It's the era of stealth fighters, and two of the aicraft that really pack a punch are the American F-35 and Russia's Sukhoi Su-57. The Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter is designed to minimize detection and optimize firing from specific angles. On the other hand, the F-35 stands out for its advanced stealth technology and low radar visibility during operations.
More than 1000 F-35 jets are currently in service across several countries, with the US armed forces planning to add greater numbers to their fleets. The F-35 is designed to remain nearly invisible to radar by using special materials that absorb radar signals. In contrast, the Su-57 focusses on stealth capabilities and is engineered to attack targets effectively from specific angles. These features showcase the different approaches that both countries have taken in designing advanced fighter jets.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, first introduced in 2006, is a strong rival to Russia’s Su-57. This advanced fighter jet is based on the earlier X-35 design and has been developed mainly with funding from the US. The F-35 officially began service with the US Marine Corps in July 2014. Soon afterwards, in 2016, the US Air Force started using it, followed by the US Navy in 2019. The aircraft was first used in combat by Israel in 2018 when the Israeli Air Force deployed it during operations.
Flying High with the Sukhoi Su-57
The Sukhoi Su-57, built by the United Aircraft Corporation, is a twin-engine fighter jet designed for stealth and multiple combat roles. The Su-57 was developed as part of the Perspektivny Aviatsionny Kompleks Frontovoy Aviatsii (PAK FA) programme -- which translates to ‘Advanced Aviation Complex for Frontline Aviation’ in English and refers to the programme initiated by Russia to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, which eventually led to the creation of the Su-57.
The programme was launched in 1999 as a replacement for the earlier MFI Mikoyan projects, aiming to create a next-generation fighter jet with advanced capabilities. Sukhoi named the aircraft T-50, intending it to be the first in a series of stealth fighter jets developed by the Russian company. This marked the beginning of Russia’s efforts to produce advanced combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.
The Su-57 is designed for both ground and naval attacks. It stands out for its exceptional manoeuvrabiliy, advanced onboard systems and ability to carry heavy weapons. It is expected to eventually replace such older aircraft models as the MiG-29 and Su-27. The prototype of this jet had its first flight in 2010. The programme faced delays because of technical and structural problems. Adding to the challenges, the first aircraft meant for production crashed before it could be delivered.
According to reports from Simple Flying in April 2024, after several delays, the Su-57 officially joined the Russian Aerospace Forces in December 2020. Along with 10 test aircraft, 22 jets have been built and delivered so far.
Trivia: For the fans of Top Gun, the Su-57 made an appearance in the 2022 movie, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. In the film, it was referred to as a ‘fifth-generation fighter’ and was shown as being used by an unidentified country.
Protecting the US Skies with F-35
The US armed forces plan to acquire more than 2400 F-35 fighter jets by 2044. These will be used by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The F-35 is expected to stay in active service until around 2070. So far, over 1,000 of these aircraft have been built in different versions.
Many countries around the world use the Lockheed Martin F-35, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and, of course, the US. Other nations, such as the Czech Republic, Romania, and Portugal, are also considering adding the F-35 to their fleets in the future.
Some Orders Cancelled over Time
The F-35 has been in high demand, with many countries showing interest in buying it. However, some orders have been cancelled over time, including requests from Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE Air Force, initially, planned to buy up to 50 F-35A fighter jets. However, in 2021, the Biden Administration temporarily halted the sale before lifting the restriction in April 2021. Later that year, the UAE decided to cancel its plans to purchase the aircraft due to disagreements over the additional terms set for the sale.
Comparing the Su-57 and the F-35
| FEATURES | Sukhoi-57 | F-35 |
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Length | 65 ft, 11 in | 51 ft, 4 in (15.65 m) |
| Wingspan | 46 ft, 3 in | 35 ft (10.67 m) |
| Height | 15 ft, 1 in | 14 ft, 4 in (4.37 m) |
| Gross Weight | 25,000.18 kg | 22,470.95 kg |
| Maximum Take-Off Weight | 35,000.07 kg | 29,899.88 kg |
| Powerplant | 2 × Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofan engines | 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 afterburning turbofan |
| Maximum Speed | 2,135.59 km/h (Mach 2) | 1,297.13 km/h (Mach 1.6) |
| Range | 3,540.55 km (3,057.75 km nautical) | 2,735.88 km (2,414.01 km nautical) |
| Service Ceiling | 66,000 ft | 50,000 ft |
| Hardpoints | 12 (6 internal, 6 external) | 10 (4 internal, 6 external) |
| Guns | 1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon | 1 × 25 mm GAU-22/A 4-barrel rotary cannon |
Russia began planning its next-generation fighter jets during the Cold War. The Su-57 is Russia’s first stealth fighter, but its production has been limited due to international sanctions. Additionally, Russia’s focus on the ongoing conflict with Ukraine has slowed down the progress of this Sukhoi-developed aircraft.
Comparing the American F-35 Lightning II: The US fighter jet has been produced in much larger numbers and offers better stealth and advanced sensor technology. This puts Lockheed far ahead of Russia’s Su-57 and ensures that the F-35 will continue to be a powerful combat aircraft.
Both the Su-57 and the F-35 are among the most advanced fighter jets in the world, each with unique features that set them apart. The Russian Su-57 is known for its incredible speed and offensive power, while the F-35 has gained global popularity due to its advanced technology and high demand. Both jets offer cutting-edge military capabilities, making them valuable for various strategic and specialized missions.
The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru.
Published: 29 Jan 2025, 09:42 am IST
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