According to RIA Novosti news agency, to increase the combat capability of the Su-57 aircraft, Russian experts are developing a new long-range air-to-air missile designated KRBB. The new missile is said to be smaller in size than the air-to-air missiles currently equipped on strategic bombers such as the Tu-95MS and Tu-160, but it still has the same range. or further.
New missile for Su-57
The new rocket is smaller in size thanks to its folding wing design and meticulously crafted internal configuration, while also using large twin jet engines. The report also notes that the new cruise missile, when launched from the air, is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 600km.
This information was released after the Russian Aerospace Forces deployed long-range cruise missiles (LRCM) on Su-34Ms. Long-range cruise missiles equipped on the Su-34M have been used to attack targets inside Ukraine.
Su-57 fighter.
Russian authorities did not reveal the identity of the new missile, state media as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense kept it secret and did not specifically mention this missile.
According to Russian defense industry officials, in early 2023, the fifth generation fighter Su-57 was also equipped with a missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of 300 km.
TASS news agency quoted an anonymous source in the Russian military as saying, “the Su-57 fighter is capable of attacking targets at a distance of 120 km. But with the newly integrated missile, the Su-57 can hit targets at a distance of up to 300 km .
According to military experts, the unidentified weapon could be the R-37M air-to-air missile introduced in 1989, an upgraded version of the R-37. The Su-57 and Su-35S are capable of integrating this type of missile, allowing the aircraft to attack targets within a range of 300 km. However, the type of missile produced specifically for the Su-57 has not yet been revealed.
The Su-57 is fully equipped with modern defensive and offensive weapons, including two compartments in the middle of the body for short-range air-to-air missiles. Includes 10 internal pylons and 6 external pylons that can carry R-74M Archer and R-77M Adder air-to-air missiles; Kh-38M air-to-ground missile; anti-ship missiles Kh-31AD and Kh-35U; anti-radiation missiles Kh-31PD and Kh-58UShK.
Integrating new long-range cruise missiles on jet aircraft is very important. Experts predict that Russia can use the Su-57 for remote ground attack missions, limiting the need to penetrate enemy territory to avoid being hit by E-3 airborne early warning aircraft. US/NATO sentry detected.
R-37M missile.
Russia is constantly adapting and innovating
The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth generation multirole fighter. The aircraft is designed with two main roles: attacking ground targets and gaining air superiority. The aircraft is designed with the latest technology such as radar-absorbing coatings, secret internal weapons compartments and the ability to achieve supersonic flight speeds.
Prominent among the advanced features of the Su-57 are the communications system, pilot interface and cockpit using advanced technology. According to Russian official media, these may be technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Mr. Vladimir Artykov, Deputy General Director of Rostec, said that the Su-57 platform is in the development stage. “Its combat capabilities are increasingly improving, the most modern technologies are being integrated into the vehicle.” This, its effectiveness continues to increase .
The current contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense is for the supply of Su-57 aircraft equipped with second stage engines “Airplanes using second stage engines are currently undergoing flight testing. According to the contract, Rostec plans to upgrade the Su-57 with a new engine ,” Artykov said.
He added that the Su-57 is adapted to use engines in both the first and second stages. “Even with the first stage engine, the fighter still meets the basic requirements of a world-class aircraft. fifth system”.
The Su-57 is deployed in Ukraine to perform air patrol missions. The most notable activity of this aircraft recorded was that in June 2022, the Su-57 used long-range missiles launched from inside Russian territory and successfully destroyed a Ukrainian air defense system. .
Currently the Su-57 is being produced in limited quantities, it is expected that production capacity will be gradually increased. In fact, despite facing international sanctions, the Russian military industrial complex still delivered a full batch of Su-57 and Su-35S fighter aircraft to the Russian Aerospace Forces. .
