Unique Feature of the Su-57 Fighter: Expert Talks About the Capabilities of the N036 "Belka" Radar

Radar's bandwidth — 62 simultaneously tracked targets

A unique technical feature of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighters (developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau) is the N036 Belka radar system and the onboard defense system. This was pointed out by military observer Yevgeny Damantsev.

Fifth generation Su-57 fighter
Fifth generation Su-57 fighter

According to him, the N036 "Belka" is a multi-element dual-band complex operating on the basis of five active phased arrays (APAR) located in the nose of the fuselage and wing socks. The APAR consists of 1526 transceiver modules with a microwave transistor and an attenuator (a device for lowering electromagnetic oscillations) capable of "forming dips in the radiation pattern in the direction of sources of radio-electronic interference" of the enemy. Consequently, the radar is protected from interference.

The N036 "Belka" can simultaneously track 62 targets and automatically issue target designations to R-77-1 missiles for 16 air targets. Damantsev added that the operation of the N036B-1-01L and N036B-1-01B side-looking APARs, which provide an azimuthal viewing sector of 240-270°, is no less effective. They can detect radio-contrast targets on the ground and in the air, even in the rear hemisphere.

The expert noted that an important element of the Su-57 fighter's electronic equipment is the onboard defense system. It consists of the "Himalayas" electronic warfare system and the laser-beam optoelectronic counteraction complex. The complex suppresses the matrix photodetectors of the infrared homing heads (IR) of anti-aircraft missiles and air-to-air missiles.

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