The appearance of the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet in China for the first time is a milestone in the history of the aircraft, but also a certain embarrassment for the alleged stealth qualities of the project.
During its stay in Taiyuan, on its way to Zhuhai, where it will participate in the 2024 China Airshow, the fighter jet was surrounded by curious onlookers.
One of them recorded a close-up video of the Su-57, revealing a series of details that do not befit a stealth aircraft.
Exposed rivets, poorly fitted joints and numerous misalignments are points that should be avoided in a fighter jet that claims to have a lower radar signature.
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It is also noted that the surfaces of the Su-57 do not appear to use any RAM (radiation-absorbent material).
On Chinese social media, several comparisons have emerged with the Chengdu J-20 fighter, the country’s most advanced, which has already received signs of concern from the US Department of Defense.
The Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fighter after arriving in China for the first time. #sukhoi #su57 #zhuhaiairshow pic.twitter.com/qbQDdIuOFZ
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Stealth questioned for a long time
The lack of quality shown by the aircraft, the 4th prototype (T-50-4) built, is not surprising. Several Western experts have long pointed out that the so-called Russian stealth projects lack technology of this kind.
Although the Su-57 has some elements that follow the stealth manual, such as symmetrical angles, hidden vertical stabilizers and an internal weapons compartment, in general the supersonic jet suggests that it is a 4.5 generation fighter.
The alleged decoy proposed by Russia had already been suggested after the downing of the S-70 combat drone in Ukraine. The aircraft is derived from the Su-57 and as it did not have stealth elements as expected.
It is unclear, however, why the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the state-owned company that owns Sukhoi, did not invest in the basic stealth lessons that have been known for decades.
The 1999 downing of a US Air Force F-117A over Serbia was certainly an opportunity for Russia to gain access to the type’s technology, even if it was first-generation.
Perhaps the Su-57’s debut in Zhuhai at the Zhuhai Airshow may be a bad idea.
