Russian Plant to Hike Su-57 Jet Fighters' Production

Russia’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant under United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is working to increase the production of Su-57 fighters.

It is planned to increase the production of fifth-generation fighters at KnAAZ through the introduction of modern production methods, the construction of new facilities and the purchase of modern equipment.

The company has created a production line in the final assembly shops. The experience of introducing such a technological approach in the production of aircraft of the previous generation ensured a reduction in the manufacturing cycle of products by 30%. A project has been developed to introduce elements of augmented reality, which will increase the accuracy of technological operations and reduce the duration of their implementation.

A refrigeration center was also put into operation for applying special coatings that reduce the visibility of the aircraft, about 300 special stands and panels for testing the Su-57 were manufactured, and high-precision equipment was purchased to improve quality and reduce the manufacturing time of parts.

“This year, the Russian Aerospace Forces will receive new Su-57 fighters, they are in a high degree of readiness, and in the future the pace of production of these fighters will be increased. We understand how important this work is, so the plant is actively expanding and modernizing to increase production of the Su-57. At the moment, KnAAZ is loaded with orders until 2028,” said Sergey Chemezov.

In August, new facilities were laid at the enterprise for testing fighter systems and equipment. First of all, a boathouse for testing on-board radio-electronic equipment, a fuel box and an updated engine test station will be built, which will receive the first aircraft in the second half of 2023. In the future, the enterprise will build a new building for the Su-57 at the flight test station, the third stage of electroplating production. The facilities for machining and heat treatment will also be reconstructed.

“In order to ensure a growing production program, we need to additionally attract personnel. We create conditions for specialists and workers to come to our enterprises and raise wages. KnAAZ carried out a phased indexation of tariffs and salaries by a total of 24 percent. Today, the average salary at the enterprise for production workers is 84 thousand rubles. Our goal is to ensure that the average level of wages at UAC enterprises is at least 10% higher than the average in the city where it is located,” said Yury Slyusar, General Director of UAC. “Together with the regional authorities, we are implementing programs to improve the working and living conditions of our employees. In 2022, our largest plant, KnAAZ, transferred taxes in the amount of 2.5 billion rubles to the budgets of the Khabarovsk Territory and the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur.”

Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter. Created using stealth technologies, it can carry weapons in the internal fuselage compartments. It has supersonic cruising speed, is capable of maneuvering with high overloads, and is equipped with advanced electronics. Composite materials are widely used in the airframe design. He made his first flight in 2010. The contract for the supply of several dozen Su-57s of the Russian Aerospace Forces was signed as part of the Army-2019 forum.