What is Russia’s Su-57E Fighter Jet? Check Cost, Range, Speed, Development and Other Key Details

Following the "Operations Sindoor", the tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, and in this high-stakes time, India is considering making a deal with Russia on its Su-57E fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Priorly, India was reluctant to purchase the Su-57E fighter jet due to technical concerns, cost, and a strong push for indigenous defence development. 

In 2007, India and Russia initially partnered to co-develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), a Su-57 derivative, with a preliminary design contract signed in 2010. 

However, by 2014, the Indian Air Force raised concerns about the aircraft's performance, cost, and work share, ultimately leading India to exit the partnership in 2018 due to unmet requirements. Russia, on the other hand, continues to push the Su-57E to India with appealing "Make in India" offers.

But this time, Russia has pitched the Su-57E with a Super-30 configuration. In simple terms, the Su-57E incorporates upgraded Indian Su-30MKI (Super-30) technology, featuring an Indian GaN AESA radar and mission computer. 

This integration boosts capabilities, simplifies logistics, allows for Indian weapons like the Astra, and supports "Make in India".

What is the Su-57E Stealth Jet?

Source: News18

The Su-57E Stealth Jet is the export variant of Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 "Felon", their first domestically produced fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter aircraft. It is a fifth-generation fighter, which signifies that the aircraft incorporates several advanced features, such as stealth, supercruise, supermaneuverability, advanced integrated avionics and more. The "E" in Su-57E specifically denotes the export version.

Key Features of the Su-57E:

• Stealth Features: While its stealth capabilities have been a subject of debate (some analysts suggest it's less stealthy than the F-22 or F-35, particularly from the rear aspects), it incorporates radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays, and specific airframe shaping to reduce its radar cross-section.
• Powerful Engines: Initially powered by the AL-41F1 engine, future production and export variants are expected to eventually utilise the more advanced "Izdeliye 30" (AL-51F) engine, which promises improved thrust and fuel efficiency.
• Advanced Avionics: Equipped with AESA radar (like the N036 Byelka), electro-optical targeting systems, and comprehensive self-defence suites.
• Extensive Armament: Can carry a wide array of air-to-air, air-to-ground, anti-ship, and anti-radiation missiles internally to maintain stealth, as well as on external hardpoints when stealth is less critical. This includes long-range missiles like the R-37M.
• Supermaneuverability: Thanks to its thrust-vectoring engines and aerodynamic design, it can perform highly agile manoeuvres.

Su-57E Speed, Range, Cost, Development and Other Key Details

The Sukhoi Su-57E is the export variant of Russia's advanced fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter.

Speed:

• Maximum Speed (High Altitude): Around Mach 2 (approximately 2,136 km/h or 2,450 km/h).
• Maximum Speed (Low Altitude): Around 1,350 km/h (Mach 1.09).
• Supercruise: Capable of sustaining supersonic speeds (Mach 1.3 to Mach 1.6) without engaging afterburners, a hallmark of fifth-generation fighters.

Range:

• Combat Range: Approximately 1,900 km to over 2,000 km.
• Ferry Range (with in-flight refuelling): Up to 7,800 km.

Cost:

• Estimated Unit Cost: Around $35 million to $50 million per unit. This is significantly lower than Western counterparts like the F-35, which typically costs between $80 million and $110 million per unit.

Dimensions:

• Length: Approximately 20.4 metres (65 feet 11 inches).
• Wingspan: Approximately 14.1 metres (46 feet 3 inches).

Weight:

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): Around 34,000 kg.

Service Ceiling:

• Approximately 18,800 meters (54,100 feet).

Other Key Details:

• Engines: Currently, the Su-57E typically uses two AL-41F1 turbofan engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles.
• The long-term plan is to equip production aircraft with the more advanced "Izdeliye 30" (AL-51F) engine, which is expected to offer enhanced thrust and fuel efficiency.

Conclusion: IS the Su-57E a Stealthy Fighter Jet?

Ultimately, the Su-57E emerges as a formidable multi-role platform, leveraging advanced stealth characteristics—achieved via innovative shaping, RAM, and internal bays—to enhance survivability, particularly from frontal aspects.

Its comprehensive suite of cutting-edge avionics, including AESA radar and integrated electronic warfare, significantly augments situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

With extensive internal and external armament options for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and specialised missions, the Su-57E is positioned as a versatile fifth-generation fighter capable of executing a wide spectrum of combat roles.