Recently, BulgarianMilitary.com reported on the leak of a photo showing a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fighter jet equipped with an S-71 air-launched drone under its wings. This innovative munition could potentially engage the Su-57 in direct combat operations over Ukraine.
According to Israel Defense, citing Aviation Week, Sukhoi, which is part of the United Aircraft Corporation, has received permission from the Russian Defense Ministry to begin production of the S-71 drone, which was developed based on experience gained from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and is designed to improve operations on the battlefield.
Russian sources say the S-71 cruise missile drone was developed to bolster the combat capabilities of the Su-34 Fullback and Su-57 Felon. This development suggests that the Kremlin will eventually have to use the Su-57 in direct combat missions, whether it intends to or not.
The Su-34 is significantly more vulnerable than the Su-35 when it comes to interception by Ukrainian air defense systems. If the claims of Russian experts that the Su-57 is superior to the Su-35 and is harder to intercept by air defense interceptors are true, then the logical step would be to deploy this aircraft over Ukraine.
But what about the stealth capability of the Su-57 if the S-71 is deployed in Ukraine? This question can be answered by looking at two versions of the cruise missile drone. According to reports from Russia, the S-71 variant will be launched from the wings of the Su-57 and Su-34, while the S-71M version will be launched exclusively from the internal weapons bay of the Su-57.
With an eye toward optimal radar stealth defense, the S-71 features a trapezoidal fuselage, folding wings and an inverted V-tail similar to the design of modern cruise missiles.
This UAV is equipped with a small TRDD-50 turbofan engine, which has a concave ventral rear air intake. This engine also powers the Kh-59M and Kh-101 cruise missiles. The drone can reach a speed of about Mach 0.6 and reach a maximum altitude of 8,000 meters.
A key aspect of the new design is to extend range and minimize radar visibility, especially given the increased threat from Ukrainian air defenses. By favoring a simpler design over a complex multitasking system, engineers aimed to facilitate mass production.
The design of the S-71 is very similar to that of the Russian Kh-59M cruise missile. Given this similarity, the same engine and additional electronics in the S-71, it is estimated that the production of a minimum quantity of these UAVs would take about 18 to 24 months.
The Su-57, currently in serial production and potentially an integral part of the Russian defense industry, carries considerable weight. Should the Su-57 fail, it would not only be a setback for the aircraft, but also a blow to Russia’s economic engine.
First, the Su-57 will have to contend with modern Western air defense systems such as Patriot, NASAMS and IRIS-T. These radars will challenge its much-vaunted stealth capabilities. If they can be easily detected, the value of Russian stealth technology could be called into question.
Next, the Izdeliye-30 engine is a critical component. Russia markets this engine as the defining feature of the Su-57, classifying it as a fifth-generation fighter. Any failure, especially during evasive maneuvers, would diminish the credibility of this claim.
Finally, there are the onboard electronic warfare systems. While Russian engineers are known for their skills in this area – they are capable of shooting down thousands of Ukrainian drones each month using electronic warfare systems – the real test will be how these systems work when integrated into the Su-57’s structure. Are portable electronic warfare systems as effective as those built into the aircraft? We’ll soon find out.
Let’s look at the other side of the coin: what advantage will Russian aviation have by entering the Ukraine war with a Su-57 armed with an S-71? The UAV can serve as a forward reconnaissance aircraft and augment the Su-57’s situational awareness by transmitting real-time information about enemy positions, radars and other critical targets. This allows the Su-57 to stay at a safe distance while still gaining valuable intelligence about the battlefield.
The UAV can act as a decoy, diverting enemy fire and radar attention away from the Su-57. By mimicking the radar signature of a larger aircraft, the UAV can confuse enemy defense systems, causing them to waste valuable resources and reveal their positions. This diversionary tactic can provide opportunities for the Su-57 to more effectively execute its primary mission objectives.
Taking off at Mach 0.6 and flying at an altitude of 8,000 meters, a UAV can achieve a high level of stealth. The UAV’s relatively low speed and high altitude make it difficult for enemy radar and missile systems to detect and attack it. This stealth capability improves the overall survivability of both the UAV and the Su-57 and allows for more covert operations in contested airspace.
The UAV can also be equipped with electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. By jamming enemy radar and communications systems, the UAV can impair the enemy’s situational awareness and command and control capabilities. This electronic jamming can create a more favorable combat environment for the Su-57, allowing it to attack targets with less risk of counterattack.
Another advantage is the drone’s potential to carry out precision strikes. Equipped with small, guided weapons, the drone can attack important targets such as enemy air defense systems, command centers and supply lines. This capability allows the Su-57 to delegate certain attack missions to the drone, conserving its ammunition and focusing on more critical or heavily defended targets.
***
Follow us anywhere, anytime. BulgarianMilitary.com has a responsive design and you can access the site from any computer, mobile device or web browser. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Þjórsárdalur and Facebook pages. Our standards: manifesto & ethical principles.
