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Super-Dry will be released: Su-57 fighter awaits modernization | Articles | News
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Plans for updating the fifth-generation Russian aircraft formed even before its adoption
June 26, 2020
Anton Lavrov Roman Kretsul
Super-Dry will take off in two years. Tests of the first modernized fifth-generation fighter will begin in the summer of 2022. Officially, the product is called "Su-57 of the second stage." But among the military and aircraft manufacturers, the car received the nickname "Super-Dry." In addition to a completely new engine, the aircraft will be equipped with a package of modern avionics and airborne systems. They plan to complete the development work at the end of 2024, which will enable the transition to the release of an improved modification of the fighter. The phased implementation of improvements in the design of complex weapons such as modern combat aircraft has become common practice in Russia and abroad, experts say.
In the framework of the Megapolis
A large-scale upgrade has already been planned for the Su-57 that has not yet been adopted for service. The Ministry of Defense agreed on the timing and terms of reference for the updated “second stage” fighter, sources in the military-industrial complex told Izvestia. The technical appearance of the modernized machine has already been determined; now the task of the industry is to produce it on time. The aircraft will significantly surpass the current version in combat capabilities, sources added.
The state contract for the development and development work (OKR) of Megapolis to create the Su-57 “second stage” was signed by the Ministry of Defense and PJSC Company Sukhoi on October 29, 2018. According to the statements of the deadlines for its execution (available to Izvestia), the flight of the prototype is planned for mid-2022, and OCD should be completed at the end of 2024.
At the beginning of June, Sukhoi Company PJSC signed an agreement within the framework of the Megapolis development center to evaluate the effectiveness of the upgraded Su-57s in solving combat missions. As Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces previously said, in 2019, fighters of this type were re-tested in Syria and successfully completed all the tasks.
"Product 30"
One of the most important components of the Su-57 Megapolis modernization project will be equipping the fighter with an engine with increased power. Now the machines are equipped with a temporary engine of the first stage AL-41F1. The new generation power plant under the designation “product 30” is being developed by the “UEC-Ufa Engine-Building Production Association”.
Earlier, representatives of the United Engine Corporation (UEC) said that the new engine has “breakthrough characteristics” and will make the Su-57 an even more advanced project. Among its advantages called increased thrust-to-weight ratio: it will allow to develop supersonic speed without the inclusion of afterburner. Also, the motor will have better operational characteristics, including an increased resource. Plasma ignition system will improve fuel combustion.
As part of the design work, about two dozen prototypes of the “Product 30” were manufactured for ground and air tests. At the beginning of this year, it became known that they were already being tested in a flying laboratory. The first photos of the take-off of the Su-57 with one manufactured experimental engine appeared in March this year. The characteristic gear shape of the nozzle with a controlled thrust vector noticeable on them should reduce the radar visibility of the fighter.
According to the Deputy Minister of Defense Alexei Krivoruchko, the Su-57 with serial “30 products” will begin to be purchased from the mid-2020s. Prior to this, several dozen aircraft will be released with AL-41F1 engines.
Currently being tested pre-production samples of the Su-57. The contract for the first batch of 76 production vehicles for the Russian Ministry of Defense was signed at the Army-2019 forum. It should be completed before the end of 2027. The conclusion of a major contract significantly reduced the cost of each aircraft individually.
Change, but not all
The Su-57 will be equipped with the most modern equipment, while fundamental changes in the design of the aircraft will not be made, I am sure honored test pilot Colonel Igor Malikov. In his opinion, the development of a new modification at the stage when the creation of the basic version of the fighter has not yet been completed, it is necessary that the manufacturer subsequently begin to produce a modernized aircraft without wasting time.
“This is a natural process,” an expert told Izvestia. - The same story was with the Su-34 - it took a long time to test. During this time, new electronics appeared, more compact elements, improved weapons systems. We can observe the same thing with the Americans - they have not yet completed their F-35s, but every year they make changes and develop new modifications of the aircraft.
As Izvestia previously wrote, one of the components of the modernization of the Su-57 will be the replacement of hydraulic actuators of control surfaces with electric motors. This should reduce its visibility for radars, increase maneuverability and increase survivability in the event of damage.
The developer of the original and modernized fighter, the Sukhoi company, also announced the conduct of several more ROCs as part of the creation of the Su-57 “second stage”.
These include the development of a panoramic aviation indicator, new multi-function screens and a wide-angle collimator sight - all this should increase the situational awareness of the pilots.
In addition, the upgraded version will expand the range of guided weapons of the aircraft. According to the military, the Su-57 is a multi-purpose machine, capable of not only fighting for air supremacy, but also delivering accurate attacks on ground and surface targets.
For the aircraft, several families of “smart” missiles and bombs are being developed that can be placed in internal compartments.
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