Russian Su-57 Aircraft Thread (PAK-FA and IAF FGFA)
- Thread starter A Bar Brother
- Start date
New delivery for VKS includes visible and allegedly internal systems changes, new sensors plus expanded munitions options (incl. new AAMs?)
New AAMs less likely; Russia is rarely so sneaky as to introduce new weapons without outside noises.
There are however new known strike weapons which appeared beyond original su-57 weapon contracts. Most obviously, S-71 and hypersonics.
The interesting question now is what did we in fact see.
These new 101-ks-u (if it's still called this way) sensors, as far as we understood before, were part of Su-57m (Megapolis) - which is Su-57 counterpart to J-20a or F-35 blk.IV.
At the same time, while we see these sensors and apparently new cockpit - we don't see new engines; as such, other internal updates (radars?) are under a question mark; N036 set may be updated, it may be not. It in any case they almost certainly updated processing/fusion - merging 720deg IR into seamless high definition picture (which won't make pilot dizzy) isn't an easy task. Until now, as per my understanding, this was done via DIRCM turrets or assisting FLIR, and as such it wasn't really a problem (much easier to solve if you don't merge much).
Honestly, it will be a bit suprising, as (at least per earlier industrial plans) Russia didn't even plan to achieve GaN radar production until next year(2027). And as such it's rather early for a true Su-57M to appear.
It is certainly something intermediate, but to what degree intermediate it is - it's an interesting question. If under the hood there are in fact new GaN radars,coupled together with j-20a/j-20s and j-35 production status...F-35 AN/APG-85 news will turn sort of funny.
Market superiority fighter compromising whole United States in such a manner is unusual achievement.
These new 101-ks-u (if it's still called this way) sensors, as far as we understood before, were part of Su-57m (Megapolis) - which is Su-57 counterpart to J-20a or F-35 blk.IV.
At the same time, while we see these sensors and apparently new cockpit - we don't see new engines; as such, other internal updates (radars?) are under a question mark; N036 set may be updated, it may be not. It in any case they almost certainly updated processing/fusion - merging 720deg IR into seamless high definition picture (which won't make pilot dizzy) isn't an easy task. Until now, as per my understanding, this was done via DIRCM turrets or assisting FLIR, and as such it wasn't really a problem (much easier to solve if you don't merge much).
Honestly, it will be a bit suprising, as (at least per earlier industrial plans) Russia didn't even plan to achieve GaN radar production until next year(2027). And as such it's rather early for a true Su-57M to appear.
It is certainly something intermediate, but to what degree intermediate it is - it's an interesting question. If under the hood there are in fact new GaN radars,coupled together with j-20a/j-20s and j-35 production status...F-35 AN/APG-85 news will turn sort of funny.
Market superiority fighter compromising whole United States in such a manner is unusual achievement.
Last edited:
First few batches of Su-57"M" will feature Chinese GaN radar as a stopgap before switching over to local Russian product.
"M" is in quotations because there will be no Su-57M variant, they will all be named Su-57. "Megapolis" is the R&D name. Now that current Su-57 batches that feature some of the Megapolis technologies, the difference between this variant and the future ones don't warrant a new name.
George said this so I'm trusting it actually.
"M" is in quotations because there will be no Su-57M variant, they will all be named Su-57. "Megapolis" is the R&D name. Now that current Su-57 batches that feature some of the Megapolis technologies, the difference between this variant and the future ones don't warrant a new name.
George said this so I'm trusting it actually.
Last edited:
A Chinese radar in a Russian fighter? Really ... would be indeed a first!
Do you have his post at hand?
He was probably referring to the GaN TRMs or components for, rather than the whole radar.