Russia has increased the state order for fifth-generation Su-57 fighters, which are manufactured by the United Aircraft Corporation, several times.
As Yuri Slyusar, head of UAC, which is part of Rostec, noted in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel, aircraft manufacturers fulfilled the state defense order according to plans and schedules this year, and in some cases even ahead of schedule.
I would like to express my gratitude to the factory teams, because it was not an easy year. Orders have increased for all our factories, and for some, quite significantly. For new aircraft: the order for the Su-57 aircraft has literally doubled. This is a complex aircraft, complex to manufacture, in cooperation, in development, but we coped with this work with honor. The Ministry of Defense received all the ordered aircraft. And for 2024, the order is even larger, there is even more work.
The Su-57 is a Russian fifth-generation multi-functional fighter. The machine has a supersonic cruising speed, internal armament, radio-absorbing coating, as well as the latest complex of onboard equipment. The intellectualization of the Su-57 systems allows it to take over part of the pilot's functions, including piloting and preparing for the use of weapons.
The Su-57 fighter is the only fifth-generation multi-purpose fighter in the world tested in real combat conditions.
It is constantly being modernized. It is known that in 2023 alone, the combat "Sushki" of this modification received a number of updates either in the configuration during assembly or for testing.
First, there were new composite materials to lighten the design and an enhanced complex of digital communication equipment from Roselectronics.
Then, a very promising second-stage engine (product 30), still under testing but gradually being introduced, and new long-range cruise missiles with internal placement were added.
Finally, by the end of the year, it became known that a group of mini-drones for various purposes would be added to the fighter to support and perform tasks. The drones will be placed on an external suspension and in a compartment inside the fuselage.
