Russian Su-57 Jet to Get New Engine, Hypersonic Weapons From 2027

Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet will be equipped with a new higher thrust engine besides being armed with hypersonic missiles by 2027.

About 25 aircraft out of 76 aircraft being manufactured under the long-term contract already concluded (between Su-57 manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Russian MoD)  be initially equipped with the new engine and hypersonic missiles, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Russian Military-Industrial Commission (MIC) Andrei Yelchaninov said in an interview with Interfax today.

The Su-57 fighter will be armed with hypersonic weapons, from 2027 the aircraft will go to the troops with a new engine (also called second stage engine), he said.

"Tests of the aircraft with the new engine should be completed by 2024. In general, tests with the delivery of the engine of the second stage will last until 2026, the delivery of aircraft in a new look is planned as part of the new state armament program from 2027," Yelchaninov said.

"In the short term, the Su-57 will be able to use hypersonic weapons, the missile is already ready," Yelchaninov said.

The hypersonic weapon earmarked for the Su-57 will most probably be the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal that has already been tested from the underbelly of a MiG-31. Believed to fly at a speed of between Mach 7-10, the missile can tear through any known defenses due to it high speed.

Earlier reports said that a weapon similar to the Kinzal would be mounted in the internal belly of the Su-57 so as to minimize its radar signature.

At the end of 2020, the first serial Su-57 was accepted into the Russian Aerospace Forces. By the end of 2024, the Russian military plans to receive another 22 such aircraft. In total, by 2028, 76 fifth-generation fighters should be produced, which will be equipped with three air regiments.

The so-called "second stage" engine (code named- product 30 produced by UEC), will provide the Su-57 with supersonic cruising speed, began flight tests in December 2017. Its increased thrust over the current first stage engine of the Su-57 (derived from the AL41 engine of the Su-35), will enable it carry a heavier weapons load.