Moscow, November 14 - Russia’s Su-57 Felon, long marketed as a fifth-generation stealth fighter to rival the F-22 and F-35, is facing intense scrutiny over its true stealth capabilities. Aviation analysts and defense reports now suggest the aircraft falls short of genuine low-observable standards, relying instead on conventional aerodynamic design and speed rather than radar-evading technology. Despite Sukhoi’s claims of advanced radar-absorbent materials and internal weapon bays, independent assessments reveal a radar cross-section (RCS) significantly larger than Western counterparts, potentially rendering the “stealth” label misleading.
The Su-57’s airframe features exposed rivets, protruding sensors, and engine nozzles that reflect radar waves far more than optimized stealth platforms. Unlike the F-35’s serrated edges and blended surfaces, the Felon’s design prioritizes maneuverability and thrust over signature reduction. Russian state media has showcased the jet with external missile pylons during operational deployments, a configuration that drastically increases RCS and undermines any stealth advantage. Even with internal bays, the aircraft’s overall shaping lacks the precise angular alignment needed to deflect incoming radar energy effectively.
Performance data from limited combat use in Syria and Ukraine further erodes confidence in the Su-57’s stealth profile. The jet has avoided contested airspace dominated by advanced air defense systems, operating instead at standoff ranges or in permissive environments. This tactical caution implies that Russian pilots and commanders do not trust the aircraft to penetrate modern integrated air defense networks undetected. Production delays, cost overruns, and a reliance on older AL-41F1 engines, originally developed for the Su-35, compound doubts about the program’s maturity and technological edge.
In the end, the Su-57 Felon may be better classified as a high-performance 4.5-generation multirole fighter with partial low-observable features rather than a true stealth aircraft. While it boasts supercruise potential and advanced avionics, its inability to match the radar evasion of American or Chinese fifth-generation jets limits its strategic impact. For those searching “Su-57 stealth failure” or “Russia fifth-generation fighter flaws,” the evidence points to marketing hype outpacing engineering reality. The Felon remains a capable platform, just not the invisible predator once promised.
