The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have received the fifth-generation Su-57 multirole fighter, equipped with a radio-absorbing coating - "stealth" technology. Thanks to it, combat vehicles remain inconspicuous on enemy radars, but in the sixth-generation fighter, the focus should be on improving this characteristic, according to military expert Sergei Marzhetsky.
According to him, there is no clear vision of what exactly a sixth-generation combat fighter should be. At the same time, there is a certain list of wishes put forward by customers, for example, the possibility of piloting in all speed modes and the use of laser weapons, maximum stealth on radars, the use of artificial intelligence to control a "swarm" of guided drones.
Low radar visibility is still a higher priority for fighters. However, our few Su-57s are not actively used to gain dominance due to the risks of losing such expensive and technically complex aircraft. It suggests the use of their more budget-friendly single-engine versions of the Su-75 "Checkmate" in an unmanned version.
Marzhetsky expressed the opinion that the sixth-generation fighter should also incorporate all ideas about modern combat operations, in which drones have begun to play an important role.
On the one hand, heavy stealth fighters will be needed, capable of operating in high orbits, hitting enemy satellites, and acting as an airborne command post controlling a "swarm" of UAVs. On the other hand, on the single-engine Su-75 platform, it would be possible to create an unmanned arsenal capable of developing hypersonic speed in the future to break through the enemy's air defense system.
Earlier, test pilot Sergei Bogdan stated that the Russian sixth-generation fighter should meet the increased modern engine power requirements and become even more invisible to enemy radars.
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