The Su-57’s design is optimized for short-range combat at the expense of stealth, meaning it is most effective when over friendly airspace in a defensive role.

The Su-57 is often discussed in the West in terms of its limitations—chiefly its insufficient stealth capabilities, as well as Russia’s inability to produce enough of the aircraft to make a difference on the battlefield. Even so, the aircraft’s aerodynamic performance grants insights into Russian design priorities—and demonstrates how the Russians intend to fight their future air conflicts.

The Su-57 Felon’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: 2020 (limited service)
• Number Built: ~30–40 (est.)
• Length: 66.9 ft (20.4 m)
• Wingspan: 46.5 ft (14.1 m)
• Weight (MTOW): ~77,000 lb (35,000 kg)
• Engines: Two Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofans (interim); planned Izdeliye 30
• Top Speed: ~Mach 2.0 (~1,535 mph / ~2,470 km/h)
• Range: ~2,200 mi (3,500 km) ferry
• Service Ceiling: ~65,000 ft (19,800 m)
• Loadout: One 30mm autocannon; internal bays (AAMs, precision strike); external hardpoints; 7,500 kg (16,500 lb) payload capacity
• Aircrew: 1

The Su-57 Shows What Russia Values in a Fighter Jet

The Su-57 reflects a distinctly Russian approach: an emphasis on kinematic performance that accepts some radar signature degradation as a tradeoff for agility. Designed to dominate maneuvering space rather than disappearing within it, the Su-57 prioritizes control authority across wide flight envelopes. To achieve this end, the Russians built an aircraft with a large blended wing-body design. Broad lifting surfaces generate high lift at low and medium speeds while a wide fuselage contributes to internal fuel volume, weapons carriage, and stability at high angles of attack.

The Su-57 is less faceted than Western stealth aircraft, but more aerodynamically forgiving. Multiple, large control surfaces—all-moving horizontal stabilizers, large vertical tails, and extensive flaperons—are built for agility first. Redundancy increases survivability and control at extreme attitudes, enabling extremely rapid pitch and yaw changes. The swept trapezoidal wings with large surface area are optimized for sustained maneuvering and high-alpha flight. This allows controlled flight at angles of attack that would stall conventional fighters and enhances close-in maneuvering and recovery.

The Su-57 is also equipped with thrust-vectoring nozzles, which provide directional control beyond aerodynamic limits. This allows maneuvering even when airflow over the control surface degrades. The thrust-vectoring nozzles are most effective at low speeds and high angles of attack. This reinforces the Russian belief in post-stall maneuverability. And while early Su-57s have used intermediate engines, the final design is intended to be built around higher-thrust power plants. High thrust-to-weight ratio will further support rapid acceleration and vertical maneuvering. The emphasis here is on energy recovery rather than sustained stealth cruise. The aerodynamics favor dynamic, aggressive flight profiles. 

By design, the Su-57 is aerodynamically unstable—like the F-16 Fighting Falcon or F-117 Nighthawk. This requires advanced flight-control computers. But instability improves responsiveness and maneuverability and reflects confidence in digital flight controls and pilot skill.

But the Su-57 Can’t See—or Shoot—as Far as Western Planes

Aerodynamic performance does not primarily serve long-range stealth penetration, and is less optimized for minimal drag at cruise or absolute low observability. BVR effectiveness, meanwhile, depends more on sensors and missiles than aerodynamics—which suggests the Su-57 expects contested, dynamic engagements, not clean first-look kills. 

The Su-57 appears optimized for WVR engagements; its aerodynamic design strongly favors WVR combat, allowing for nose-pointing authority, high-alpha missile cuing, and the ability to force overshoots. This matches the Russian emphasis on close-in engagements and high off-foresight missile employment. 

Accordingly, expect the Su-57 to be employed as an air dominance fighter over friendly territory, and as a high-performance interceptor. The aerodynamics support rapid response and defensive counter-air—with far less emphasis on deep strike penetration. Essentially, the Su-57’s aerodynamics reflect skepticism about stealth performance, and an enduring faith in maneuverability as a hedge against detection.

Still, high maneuverability does not negate modern BVR missile threats. And aerodynamic performance cannot compensate for sensor or networking gaps. These tradeoffs may reduce survivability against fifth-generation opponents. And the aerodynamic-first design principles are at odds with Western trends, which assume a stronger emphasis on stealth and BVR in future air combat.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.

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