Moscow, November 13 - Russia's ambitious aerospace sector faces mounting pressures from international sanctions, yet innovative adaptations persist in its pursuit of next-generation stealth technology. Recent intelligence revelations have exposed a pragmatic strategy: the recycling of components from the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet into the classified PAK DA stealth bomber program. This move underscores Moscow's determination to bolster its long-range aviation capabilities amid production bottlenecks. By repurposing proven Su-57 subsystems, Russian engineers aim to accelerate development of the PAK DA, codenamed Poslannik, a flying-wing design intended to rival the U.S. B-21 Raider in stealth and payload capacity.
At the heart of this integration are specialized hydraulic actuators and geared hinges, such as the 80RSh115 and 80RSh models, originally engineered for the Su-57's internal weapon bays to maintain low radar observability. These mechanisms, evolved from earlier 50RSh-65 variants, control the precise opening and closing of bays on the PAK DA, ensuring seamless deployment of munitions while minimizing infrared and radar signatures. Sourced from the Experimental Design Bureau of Motor Engineering (OKBM), these parts represent a direct lineage from the fighter's multirole architecture to the bomber's strategic framework. Such cross-utilization not only conserves scarce resources but also leverages the Su-57's battle-tested reliability, honed through limited deployments in high-threat environments.
Western sanctions have severely hampered Russia's access to advanced tooling and precision manufacturing, delaying the PAK DA's timeline originally slated for first flight in 2025. With production stalled at key facilities, the decision to recycle Su-57 elements emerges as a cost-effective workaround, bypassing import restrictions on critical alloys and electronics. This approach highlights vulnerabilities in Russia's defense industrial base, where domestic innovation struggles against global isolation. Nonetheless, it signals resilience, as the PAK DA's subsonic cruise profile and estimated 30-35 tonne payload promise enhanced deterrence, potentially armed with hypersonic missiles for deep-strike missions.
As the PAK DA inches toward serial production around 2027, this component-sharing tactic could redefine resource allocation in Russian military aviation. For global observers tracking stealth bomber advancements, it serves as a reminder of how geopolitical constraints fuel unconventional engineering. While the program's opacity breeds speculation, the fusion of Su-57 ingenuity with PAK DA ambitions positions Russia to sustain its nuclear triad, even if through recycled ingenuity rather than unbridled progress.