As Russia works on enhancing the Su-57 stealth fighter jet and aims to challenge the dominance of American F-22 and F-35 aircraft, Moscow is planning to upgrade vital components of the Sukhoi jet.
Currently, the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter is being delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Meanwhile, Sergei Smirnov, a member of the Military-Industrial Commission board, told Sputnik that artificial intelligence will be widely used in Russia’s next-gen aircraft.
“Aviation complexes of the next generation involve the further improvement of aerodynamics, new engines, new construction material, next-generation onboard equipment, including the active use of artificial intelligence, the ability to work in the network-centric interaction of various weapons systems. Research and analytical work in these areas do not stop in our country,” Smirnov said.
It takes many years to develop next-generation jets, the official added, noting that the development of an aircraft itself takes five to seven years, while the creation of an engine is an even longer process.
The upgraded version of the Su-57 fighter jet will acquire new combat capabilities through the use of a wider range of weapons, Smirnov said ahead of the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2021.
“As part of the further build-up of the Su-57 potential, we will significantly expand its combat capabilities by increasing the functional capabilities of the onboard equipment, expanding the range of aircraft weapons used, as well as implementing some other measures.
One of the key elements in the platform development is a new propulsion package, on which the United Engine Corporation is working,” Smirnov said.
The supplies of the upgraded fifth-generation fighter to the armed forces will begin as scheduled, the official added.
Earlier in June, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said that Russian armed forces will receive four Su-57 fighter jets this year during the visit to the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KNAAZ).
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“This year: [KNAAZ] is to deliver 15 combat aircraft to the customer under export contracts. As you know, the Ministry of Defense signed a long-term contract for the Su-57, this year the supply of four production aircraft,” Borisov told reporters.
