Armament For The Sukhoi SU-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Jet
Since its introduction to the public in December 2020 and continuing with its operational assignments in Syria and Ukraine, the name of the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jet has never been without news, and the debut of this fifth-generation fighter has always been eagerly awaited.
And after undergoing various missions, the weapons arsenal for the Su-57 is now considered 'complete', meaning that as a multirole fighter jet, the Su-57 can carry out air-to-air and air-to-surface warfare missions.
Like stealth fighter jets made in the US and China, the Sukhoi Su-57 can carry out combat operations in full stealth mode, where all weapons are stored in the internal weapon bay, as well as being able to carry weapons on an external pylon (hardpoint), which means 'reducing' his stealth abilities.
And since it was introduced three years ago, here is the complete arsenal of weapons for the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon.
9A1-4071K 30 mm auto cannon
The 30 mm 9A1-4071K auto cannon is an internal weapon on the Su-57.
This powerful weapon, housed in the root-right LEVCON fuselage, can fire up to 1500 projectiles per minute.
The range of the gun can reach targets as far as 2,000 meters and is considered effective in dogfights.
There is a thought that the canon above will be replaced with a 'silent' but deadly laser weapon.
The Su-57 Infrared Guided Air-to-Air Missile
Carries the Vympel RVV-MD short-range missile.
In the Rosoboronexport catalog, the most advanced variant of the R-73 is labeled RVV-MD.
Its nature remains a short-range air missile that uses infrared guidance (two-band infrared seekers) combined with gas and aerodynamic control, making this 106 kg missile capable of pursuing targets from various angles.
Of the weight that reaches 106 kg, 8 kg are warheads.
From the specifications, the RVV-MD is capable of speeding at Mach 2.5; this missile can pursue a maximum target of 40 km and is at least effectively fired from a distance of 300 meters.
Regarding the launch height, the RVV-MD can be launched at altitudes ranging from 20 meters to 20,000 meters.
With the maneuverability of 12g, it will be difficult to avoid this missile.
Radar-guided Air-to-Air missile
The K-77M missile, with its advanced capabilities, has revolutionized air-to-air combat for the Su-57.
This modern weapon stands out for its long firing range and use of an AESA radar for guidance.
In particular, the K-77M is optimized for targeting small, agile aircraft due to the active phased array antenna (APAA) guidance system.
This feature potentially gives the K-77M the longest 'no escape range' of any air-to-air missile globally.
The Su-57 AWACS Killer
Can bear the title of AWACS Killer with the Vympel R-37M lined up as the Very Long Range Missile.
The R-37 design has been in existence since the early 1980s and was first known to exist in 1989.
With a weight of up to 600 kg and a firing range of up to 398 km, this super-long-range air-to-air missile is being prepared by Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) as a competitor to a similarly capable missile belonging to the United States, the AIM-54 Phoenix.
Even the R-37's launch speed reaches Mach 6, while when the famous AIM-54 Phoenix is released from the F-14 Tomcat, its maximum speed is generally Mach 5.
With a shooting range beyond the visual range as well as superspeed, this missile's target is, of course, highly selective and strategic.
Let's say that the target of the R-37 is the AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) reconnaissance aircraft and C4ISTAR-capable aircraft.
Recognizing the movement of AWACS aircraft, which are protected by escorts in the form of fighter jets, the presence of a missile like the R-37 is seen as a frightening ghost for reconnaissance aircraft crews.
Several foreign websites refer to the R-37 as the "AWACS Killer."
Aerial Bomb
The KAB-500 Pentrator Bomb
Built with the power to penetrate even the most fortified targets, it proudly boasts a hefty 380 kg warhead specially designed for such a task.
PBK-500U Drel Gliding Cluster Bomb
This is no ordinary gravity bomb.
Its capabilities are truly extraordinary, making it one of the most extraordinary ammunitions used by fighter-sized aircraft.
It uses a sophisticated blend of internal and satellite guidance, complete with a built-in friend or foe identification system.
The PBK-500U are heavy hitters, weighing over 500 kg each.
But it's not just the weight that makes it impressive.
This is the bomb's unique ability to launch into its target, striking from a distance of 30–50 km with razor-sharp precision and fire-and-forget capability.
This makes it perfect for neutralizing mass armored formations.
In addition, the Su-57 can carry large air-to-surface cruise missiles, namely the Kh-38 air-to-surface missile (520 kg), the Kh-35 anti-ship missile (610 kg), the Kh-59Mk2 air-to-surface missile (320 kg), and the anti-radiation missile Kh-58UShKE (650 kg).