Russia needs to sell these as an export item. Currently 12 in use (2018) in Russia / Syria.
Posted on 08/30/2019 7:04:28 AM PDT by robowombat
Su-57 has finer craftsmanship; weapons bay needs improvement
Global Times
By Liu Xuanzun in Moscow Source:Global Times Published: 2019/8/29 17:03:40
The craftsmanship of the Su-57, believed to be Russia's best fighter jet, is finer than expected but small details, such as the weapons bay door, appear to require improvement, a Global Times reporter observed.
The aircraft was exhibited for the first time on the ground on Tuesday, the opening day of 2019 International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS) in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, just behind the rostrum where Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan held the opening ceremony to the event.
The fighter jet has been seen in videos and photos, but up close the craftsmanship of the fuselage was actually finer than expected from a Russian aircraft, as the texture of its skin looked smooth despite the rivets.
This impression was enhanced when the Su-57 was moved away from the rostrum to the static display ground on Wednesday, where it was exhibited next to the Su-35 and Su-30.
However, the weapons bay door did not seem to fit together perfectly when closed, which could have an impact on flight performance and stealth capability, analysts said.
The air intakes were blocked at the display so nothing could be seen inside the engines.
The Su-57 is one of the most attractive items at MAKS 2019.
Dubbed the Su-57E, the exhibited Su-57 is available for export, as countries including Turkey and India are among potential buyers, according to media reports.
Russia has offered China the aircraft, foreign media reported, and there is no report on a Chinese response.
Some Chinese analysts said that China already operates its own stealth fighter jet, the J-20, while the stealth capability of the Su-57 remains questionable, so there is no need for China to make a purchase.
Others said that there are still a lot of innovative concepts and advanced technologies used on the Su-57 like the directional infrared countermeasures system and the engines.
A military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times that China should conduct performance comparison tests between the Russian and Chinese aircraft under real combat scenarios, which would give China a better understanding of the Su-57's true capabilities, before the country decides whether a purchase is worthwhile.
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TTIUWOP
Russia needs to sell these as an export item. Currently 12 in use (2018) in Russia / Syria.
No photos at the source, go figure...
Yeah! Friday morning aircraft porn!
What is that pimple at the pilots 12:00?
Just a guess, but FLIR pod maybe?
CC
Seems like they could have made it a bit more aerodynamic!
Looks like a bubblegum cop light off Sheriff Taylor’s car!
Infrared sensor
You know the engines are running good when the afterburners are that nice clear blue color.
What is an IR sensor for? Inbound missiles or aircraft or ?
The aircraft is superior to f-35 apart from canopy frame and rear-aspect stealth. It is closer to f-22 than to to f-35 but L&M would pay for any news stating differently because it would hurt their sales.
This looks like a great modern aircraft. It would be bad if China bought these.
If you will research Yak-141 you’d learn that f-35 was a Russian design. Refined by Lokheed Martin no doubt.
Imagine China’s reaction if Russia sold some to India.
India sucks in this case. It failed to finance Sukhoi development extorting kickbacks in exchange. Turkey and China would be primary non-Russian users.
Interesting spurs at the corners of the wings. Are they supposed to work like the upturned winglets on commercial planes?
Hmm... One does not usually associate fine craftsmanship with anything Russian. I mean where are all those Zils?!
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