Russia Is Trying to Make Its Disappointing Su-57 a Six-Gen Fighter Jet
While Russia claims its Su-57 is already one of the most advanced jets in operation anywhere, Western experts have their doubts.
Russia is attempting to transform its elusive Su-57 fighter jet into a sixth-generation aircraft, but experts believe such modifications are unlikely to position Moscow as a formidable competitor in the realm of advanced jet programs led by the United States and China. The single-engine Su-57 has been marketed as Russia's most advanced stealth fighter, matching the capabilities of U.S. F-35s and F-22s.
However, Western analysts argue the Su-57 falls short in terms of radar-detection evasion. An enhanced variant, the Su-57D, will incorporate a secondary cockpit to manage drone operations accompanying the jet, according to Russia's defense corporation Rostec. Despite being heralded as a sixth-generation aircraft, the Su-57D may actually be a two-seater version of the original, or it could showcase improved avionics, according to Justin Bronk, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London.
The Su-57D is currently undergoing test flights following its initial two-seater flight in May, as stated by Rostec. Russia has a fleet of at least 21 Su-57s at the start of 2026, though Ukraine claims to have damaged at least one in June 2024. Russian media reported a Su-57 crash near Moscow during a routine training flight in July, though the Russian government did not specify the jet's type.
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