Russia’s Su-57 Fighter Maintains World Leading Flight Performance Even With Heavier New Missile Load

The Russian Su-57 fifth generation fighter has demonstrated the ability to retain its characteristic high manoeuvrability even when weighted down with long range air-to-surface missiles, highlighting its considerable advantages in flight performance over the large majority of rival aircraft. Chief pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau Sergey Bogdan specifically commented on the aircraft’s high flight performance while carrying heavy Kh-58UShKE anti-radiation missiles in its weapons bays, as the aircraft did when appearing at the Dubai Airshow. He observed:

“All experts understand that equipping an aircraft with air-to-surface weapons significantly limits its G-forces, angles of attack, and overall agility. However, we have shown that the Su-57E can still perform highly manoeuvrable air combat manoeuvres, reaching critical flight modes. We execute all aerobatic routines in full, with the aircraft fully armed – that’s the key distinguishing feature.”

Bogdan stressed that carriage of anti-radiation missiles add considerable weight to the Su-57, but appeared to have little impact on its flight performance. “We demonstrated all the manoeuvres we previously showcased – critical modes, spins at stall angles of attack. What’s new is that the entire program was performed with weapons onboard,” he said in reference to the aircraft’s flight at the Dubai Airshow. This was particularly notable since the pre-production model seen at the airshow was equipped only with interim AL-41F-1 engines, rather than the new and significantly more powerful AL-51F that will facilitate a significantly higher flight performance still. The fighters are expected to demonstrate their performances with the new engines in the next two to three years, which will reportedly include the ability to cruise at speeds more than twice the speed of sound without using engine afterburners.

The Dubai Airshow held from November 17 to 21 marked the third international appearance of the Su-57, following its debut at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow in China, and its appearance at Aero India in February 2025. The fighter’s appearance carrying anti-radiation missiles follows its extensive employment for precision strikes and air defence suppression operations in the Ukrainain theatre, for which the Kh-58UShK is considered likely to have been used. Comparing the Su-57’s recent demonstration in Dubai with those of its international counterparts, Bogdan observed: “We avoid flying at high speeds during airshows. For example, aircraft like the Rafale or F-35 often accelerate to near transonic speeds, which requires longer distances from spectators and longer demonstration times. The F-35’s display can last twice as long as ours. Our aerobatic program is quite thorough yet concise, allowing both spectators and specialists to fully appreciate the aircraft’s capabilities without the monotony of repetitive manoeuvres.”