Russia Set to Receive First Serially-Produced Su-57

The Russian Ministry of Defense will receive the first serially-produced Su-57 stealth jet by year-end.

“In the near future, literally before the end of the year, we should deliver a serial-produced aircraft with the first-stage engine. It complies with all of the characteristics required of the fifth-generation aircraft,” Sergei Chemezov, Rostec CEO, told journalists today.

Ten Su-57 aircraft have already been delivered to the MoD as a trial batch, the official added. The first production versions are likely to be powered by AL-41 FP engines derived from one that is fitted on Su-35 fighter.

The first serially-produced Su-57 aircraft had crashed in December 2019, causing a huge setback to Russia's attempt to produce the stealth Jets for the Russian Air Force. Flight tests were suspended for over ten months. The second one marked its first flight a month ago, Russian media had reported.

In May 2019, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that manufacturers slashed prices of Su-57 aircraft and equipment by 20%, which provided the opportunity to purchase 76 Su-57 jets. The value of the contract, signed at the Army-2019 Forum, is reportedly $2.7 billion.

Recently, major progress on the development of second stage engine of the Su-57 has been reported. A test aircraft has also been seen flying with AL-41 engine in one bay and the ‘Second Stage’ engine in another. It could be classified as 5+ generation engine, due to its increased thrust over current fifth-generation fighter aircraft engines.