The Russian fifth-generation multirole fighter Su-57 is comparable to the F-22 Raptor. However, the Sukhoi Design Bureau's development surpasses the American aircraft in its offensive potential, according to military expert Boyko Nikolov in an article for Bulgarian Military.
The Russian Su-57 and the American F-22 Raptor embody fundamentally different approaches to the design of fifth-generation fighters. The development of the F-22 began in the 1980s. Lockheed Martin delivered the first F-22 in 2005.
The first flight of the Su-57 took place in 2010. Its serial production began in 2019.
According to Nikolov, "the F-22 is optimized for short, surgically precise strikes, while the Su-57 is designed for long operations in complex theaters of war."
These differences reflect strategic priorities: the United States strives for dominance through precision, while Russia relies on offensive power.
The expert emphasizes that due to its design, the Su-57 is more visible than the F-22. At low speeds, the Russian fighter demonstrates better maneuverability, but the F-22 is well-controlled in dynamic air combat.
At the same time, the Su-57 has an impressive arsenal for offensive operations: R-77M and Х-59МК2 missiles. The fighter is capable of launching hypersonic missiles Х-47М2 «Kinzhal».
The F-22 Raptor was designed to gain air superiority in the Cold War era. Its advanced weaponry limits modernization capabilities.
Russia has focused on developing technologies for network-centric warfare. The Su-57 pilot can coordinate actions with the «Охотник» UAV. This allows for synchronized strikes, increasing the effectiveness of target engagement.
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