Summary and Key Points: Russia has finally put its Su-57 back to work in Ukraine — but not the way Moscow once promised. Rather than risk its only fifth-generation fighter in contested skies, the Russian Aerospace Forces keep it hundreds of miles back, lobbing cruise missiles from safety.
-And even that hasn’t kept the jets out of reach: in early May, Ukrainian drones reached deep into Russia and went hunting for the Felons where they were supposed to be untouchable.
Su-57. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-75 Checkmate and Su-57. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-57 Fighter From Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Went to War in the Ukraine Conflict
Russia has resumed the use of its Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighters in the Ukraine conflict, specifically utilizing them as standoff platforms to launch long-range cruise missiles, such as the Kh-59 and Kh-69, from deep within Russian airspace.
The Su-57’s scope and deployment in the war include standoff missile strikes. Rather than risking the multimillion-dollar aircraft in heavily defended frontline airspace, the Russian Aerospace Forces have been using them to conduct coordinated strikes from inside Russian airspace.
Ukrainian air raid monitoring services recorded more than 10 Su-57 cruise missile launch events. The aircraft are also frequently used to test new air-launched weapons in the Ukrainian theater. This includes the R-77M air-to-air missile and experimental hybrids between drones and cruise missiles.
Russia has revealed a new two-seat configuration (Su-57D), designed as an airborne command center where a secondary pilot manages weapon systems, electronic warfare, and drone coordination.
Because the Su-57 represents a high-value, expensive asset, Ukrainian forces have targeted them at Russian airfields, including deep-rear strikes with drones that have reportedly damaged several aircraft.
Russia Using The Su-57 In High-Tempo Operations In Kursk Oblast
Although the Russians have resumed using the Su-57 Felon along the entire Ukrainian front, its usage has been especially high-tempo in the Kursk Oblast border region, over the Azov Sea near Mariupol, and in the Crimea and southern sectors, launching Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles.
Russia PAK-FA or Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-57 Felon Fighter Russian Ministry of Defense Photo
However, the aircraft have remained well beyond the range of Ukrainian air defenses and fighter aircraft.
The DefenceBlog reported that Ukrainian military sources confirmed that Su-57s launched cruise missiles at Dnipro and over the Sea of Azov at Mariupol.
Kh-69 Cruise Missile
The DB also wrote that the Kh-69 is a subsonic air-launched cruise missile with a range of approximately 250 miles (400 Km), a reduced radar cross-section compared to earlier Russian cruise missiles, and the ability to fly as low as 66 feet (20 meters) above ground level, making it extremely difficult to detect and engage with radar-based air defense systems.
The 1,800-pound Kh-69 was first introduced in 2022 and can cruise at speeds of up to 620 mph (1,000 km). It can use either a cluster or a penetration warhead, weighing around 300 kilograms (660 lb).
The Kh-69 uses GPS and GLONASS for guidance, with inertial backup. GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema) is Russia’s space-based satellite navigation system. It operates as an alternative and complement to the United States’ GPS, the European Union’s Galileo, and China’s BeiDou
The Felon Is Russia’s Only 5th-Generation(?) Aircraft
There are three countries currently that claim to have produced 5th-generation stealth fighters: the United States ( the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II), the People’s Republic of China (the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon and Shenyang J-35), and Russia (the Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon).
Meanwhile, India is working on its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), but it isn’t expected to be fully operational until 2035.
However, the Sukhoi Su-57 is widely considered by aviation experts to be the worst-performing stealth fighter, particularly compared to its American and Chinese counterparts, such as the F-22 Raptor and J-20, due to significantly inferior stealth capabilities, limited production, and issues with technology and workmanship.
The Felon Is Not-So-Stealthy
Dario Leone, a respected aviation analyst, cites evidence of the Felon’s enormous radar cross-section (RCS), according to Abhirup Sengupta, an aviation expert, on Quora.
“Sukhoi’s own patent describes the Su-57 having a frontal RCS between 0.1 to 1 m^2 (-10 to 1 dBsm), which is comparable to that of a clean F-18E Super Hornet or Tomahawk cruise missile. Do you see anyone referring to either as Stealth?” Sengupta asked.
“Imagine if Boeing were to market F/A-18 Super Hornets or F-15 Silent Eagles with Enclosed Weapons pod and weapon bays as a ‘Stealth aircraft’ along the lines of 5th gen. aircraft, how do you think they would compare to F-35?” he added.
The Su-57 has a 1,000 times greater RCS than an F-35, he said, adding that the F-35 will be able to detect the Felon at six times the range of the Su-57.
The Su-57’s History
The Felon is capable of aerial combat, ground attack, and maritime strikes. The Su-57 incorporates stealthy characteristics, supermaneuverability, supercruise, integrated avionics, and large payload capacity.
Su-57 Felon Screengrab from Russia. Image Credit: X Screengrab.
Russia and India signed a contract in 2010 for Sukhoi and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly develop a derivative of the PAK FA, called the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Each country was to pay $6 billion, and the development was expected to take 8-10 years.
However, by 2014, the partnership fell apart. The Indian Air Force began voicing concerns about performance, particularly the stealth feature, cost, and workshare. India found that the aircraft did not meet its requirements and left the partnership in 2018.
The Su-57 is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofan engines that power the aircraft to Mach 2.45. A new engine has been in the works for a decade, but has yet to materialize.
The aircraft’s armament includes a 30 mm autocannon under the nose and various anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and anti-armor missile configurations, with eight hardpoints in the storage bays.
According to Air Force Technology, the Russian aircraft is also equipped with 3D thrust vector jets, enabling greater maneuverability and the ability to reach supersonic cruising speed.
Ukraine Attack Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighters In Deep Strike Drone Attack
At the beginning of May, Ukraine targeted Russian airfields with Su-57s in a deep-strike drone attack.
Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, Head of the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, confirmed that four advanced Russian combat aircraft were hit at the Shagol military airfield in Chelyabinsk.
The drone strike hit 1,700 miles deep inside of Russia and targeted both Su-57 Felons and Su-34 fighter bombers.
“Hunting multi-role Su-34 fighter-bombers and fifth-generation Su-57 fighters is critical to reducing the enemy’s strike potential,” Brovdi stated.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
