Russia ramps up production of advanced Su‑57 Felon fighters

The Russians are trying to increase the production capabilities of the fifth-generation Su-57 Felon fighters. New facilities have been established at the Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, which produces these machines. According to Defence Blog, this is not the end of investments in this place, which are set to enhance Russia's combat capabilities.

At the Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (KnAAZ), a unique building for testing the aircraft's fuel system has been constructed, among other things. The Russians have also completed the first phase of creating a hangar designed for testing and integrating onboard radio-electronic equipment. According to Defence Blog, the investments will continue, and the Russians are already planning to build new facilities.

Alexander Pekarsh, the director of the United Aviation Corporation (UAC) branch in KnAAZ, believes that these efforts will help increase the efficiency and technological advancement of Su-57 production. This, in turn, will enable meeting the Russian Ministry of Defense's requirements in the field of Su-57 fighter production. Currently, these machines are sporadically used for combat missions over Ukraine.

"The modernization and expansion of the production capabilities of the plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is part of a multi-year investment program involving significant state funds and the corporation's own resources," said Yuri Slyusar, head of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).

The Su-57 (NATO code Felon) is a Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It was developed in response to the American Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program and the American F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter. The plane was first flown in 2010, but only in 2019, after years of testing and prototype improvements, that the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract to deliver 76 Su-57 fighters, assuming that deliveries would be completed by 2028. At that time, Putin presented the Su-57 as "the best military aircraft in the world."

The Su-57 is a twin-engine air superiority fighter built in a conventional configuration. Its length is approximately 20 metres, and its wingspan is nearly 15 metres. Two Saturn AL-41F turbofan engines power the aircraft. The empty mass of the Su-57 is 18,000 kilograms, with a maximum takeoff weight of 35,000 kilograms. The primary armament of the fighter is a 30 mm 9A-4071K cannon. The Su-57 also has 6 internal and 6 external weapon hardpoints for carrying, among other things, missiles, including the R-77, R-37M and Kh-69 cruise missiles. The Su-57 is often referred to as the most advanced Russian aircraft.