First Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jet Enters Russian Military Service

Several months ago, we reported that the Sukhoi Aircraft Company, part of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, started series production of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets.

Now a new report specifies that the first serial-produced Su-57 has rolled off the production line and has been delivered to Russia’s Aerospace Force, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko told the press late last week.

“As for the program of creating fifth-generation aircraft, we can see together with you that the first serial-produced Su-57 plane is actually ready for its delivery to the troops. It will be delivered to the Aerospace Force before the end of this year,” Krivoruchko said. 

Russia’s Aerospace Force is expecting to receive 76 Su-57s by 2028, he said.

“Next year, we are expecting to get another such plane, and subsequently, their production will grow manifold,” he added.

Back in August, Krivoruchko said the Su-57s are “the most advanced fifth-generation multirole fighter jet, which will boost the domestic Aerospace Force’s combat capabilities.”

The Su-57 is a multirole stealth fighter that is capable of maintaining supersonic cruising speed and is equipped with advanced onboard radio-electronic equipment, including a powerful onboard computer, advanced radar system, and armament placed inside its fuselage. The plane can track 60 targets and open fire at 16 of them concurrently.

The fifth-generation fighter jet has been battle-tested in combat conditions in Syria.

Su-57 over Syria. Video from Russian MoD pic.twitter.com/iCEnKfvV74

— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) November 19, 2018

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Su-57 has the potential to evade US radar systems and launch hypersonic missile attacks at asset-heavy areas across Europe, Alaska, and even on the US West and East Coasts. The next world war will be fought with fifth-generation fighters and hypersonic weapons.