Pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces are the only ones in the world to have used the fifth-generation Su-57 multirole fighter (developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau) in real combat conditions. At the same time, the American fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bombers (created at Lockheed Martin) were used only to strike unprotected targets, write military analysts of The Military Watch magazine.
Experts also noted that the Chengdu J-20 fighter (developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation in Chengdu), which is in service with China, has never been involved in real combat operations.
Unlike its competitors, the Russian Su-57 performs many functions: it destroys enemy aircraft, suppresses air defense systems, conducts electronic warfare, and strikes targets on the ground. At the same time, Su-57 aircraft equipped with the R-37M missile can attack enemy aircraft from a distance of 200 km directly in the air, the authors of The Military Watch emphasize.
The use of the Su-57 on the battlefield helped engineers to refine the design of the fighter. And the integration of long-range air-to-air missiles and cruise missiles became an important factor that allowed the aircraft to perform functions that are not typical of conventional fighters, the experts summarized.
Earlier, Rostec reported that the Su-57 had a lighter "double" - the Su-75 Checkmate. The aircraft will receive one engine, which will reduce its production cost, but will not affect its technical characteristics and the performance of combat missions.
