Russia and China are displaying their prowess in the 5th-generation fighter jets at the ongoing Zhuhai Air Show.
China and Russia are showcasing their 5th-generation fighter jets at the ongoing Zhuhai Air Show. The Russian Su-57 and Chinese J-35 are both available for export to other countries. Each aircraft is competing to prove which is more high-tech and holds the upper hand. Notably, this is the first foreign appearance of Russia’s Su-57 Felon, hinting at the closeness of Russia-China ties. Meanwhile, China has introduced its second stealth fighter jet, the J-35, with rumours circulating that this impressive machine was developed using U.S. military technology. On Tuesday, the J-35 took to the skies at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, its twin engines roaring through the Chinese sky.
Russia’s Su-57 Fighter Jet
Russia’s most cutting-edge frontline aircraft, the Su-57, comes to life at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant nestled in the farthest ends of Russia. The country is hopeful that with Su-57, considering their answer to the US F-35 and China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon, they could perhaps entice the Indian Air Force to mull over this stealth fighter. The Su-57, being Russia’s breakthrough fighter jet after the Cold War, has been in the pipeline for almost two decades. However, the chances of it being mass-produced any time soon seem unlikely due to the financial strains from the Ukraine invasion.
China’s J-35 Fighter Jet
China’s recent introduction of its new stealth fighter, the J-35, marks its second venture into radar-evading aircraft, following their J-20. This development aims to place China’s airforce on a level playing field with the globally renowned US airpower, famed for its F-35 and F-22 jets. Tailored for integration with China’s burgeoning aircraft carriers, currently two in service and one undergoing trials, the J-35 demonstrates China’s commitment to upgrading its fleet. Plus, export possibilities exist; countries like Pakistan may view J-35 as a viable low-end stealth selection that cleverly ties in know-how from the J-20. Notably, the West reserves its doubts about the Su-57 ‘Felon.’ A scene from the movie Top Gun: Maverick shows off this sentiment when Tom Cruise’s character combats and triumphs over Su-57 jets, all in his reliable F-14 Tomcat.
The Su-57 aircraft’s limited production has been quite a hurdle. Since its original launch in 2010, less than 40 units have been rolled out in the span of 14 years. This predicament can be mainly attributed to hold-ups in design, development, and the slower-than-expected pace of production, further amplified by the impacts of Western sanctions. In fact, actual construction didn’t kick off until 2019, shedding light on the industrial limitations that have derailed Russia’s military expeditions. Western experts estimate the aircraft’s Radar Cross-Section (RCS) to be around 0.5 square meters, similar to a regular 4th-generation aircraft, and considerably larger than the F-35 fighters.
Felon’s Path to Aerial Supremacy
Aviation enthusiasts in China have criticised the Russian fighter jet’s first appearance at the International Air Show. Social media users from China highlighted several flaws concerning the Russian jet’s structure.
- The aircraft’s body panels were poorly attached to the frame, with numerous bolts sticking out.
- Along with this, they noticed an assortment of screws – including Philips, crosshead, straight head, and hexagonal types – were used to fix the tail.
- Furthermore, they’ve shared concerns about the misalignment of the internal weapons compartment’s wings and doors.
- The first crash of the Su-57 aircraft occurred during a test flight in 2019, marking the total loss of this model.
- A T-50 prototype suffered significant damage from an engine fire in 2014, delaying the aircraft’s introduction into the Russian Aerospace Forces.
- During the military conflict in Ukraine that began in 2022, various Russian fighter jets were deployed, but Su-57s were notably absent.
- By 2022, the Russian Aerospace Forces were reported to be operating only one Su-57 aircraft, according to Flight International’s World Air Forces report.
- Plans to expand the Su-57 fleet to 22 aircraft by the end of 2024 and up to 76 by 2027-28 are now at risk due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
So far, Russia has not succeeded in fitting the new stealth-optimized Saturn AL-51 engine into Felon. The S-57 is still using old Saturn AL-41F1 after-burning turbofan engine.
Russia has a strategy to use the S-70 Okhotnik (Hunter-B) combat drone alongside the Su-57, providing supplemental support for the stealth fighter plane. Yury Slyusar, the presiding director of UAC, has intimated in the past that the Su-57, categorized as a fifth-generation craft, is a step closer to the sixth-generation aircraft creation and will aid in the advanced development of this fleet of planes.
Debut Of China’s J-35
The remarkable J-35, China’s newest stealth fighter jet, turned heads at the recent Zhuhai Air Show. This medium-sized, multipurpose stealth fighter originated from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Specifics about its performance and capabilities are yet to be extensively documented, but it’s intriguing to note how it visually echoes Lockheed Martin’s F-35.
- The J-35 fighter jet is an upgraded version of the J-31, enhancing its operational range and payload capacity.
- This new model aims to tap into overseas markets, indicating a strategic expansion for China’s military aviation.
- The J-35 features significant improvements in cockpit design and visibility, inspired by the F-35B.
- Its reinforced landing gear and foldable outer wing sections enhance its functionality on aircraft carriers.
- Equipped with advanced AESA radar, the J-35 offers superior situational awareness for pilots.