The US national security agencies have long ridiculed the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter created at the Sukhoi Design Bureau. Of course, Russian aviation platforms are not as perfect as American ones. However, they are good and can withstand Western ones. This opinion was expressed by military expert Brandon J. Weichert in an article for The National Interest.
Western experts called the Su-57 a "Potemkin" aircraft (by analogy with "Potemkin" villages). It was considered overrated, problematic, claiming that it was proof of the decline of the Russian aerospace industry.
According to Weichert, the Su-57 is of great importance to Russia. "Moscow was not trying to create a clone of the F-22 Raptor, its fighter is unique and very dangerous for the West."
American analysts underestimated the Su-57
Experts in Washington constantly compare the Su-57 with the F-22 or F-35. But Russia adheres to a different principle in the development of aircraft than the USA — "to use simple and reliable technologies", Weichert added.
In the case of the Su-57, everything is "good enough". The fighter has a sufficient level of stealth, good enough avionics, excellent missile armament, incredible maneuverability, and powerful electronic warfare capabilities.
Weichert called American aircraft "ambitious", and Russian aircraft "practical". If the F-35 pilot relies on high technology, then the Su-57 pilot — "on brute force and cunning", he added.
Comparison of the Russian Su-57 with the American F-22 Raptor
| <b>Su-57</b> | <b>F-22 Raptor</b> | |
| Start of operation | 2020 | 2005 |
| Number built | about 22, including prototypes (data for 2023) | 187 |
| Length | 19.7 m | 18.9 m |
| Wingspan | 14 m | 13.56 m |
| Normal take-off weight | 30 600 kg | 29 200 kg |
| Engine(s) | Two AL-41F1 engines | Two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines |
| Maximum speed | 2 130 km/h | 2 414 km/h |
| Ceiling height | 20 000 m | more than 20 000 m |
| Armament | One 30-mm automatic cannon GSh-30-1; 12 suspension points (6 internal, 6 external) | 20-mm rotating cannon M61A2; up to 6 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles in internal compartments |
| Aircraft crew | 1 | 1 |
What is the Su-57 good for?
The Su-57 is a flying "truck" for missiles. The fighter is dangerous because of the weapons located in its internal compartments. R-73 missiles were designed to destroy AWACS aircraft, tankers and other auxiliary aviation platforms.
The Russian Su-57 does not need to fight the F-35, it is enough just to strike at the bases, destroying the support facilities for US aviation. Systems such as the "Zircon", "Kinzhal" missiles and the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system were created according to the same logic, the expert emphasized. Thus, even "a handful of Su-57s forces America to spend billions on a response", Weichert summarized.
