Sukhoi Su-57 Meta Thread

As an experiment, let's see if we can put information, news and pictures of Sukhoi's Su-57 (formerly PAK-FA and T-50). I think it would do well for us to mimic what we've been doing in the SR-72 thread: that has been a general thread about hypersonics, not just the SR-72. In this case, the thread would be strictly for the Su-57. I would have used to most recent thread, but the title is a bit...negative about the project and whatever I may think and feel about the Su-57's future personally, there's a lot of information and pix to be shared without the inherit bias of the title.

To kick off, here's a nice shot of the Su-57:



They have improved the manufacturing, but there are still glaring issues, I'd say (bay doors, the numerous protrusions, frex).

a reply to: anzha

Good idea. It'll be a lot easier to keep up with the information in one spot rather than shotgunned around the boards.

a reply to: anzha

Here is a video of a pretty cool maneuver done by the SU-57.



Another video.



Some pics







And a graphic

a reply to: LookingAtMars

The first video appears to have been sped up.

The F-35 haters are hating on the Su-57:

nationalinterest.org...

I thought I would add this great image showing the positions of the different systems.

1 Front , 2 side, and 1 rear facing radar. Infrared sensor in the front, laser optical countermeasure turrets top and bottom. To name a few.

Edit to add:
Here is a good resource. It's written by a fanboy. Still very informative.

fullafterburner.weebly.com...

I wonder why Russia don't have DSI like China and America do? The latest Chinese and American planes like JF-17, J-10, J-20, F-35 all have DSI.

Su-57 maintains traditional air intake like F-22 does. F-22 is understandable, because it was developed before DSI was developed in the mid 1990s.

a reply to: zukli

maybe because the Su-57 and F-22 are designed for different angle of speed?.

a reply to: zukli

More than one source says the F-22 has it. It might just be the Su-57 that does not.

SU-57 with 101KS-N sensor


Comparison size

originally posted by: anzha
a reply to: zukli

More than one source says the F-22 has it. It might just be the Su-57 that does not.

DSI significantly reduces plane's radar signature. DSI does not have splitter. DSI is fused with plane body. F-22 does not have DSI.

en.wikipedia.org...

a reply to: zukli

Because it's difficult to get correct geometry. Inlet design is already a bit of witchcraft. Ramps, cones, doors already have generations of experience behind them. DSI inlets require new math. And what works for one engine may need a completely different configuration for another engine. If they are looking to the next engine, for example, there's no reason to produce a taliored example for the current development models. And the improvement over traditional ramps is somewhat minimal and focused on a specific range of airflow velocity whereas ramps and shock cones can be optimal across the envelope.
Sort of like choosing between a swing-wing or fixed -wing solution. Is good enough, good enough or do you need a tailorable configuration?
Having said that, you get a lighter, less complex solution, which may even out perform the ramps or cones across key areas. So properly designed DSI is likely to continue to be seen on supersonic aircraft, regardless of signature benefits.

originally posted by: RadioRobert
a reply to: zukli

Because it's difficult to get correct geometry. Inlet design is already a bit of witchcraft. Ramps, cones, doors already have generations of experience behind them. DSI inlets require new math. And what works for one engine may need a completely different configuration for another engine. If they are looking to the next engine, for example, there's no reason to produce a taliored example for the current development models. And the improvement over traditional ramps is somewhat minimal and focused on a specific range of airflow velocity whereas ramps and shock cones can be optimal across the envelope.
Sort of like choosing between a swing-wing or fixed -wing solution. Is good enough, good enough or do you need a tailorable configuration?
Having said that, you get a lighter, less complex solution, which may even out perform the ramps or cones across key areas. So properly designed DSI is likely to continue to be seen on supersonic aircraft, regardless of signature benefits.

All the new Chinese and American planes have DSI. In fact, JF-17 specifically got DSI in a later prototype before serial production started. Chinese and American consider DSI vital on every new plane. It is likely Russians don't have DSI technology.

a reply to: zukli

The Su-57, like the F-23, has substantially curved inlets to slow the air which also hides the compressor blades. The Raptor 's inlet curves around the bay which works similarly, though less pronounced. The Raptor and Sukhoi both retain splitter plates for boundary layer separation. The F-23's BLCS was a bit different.

a reply to: zukli

Don't have it or have decided it isn't worth building the intakes on an airframe that gets the same signature benefits from other means? Also not impossible to develop/install once the new engine's airflow requirements are settled.

a reply to: RadioRobert



not hidding enough

a reply to: drwire

All that high-alpha maneuverability probably comes at a bit of a cost in terms of intake complexity, especially given what I assume are the relatively limited resources at Sukhoi. You have to remember that they're trying to design a 5th generation air superiority fighter on the kind of budget normally seen at Cessna or Gulfstream.

originally posted by: drwire
a reply to: RadioRobert

not hidding enough

Correct. DSI hides engine a lot better. That's why every new Chinese and American plane has it. F-22A was designed before there was DSI. F-22B would have got DSI if the F-22 project was not terminated in 2009.

originally posted by: Barnalby
a reply to: drwire

All that high-alpha maneuverability probably comes at a bit of a cost in terms of intake complexity, especially given what I assume are the relatively limited resources at Sukhoi. You have to remember that they're trying to design a 5th generation air superiority fighter on the kind of budget normally seen at Cessna or Gulfstream.

Russia labor cost is 10% of America labor cost. Russia GDP per capita is 10% of America GDP per capita. In terms of proportion, Russia spends a lot more on defense than America does.

originally posted by: drwire

SU-57 with 101KS-N sensor

Comparison size

Can't believe Su-57 still uses targeting pod. J-20 and F-35 have internal low RCS EOTS. Russian planes are relatively primitive, lacking DSI and EOTS.