Fifth-generation Su-57 fighters can carry the new S-71K “Kovyor” missile even on external hardpoints without the risk of detection, thanks to the unique shape and materials of the munition. Military expert Yuri Knutov spoke about the details.
According to him, in the new development, designers focused specifically on stealth. While conventional missiles are easily detected due to their characteristic shape, this is not the case with “Kovyor”.
The missile body is made of composite materials and has an unusual trapezoidal shape. This causes radar beams to be reflected in different directions, significantly reducing the munition's visibility to radars.
Knutov clarified that the S-71K has a special tail fin design that reduces thermal radiation from the engine.
The carrier aircraft maintains its radar stealth even if the missile is externally mounted. The “Kovyor” can be used both in internal bays and on external hardpoints.
The publication “Tekhnosfera Rossiya” insisted that the S-71K should be more accurately called a guided module for accommodating bombs of various calibers, rather than a cruise missile.
Military expert Boris Dzherelievsky stated that the design and guidance system of the S-71K increase the missile's resistance to electronic warfare systems.