top speed (~Mach 2+). The Su-57 holds more fuel, giving it better range – important in a large country or theater. Weapons: The F-22’s internal load is purely air-to-air in primary design (6 AMRAAM + 2 Sidewinders), and only recently have small diameter bombs been integrated for air-to-ground. The Su-57 is designed from the outset to strike ground targets with a variety of missiles and bombs internally. So, the Su-57 is more multirole, whereas the F-22 is a specialist in air superiority (with limited strike capability added later) af.mil af.mil. Cost & Availability: The F-22 was extremely expensive and is no longer in production; only 187 operational jets were built and the U.S. refuses to export it. The Su-57 is intended to be cheaper and offered abroad (e.g. to Algeria, India in the future).

In summary, an F-22 vs Su-57 encounter would pit the F-22’s stealth and likely first-look/first-shot advantage (especially if aided by superior AWACS support and more combat data link experience) against the Su-57’s greater loadout flexibility, electronic warfare, and superior close-combat sensor suite. The F-22 might detect the Su-57 first due to stealth differences, but the Su-57 could use jamming or decoys (and its L-band arrays for long-range detection) to even the odds armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. While the Raptor still enjoys a certain mythos as the world’s top dogfighter – often cited as “unmatched by any known or projected fighter” by the USAF af.mil af.mil – the Su-57 presents a serious challenge. It embodies 25 years of design evolution since the F-22. Each jet has areas of superiority, and engagements could go either way depending on the scenario. Notably, both sides have never faced a near-peer in air combat: in over 15 years of service, F-22s have only a single (rather unorthodox) air-to-air kill – a high-altitude surveillance balloon in 2023 defensemirror.com. Both fighters rely on the skill of their pilots and the network of support assets to prevail in a confrontation.

Su-57 vs. F-35 Lightning II (US)

The F-35 Lightning II is a very different kind of fighter from the Su-57. While both are fifth-generation stealth jets, the F-35 is a single-engine, multirole strike fighter available in three variants (A, B, C) with a primary emphasis on ground attack and advanced networking, whereas the Su-57 is a twin-engine air superiority fighter with multirole secondary abilities. In a comparison, several points stand out: Stealth and Sensors: The F-35 has highly refined stealth from all aspects (though optimized for frontal aspect like most stealth designs). It might have a smaller RCS than Su-57, given its meticulous shaping and coatings tested extensively by Lockheed Martin. Additionally, the F-35’s sensor fusion and pilot interface are state-of-the-art – it was designed so the pilot effectively sees through the aircraft using the Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (six IR cameras around the jet) defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. The Su-57 has some similar features but the F-35’s implementation is combat-tested and integrated with every facet of the aircraft’s operation. The F-35 also has the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the HMDS Gen III helmet, which projects the fused data to the pilot’s eyes, arguably the most advanced helmet in service economictimes.indiatimes.com economictimes.indiatimes.com. The Su-57’s new helmet is just entering service, aiming to catch up defence-blog.com defence-blog.com.

Performance: The Su-57 can fly faster (Mach 2 vs Mach 1.6) and supercruise, while the F-35 is limited to about Mach 1.6 and is not built for prolonged supersonic speeds (in fact, early F-35s had issues with rear stealth coating damage at high supersonic speeds). The Su-57’s supermaneuverability also contrasts with the F-35’s more conventional (though still high) agility – the F-35A is rated at 9g and has excellent high angle-of-attack handling, but it cannot perform extreme post-stall maneuvers like the Su-57 can. However, the F-35 excels in high-alpha control for carrier landings (in the C variant) and stability; it’s forgiving to fly, letting pilots focus on sensor tactics. Weapons and Role: The F-35 typically carries 4 internal weapons (e.g., 2 AMRAAM + 2 bombs, or 4 AMRAAM in air-to-air load) defensemirror.com. It’s primarily intended to sneak past defenses, strike targets with precision (JDAMs, SDBs, etc.), and share the data with other assets. In an air combat scenario against a Su-57, the F-35 would try to operate as the “quarterback,” using stealth and sensors to call in other fighters or missiles. The Su-57 in contrast can carry more missiles internally (up to 6) and would be more capable in a traditional dogfight with its higher thrust and agility. Simply put, a one-on-one within visual range is not where an F-35 wants to be with a Su-57; the F-35 would aim to detect-first and shoot-first or coordinate a beyond-visual-range ambush.

Networking and Electronic Warfare: One aspect the F-35 shines in is its connectivity – all F-35s are part of a vast network, and they have sophisticated EW capabilities to geolocate emitters and even perform limited jamming. The Su-57 has its own communication suite and can datalink with other Russian jets or drones, but the breadth of the F-35’s integration (with AWACS, ground stations, other F-35s) in NATO forces is a force-multiplier. On the flip side, the Su-57 carries a dedicated ECM pod (Himalayas) armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, which could make it harder for an F-35 to get a clean radar lock – the F-35’s relatively lower raw speed means it can’t as easily reposition if it doesn’t get the first shot. Cost and Export: The F-35 is more expensive (around $80M for an F-35A and higher for B/C) economictimes.indiatimes.com, but it has an enormous user base and ongoing upgrades funded by a coalition of countries. The Su-57 is cheaper and offered with presumably fewer political strings. Some nations that can’t get F-35s might see Su-57 as an attractive alternative defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. However, the F-35’s record in service (over 500+ delivered, operational in many air forces) gives it a certain reliability and support framework that the Su-57 – still in low-rate production – has yet to prove.

In summary, Su-57 vs F-35 would be a classic case of differing philosophies: the F-35 trying to act as the stealthy sniper and data hub, versus the Su-57 as the fast heavyweight brawler with stealth characteristics. If neither can avoid within-visual-range combat, the Su-57 would have an edge due to kinematics and weapon count. But the F-35 would bank on not letting it come to that – leveraging superior stealth and electronic surveillance to orchestrate an attack. It’s telling that the U.S. and allies treat F-35 not just as a fighter, but as part of a system-of-systems; an F-35 might feed target data to another platform (like an F-15 launching a long-range missile from standoff). The Su-57, by contrast, is built to be more self-sufficient in a fight, carrying its own long-range weapons and using its own jamming to survive. Each could be a dangerous foe to the other, and much would depend on external factors like AWACS support, pilot training, and the electronic warfare environment.

Su-57 vs. Chengdu J-20 (China)

Russia and China’s stealth fighters often invite comparisons, as the Sukhoi Su-57 and Chengdu J-20 represent parallel efforts to challenge U.S. air dominance. Both are fifth-generation, twin-engine stealth fighters introduced in the late 2010s, but they have some distinct design philosophies. Role and Size: The J-20 is slightly longer (around 20.3 m) and heavier (MTOW ~37+ tons) than the Su-57 defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. It’s been suggested that the J-20 is more of an air superiority interceptor/long-range fighter, intended to engage high-value assets at distance and to penetrate deep with heavy weapons. The Su-57, while also large, is a bit more of an air combat “all-rounder” with extreme agility for dogfights and a versatile weapon mix for strike roles. Stealth: Both aircraft incorporate stealth shaping and internal weapons, but the designs differ. The J-20’s most eye-catching feature is its delta wing with canard foreplanes. Canards can enhance maneuverability and lift, but generally they are thought to compromise frontal stealth (unless carefully managed with flight control to minimize radar return). Chengdu likely mitigated this with stealthy canard alignments and coatings, but it’s a point of debate among analysts. The Su-57 doesn’t use canards, but it has some small surface gaps (e.g. engine nozzle area, leading-edge slats for maneuverability) that might increase its radar signature. Both jets use a mixture of serrated paneling and radar-absorbing materials; some observers believe the J-20 may have an edge in stealth from certain aspects, given its smooth fuselage sides and canted twin fins without the mesh rudders seen on Su-57. However, the Su-57’s designers claim it is sufficiently low observable and compensate with electronic warfare.

Sensors: The J-20 is equipped with the Type 1475 (KLJ-5) AESA radar in the nose and likely additional sensors; reportedly an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) under the nose (similar to the F-35’s), as well as multiple infrared sensors around the fuselage for situational awareness defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. This hints that the J-20 has a DAS-like infrared coverage and excellent sensor fusion – Chinese officials have mentioned the J-20 has an “omnidirectional” sensor capability and sensor fusion presenting information to the pilot similar to how the F-35 does defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. The Su-57’s sensor suite is also formidable (AESA + IRST + wing L-band arrays + ECM), but China’s heavy investment in networking might give J-20 a comparable or even superior situational picture in certain scenarios. For example, multiple J-20s could data-link targeting information with each other or with ground radar systems, operating almost like mini-AWACS among themselves. Engine and Performance: Up until recently, J-20s have flown with interim engines (WS-10C or Russian AL-31F variants) that did not provide full supercruise capability. This meant the J-20 likely couldn’t supercruise at high Mach, and its thrust-to-weight was a bit lower than intended. A new engine, the WS-15, is in development/testing and purportedly will give the J-20 supercruise and ~180 kN thrust class performance. The Su-57’s AL-41F1 engines already allow some supercruise, and once its own new Izdeliye 30 engines arrive, performance will similarly improve. Both jets should ultimately supercruise around Mach 1.5 when fully realized. For now, the Su-57 might have a small edge in thrust and agility due to its 3D thrust vectoring and high-output engines, whereas the J-20 is likely faster in a straight line at high altitude (Chinese sources cite Mach 2.0+). The J-20’s large delta wing could give it a good high-altitude, high-speed lift advantage, suitable for interceptor roles (chasing support assets). In a close-in turning fight, however, large delta fighters with canards (like Eurofighter Typhoon or J-20) have plenty of lift but can bleed energy; the Su-57’s combination of thrust vectoring and traditional tail surfaces might grant it better post-stall control. Notably, China unveiled a thrust-vectoring nozzle on a J-20 testbed in 2018 (with a single-axis TVC). If future J-20s get thrust vectoring, the maneuverability gap with Su-57 would narrow.

Weapons: Both the Su-57 and J-20 have twin large internal bays for long-range missiles and side bays for short-range missiles. The J-20 is thought to carry 4 long-range PL-15 missiles in the main bay and 2 short-range PL-10 IR missiles in side bays defensemirror.com defensemirror.com. These missiles are roughly analogous to Su-57’s R-77M and R-74M2 respectively. The PL-15, notably, is a very advanced active radar missile with an AESA seeker and range speculated around 200 km – it’s feared as a threat to support aircraft. The Su-57’s R-37M can likely reach even farther (300 km) armyrecognition.com, but is larger; it might carry fewer of those. In essence, both jets are equipped to shoot first at long range. For extreme range, China may be developing the PL-21 (ramjet missile) which could match the upcoming European Meteor or exceed it. Russia likewise has talked about a future Izdeliye 810 missile for Su-57. In terms of strike, the Su-57 has a wider array of ground attack munitions integrated (as far as known). The J-20’s primary role is air dominance; it has not been shown deploying air-to-ground weapons publicly, though it could be adapted for that. The Su-57 has dedicated strike missiles like Kh-59MK2 and anti-radiation missiles, indicating a more multi-role doctrine. Production and Deployment: China has reportedly built over 50 J-20s and is ramping up production. They’ve even started export promotion (dubbed FC-20) to select allies, although none are sold yet defensemirror.com. Russia’s Su-57 production is slower, with only ~30 or so delivered. So China’s fleet size advantage is clear, at least for now.

In a scenario where Su-57 and J-20 face off, it might actually echo the countries’ broader doctrines. A J-20, possibly supported by other Chinese assets (like KJ-500 AEW&C or ground radar networks), might attempt to ambush from long range or evade via stealth. The Su-57, with its agility and ECM, might try to close the gap or use countermeasures to spoof incoming missiles. Both can supercruise towards each other; both have AESA radars that will engage in a duel of detection range and anti-stealth capability. The Su-57’s L-band radar could potentially help spot a J-20’s general vicinity (L-band can detect stealth aircraft at longer range, though not with fire control precision) armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com. Meanwhile, the J-20’s passive sensors might catch the Su-57’s infrared signature if it uses afterburner. If it comes to a within-visual-range merge, the Su-57’s 3D thrust vector and excellent rearward visibility (the Su-57 has a bubble canopy with good view) might give it a close-combat edge. The J-20’s canards and large control surfaces yield high instantaneous turn capability, but without thrust vector the J-20 may not match the Felon’s post-stall maneuver antics. Much remains theoretical – neither has seen real air combat. It’s conceivable that in the future, these two could be operating in the same airspace (if, for instance, Russia and China were allied or in a proxy conflict), but direct confrontation is unlikely under current geopolitics. Each poses a serious challenge to fourth-gen fighters; how they’d fare against each other would depend on training and support as much as on the platform.

Su-57 vs. Dassault Rafale (Top 4.5 Gen Fighter)

To put the Su-57 in context, it’s useful to compare it with one of the best “4.5-generation” fighters in service – the French Dassault Rafale. The Rafale isn’t a stealth aircraft, but it’s an example of how advanced 4th-gen jets remain highly capable through superior avionics, aerodynamics, and weaponry. Design and Stealth: The Rafale is a smaller, lighter twin-engine fighter with a canard delta-wing configuration. It was not built for stealth in the way the Su-57 is – it has an external stores carriage, and while it employs some radar-reducing features (composites, serrated edges, SPECTRA EW to reduce detectability), it lacks internal bays or alignment for radar evasion. In any radar matchup, a Su-57 should detect a Rafale much earlier than vice versa, especially from head-on (the Rafale’s frontal RCS is reduced compared to older jets, but nowhere near a true stealth jet). However, the Rafale’s SPECTRA electronic warfare suite is exceptionally good; it can jam and even spoof radar-guided missiles. There are anecdotes of Rafales going nearly “unseen” by older opposing radars due to smart jamming. In a scenario against Su-57, the Rafale would heavily lean on SPECTRA to degrade the Su-57’s radar picture and protect itself from long-range missiles.

Agility and Performance: The Rafale is very agile – its close-coupled canard design gives it superb low-speed and high angle-of-attack handling, and it can sustain 9g turns. In dogfight realms, the Rafale has impressed many by outmaneuvering larger fighters in exercises. That said, the Su-57’s thrust vectoring and higher thrust-to-weight likely mean it can outmaneuver a Rafale in extreme situations. The Rafale’s two engines (Snecma M88s) produce ~75 kN each in afterburner oneindia.com, far less total thrust (150 kN) than the Su-57’s ~2×142 kN (284 kN). The Rafale compensates by being lighter (10-ton empty vs ~18.5-ton empty for Su-57) dassault-aviation.com. The Su-57 also has a higher top speed (Mach 2 vs Mach 1.8) and greater acceleration. However, within visual range with both clean (no external stores on Rafale), a Rafale could still be a difficult opponent – its instantaneous turn rate is excellent and its nose-pointing ability with canards is quick. If the Su-57 doesn’t capitalize on its thrust vectoring for a quick shot, a Rafale might even get into a firing position using its agility and smaller size. Weapons: The Rafale carries the latest European missiles like the MBDA Meteor (beyond-visual-range ramjet missile with ~150+ km range) and MICA missiles (both RF and IR guided) for closer ranges. In some respects, these armaments are on par with or better than current Russian missiles – e.g., the Meteor outranges the baseline R-77. However, Russia’s R-37M far outranges Meteor, so if a Su-57 armed with R-37Ms detected a Rafale (which has no stealth), it could launch from very long distance. In contrast, a Rafale would rely on Meteor’s long reach but still likely needs targeting from another platform (unless the Rafale sneaks close using terrain or jamming). Both have internal guns (30mm for Rafale, very lethal in close quarters). If the fight goes to WVR, Rafale’s MICA IR and the Su-57’s R-74M2 are both high-off-boresight missiles with helmet cueing. The playing field would be somewhat even in WVR – both have HMS targeting – but the Su-57’s superior kinematics might afford it more firing opportunities.

Avionics: The Rafale’s avionics are top-notch for its generation: it has the RBE2 AESA radar (though smaller than Su-57’s radar) and fuses data from various sensors plus data-links to AWACS. The Su-57 likely has an edge in raw sensor power (bigger radar, additional L-band sensors, IRST). The Rafale’s advantage is an incredibly well-integrated system proven in multiple combat operations (Libya, Middle East etc.), and it can carry out sophisticated missions with a heavy emphasis on electronic warfare. For example, Rafales train to sneak through integrated air defenses using SPECTRA to confuse and suppress radars – an approach somewhat akin to stealth by electronic means. The Su-57, having actual reduced RCS plus its own ECM, has dual avenues: natural stealth and active stealth via jamming. A Rafale pilot might have to work very hard to detect and target a Su-57, while the Su-57 pilot might see the Rafale on radar but have to contend with jamming noise. If both were hunting each other, a Rafale could potentially get within firing range under the cover of jamming or using a network (like support from an AEW plane that spots the Su-57). But without stealth, eventually the Rafale would likely be seen.

In essence, the Su-57 vs Rafale showcases the generational leap: the Su-57’s stealth and raw performance give it major advantages, yet a 4.5-gen like Rafale is not a sitting duck – it has its own tricks like advanced ECM and agile missiles. Many experts believe that in well-trained hands, a Rafale (or Eurofighter Typhoon, its European cousin) can pose a real threat to even 5th-gen fighters in certain conditions, especially if they exploit the stealth jet’s relative weaknesses (like engaging from a flank or using powerful jamming to reduce the range advantage). Still, if both enter a neutral beyond-visual-range engagement, the Su-57 should be able to fire first and break contact, using its low observability to avoid retaliation. Within visual range, it’s more even, but the Su-57’s thrust vectoring and superior T/W ratio give it the edge to dictate the fight’s terms. The Rafale’s best chance would be team tactics – using multiple fighters and support assets to overwhelm a Su-57’s situational awareness – whereas the Su-57 is designed to be able to tackle multiple 4th-gen adversaries at once with its combination of stealth, sensing, and speed.

Conclusion

The Sukhoi Su-57 Felon emerges as a formidable and fascinating culmination of Russia’s fighter development. It blends the lessons of prior Sukhoi Flankers with stealth technology and next-gen avionics to create a jet that is fast, agile, and hard to detect. Its protracted development – from the PAK FA concept in the early 2000s to first flight in 2010 and service entry in 2020 – underscores the technical challenges Russia faced in catching up to the U.S. fifth-generation fighters. Now operational in limited numbers, the Su-57 is gradually proving its capabilities, reportedly having seen limited combat trial in Syria and air defense suppression tasks in Ukraine (though details remain sparse) defensemirror.com en.defence-ua.com. With a potent arsenal ranging from long-range missiles to precision strike weapons, and advanced features like 3D thrust vectoring and integrated sensors, the Su-57 is Russia’s crown jewel for air superiority and beyond.

That said, the Su-57 enters a field where competition is fierce. The U.S. F-22 and F-35 set high bars in stealth and technology, China’s J-20 is advancing with its own improvements, and even top-end fourth-gen fighters remain lethal when properly employed. The Su-57’s relative affordability and planned variants (such as the upcoming Su-57M with new engines, or the proposed two-seat and drone-command versions) could be key to its future success, especially in export markets. Its first export sale to Algeria in 2025 suggests that the Felon will soon be operating outside Russia’s borders armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, potentially altering regional balances.

In conclusion, the Sukhoi Su-57 represents Russia’s leap into fifth-generation air combat, combining stealth with the trademark Russian strengths of speed, maneuverability, and firepower. It is a comprehensive package: an aircraft that can supercruise at Mach 1.3+, sneak up on adversaries on radar, engage in ferocious dogfights with 3D thrust vectoring, and strike ground targets with advanced precision weapons. Equipped with an AESA radar, IRST, and a next-gen pilot helmet, it brings Russia into the same league as the US and China in fielding a stealth fighter. While it faces challenges – from production hurdles to fewer support resources than Western counterparts – the Su-57 Felon is undoubtedly a top-tier fighter jet. As it continues to be refined and produced in greater numbers, it will be closely watched by air forces worldwide. In the chess match of modern aerial warfare, the Su-57 is Russia’s new queen, and how it measures against the F-22s, F-35s, and J-20s of the world will define the future of air combat in the coming decades.

References: The information in this report is based on open-source defense analyses, official specifications, and recent news on the Su-57 program, including Army Recognition’s technical dossier armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com, Defensemirror and Economic Times features comparing the Su-57 with its peers defensemirror.com economictimes.indiatimes.com, as well as statements from Rostec/UAC armyrecognition.com armyrecognition.com and the Russian Ministry of Defense. All data and claims are cited from these reputable sources throughout the text.