Russia's Su-57 Undergoes Transformation with New Engine, Avionics, and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) Upgrades

Russia's fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-57, is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of cutting-edge technologies. A recent documentary by Russian state media outlet, Russia 1, revealed advancements in propulsion, avionics, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) capabilities, signaling a leap forward in the aircraft's development.

One of the most notable upgrades is the testing of a new generation engine featuring a two-dimensional (2D) nozzle design. This innovation aims to enhance the Su-57's stealth, agility, and thrust-vectoring capabilities.

The 2D nozzle, with its radar blocker, reduces the aircraft's radar signature, aligning with global trends seen in platforms like the F-22 Raptor. Additionally, the new nozzle retains asymmetrical thrust vectoring, improving maneuverability and aerodynamic efficiency.

Further enhancing the pilot's combat effectiveness, a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) is being integrated into the Su-57's cockpit. This advanced interface provides pilots with critical flight and combat data directly in their line of sight, enabling faster decision-making and improved situational awareness. The HMD also enhances targeting capabilities for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The documentary also highlighted significant progress in integrating drones with the Su-57 for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUMT). This capability allows the Su-57 to control and coordinate with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in real-time, leveraging their surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike capabilities. This marks a strategic move by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) to enhance the Su-57's battlefield role as both a command-and-control platform and a formidable strike asset.

Looking ahead, the VKS is reportedly favoring angular, non-axisymmetric nozzles for future Su-57s. This design further enhances radar stealth by reducing the thermal and radar signature of the exhaust plume, aligning with Russia's focus on improving the Su-57's survivability against modern air defence systems.

These upgrades demonstrate Russia's commitment to advancing the Su-57 and keeping pace with global fifth- and sixth-generation fighter developments. The incorporation of stealth-enhancing 2D nozzles, HMD, and MUMT capabilities positions the Su-57 as a highly versatile platform for modern aerial warfare.

As the Su-57 continues to evolve, its combination of advanced propulsion, avionics, and networking capabilities could pose a serious challenge to Western counterparts like the F-35 and F-22 in future combat scenarios. These upgrades reinforce Sukhoi's legacy of innovation and its crucial role in shaping Russia's air power for decades to come.

 

[Rajesh]

The main criticism of the Su-57 was its lack of stealth in the rear. It seems the AL-51 with 2D engines will solve that to an extent. Stealthy character also depends on the material used for coating, and I hope they are as good as they claim. The main thing is electronics & sensors, and this is where they need to catch up. Such aircraft never stop being upgraded, and each upgrade comes with improvements. I hope we can compensate for some of our downsides in developing critical tech by acquiring those technologies, especially engines, from this program. Good luck, Russia.

 

[Raven Septimus]

No doubt the Su-57, with its 2D low-RCS thrust-vectoring nozzle, will have better stealth features and be comparable to the American F-35 or F-22. India should purchase it and, with TOT, make it in India.

Pre-thrust vectoring, the Su-57 had a radar cross-section of a meter and a half. Post-thrust vectoring is still about a meter because the vectoring only shaved about 10% off the overall cross-section profile.The F-35 and F-22 have a cross-section of 25 and 8 millimeters, respectively. Do explain to me how that is even remotely comparable.Oh, and btw, AMRAAMs can lock onto radio targets with a 30 cm cross-section at about 200km, which renders the Su-57's ability to vector thrust literally pointless.

 

[sanket]

Simple calculation: F-35 + F-22 = Su-57. With upgrading, the new iteration of the Su-57 would evolve into the best 5th-gen platform in the coming years, with engine refinement, 360-degree AESA radar coverage, MUMT, Himalaya EW, HMD. Also, the Su-57 is capable of firing heavy weapons. Russia seems to be pitching aggressively for the Su-57 for India. Aero-India 2025 is also likely to see a Su-57/Su-75 display with Astra MK3, BrahMos 2K & BrahMos-NG, Rudram family missiles, and Nirbhay missiles. The Su-57 will be a deadly platform. AMCA is still a decade away, and India can incorporate some tech and features from the Su-57 into the Super Sukhoi and AMCA. For that, Russia has to offer ToT and export rights, too, with a JV, just like the AK-203 and BrahMos missile.

 

[Jagroshan singh]

From a 3D nozzle to 2D nozzle, that sounds like a downgrade.
RIP to Pugachev’s Cobra, Cobra spin and falling leaf manuvers.

 

[PKPRS]

So much AD for 2 squadrons purchase, our target will be su-75 with flat nozzle or Tejas MK3 with Flat nozzle.

 

[Dredd]

From a 3D nozzle to 2D nozzle, that sounds like a downgrade.
RIP to Pugachev’s Cobra, Cobra spin and falling leaf manuvers.

from exposed engine nozzles to IR and radar blocking Nozzle is definitely an upgrade.

 

[The Presence]

From a 3D nozzle to 2D nozzle, that sounds like a downgrade.
RIP to Pugachev’s Cobra, Cobra spin and falling leaf manuvers.

To solve that they're angled.

Similar thing is done in the Su-30. The engine is actually 2D, but they are angled to make it 3D.

 

[Ray]

From a 3D nozzle to 2D nozzle, that sounds like a downgrade.
RIP to Pugachev’s Cobra, Cobra spin and falling leaf manuvers.

3D thrust vectoring doesn't provide any special benefit. Thrust vectoring only works in dogfights, and in the age of BVRAAMs, why sacrifice stealth for 3D thrust vectoring? 2D thrust vectoring can provide all the benefits a fighter aircraft needs. And all those maneuvers are only for air shows and not for real war.

 

[M S ChatterjiVerified member]

If Pakistan, in-spite of its bankruptcy acquires inadequate Chinese stealth fighter then two squadrons of SU-57 will be needed in India. It is most certain that F-35 is unavailable to India.

The US objection is neutralized if Pakistan acquires the Chinese stealth fighter.

 

[Gurmeet Singh]

Where are all the "Su-57 is junk" people now?

 

[Somebody]

Where are all the "Su-57 is junk" people now?

Fired from their night shift call center job, caught spending too much time in IDRW praising France and Rafale using Company property, now they had to sell their phones to meet ends, so no more comments from those guys.

 

[P.K Senapati]

No doubt the Su-57, with its 2D low-RCS thrust-vectoring nozzle, will have better stealth features and be comparable to the American F-35 or F-22. India should purchase it and, with TOT, make it in India.

 

[Reuben]

No doubt the Su-57, with its 2D low-RCS thrust-vectoring nozzle, will have better stealth features and be comparable to the American F-35 or F-22. India should purchase it and, with TOT, make it in India.

Incredibly hard to judge given that we know next to nothing about either nations radar absorbent materials and EW systems.

 

[Reuben]

Where are all the "Su-57 is junk" people now?

Likely chilling. F-35 has proven itself over Iran and the Middle East, annihilating Iranian air defences without loss. It has been produced in the 1000s and is operated by more than 15 nations.

Su-57 has been deployed sparingly over Ukraine and suffers from poor export performance and production numbers.

 

[పవన్కుమార్]

Asymmetrical adjustment of 2d thrust nozzle is clever engineering by sukhoi surpassing thinking of lockeed martin thinking of using symmetrical 2d thrust vectoring. Asymmetrical design puts lot of load of stress on alrframe in 360 degree while menuvers which sukhoi had already mastered it's strength in design engineering with easy peasy . Unlike f22 which is indeed designed to take load in 2 directions only ie. X , X' , Y and Y' and not in 360d like Su57. It cannot take load of stress if asymmetrical thrust nozzle direction.
Note :Missile chasing a Su57 cannot guess the turn direction of Su57 manuvere. Unlike

Everybody and defence experts knows , The missile chasing behind f22 with AI can easily pre guess the turn direction of f22 by monitoring the aleron/ flaperons edge direction and strike faster.

1. One up and one down implies the aircraft is to roll for direction change going for pitch or yaw. The missile must Strike at center before pitch or yaw. If in case in chase mode After roll, if two aelorons /flaperons/ thrust nozzle edge ..
2. Two down , missile has to strike down immediately,
3. Two up, missile has to strike up immediately.

Silply follow the direction of thrust nozzle edge direction to strike. So f22 has low advantage than Su57 or Su75 in design engineering. 👍🏻

 

[Sandeep]

Until Russia completes developing the jet as its FOC then India should ignore whatever Russia is offering right now. Also we should just focus on developing our own indigenous AMCA as it’s very important to our defence.

 

[rame]

For SU 57 to sustain in modern warfare Engine and Avionics will matter a lot.