New images released of Su-57 production

New images of an in production United Aircraft Corporation Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon) were revealed by the manufacturer after a visit by the Russian Federation defence minister.

Su-57 [UAC]
A new Su-57 Felon under construction at Sukhoi’s Yuri Gagarin factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. United Aircraft Corporation

Seventy-six Su-57 aircraft will be delivered to the Russian Federation Air Force by 2028. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) describes the Su-57 as a low visibility fifth generation multi-role fighter for air-to-air interception and attacking ground targets using avionics with a high level of automation. It is also capable of real-time data exchange with ground-based assets and other aircraft. During the ministerial visit, Ilya Tarasenko, general director of UAC subsidiary Sukhoi, Ilya Tarasenko, showed the minister the Su-57 final assembly line at Sukhoi’s Yuri Gagarin factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

“At the Sukhoi plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the modernization and technical re-equipment of production was carried out, which allows us to successfully and on time fulfil the state [defence] order [for Su-57s],” said Tarasenko.

Su-57 [Russian MoD]
This image offers a good view of the Su-57's 101KS-V infrared-search-and-track (IRST) targeting system on top of the nose and the aircraft's air-to-air refuelling probe, which have both been installed on this new aircraft. Russian Ministry of Defence

The UAC defence minister visit press release announced that by 2021 the Ministry of Defence would conclude an additional contract for Sukhoi Su-35S (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) fighters. The Su-35 is a version of the Su-27 fighter which has been modernised to significantly increase its combat effectiveness against air, ground, and sea-surface targets, according to UAC.