Defense News ,Russia :- Russia is set to introduce advanced Su-57 fighter jets with a new engine starting in 2024.
The upgraded Izdelie-30, also known as AL-51F1, engine has completed testing and is ready for production, according to state-owned TASS, citing two sources.
The engine boasts an afterburner thrust of 18,000 kilograms (39,683 pounds), enabling the Su-57 to supercruise at speeds over Mach 2 without using fuel-intensive afterburners that increase heat signatures.
Previously, the Su-57 lacked supercruise without an afterburner, affecting its "stealth" and fifth-generation capabilities.
The Izdelie-30 has been tested on the Su-57 since 2017, replacing the AL-41F1 used in the Su-35. Russia's upcoming fifth-generation aircraft, the Su-75, is also expected to feature this advanced engine, with its first flight scheduled for mid-2025.
In 2023, Russia deployed Su-57s with the first-stage Izdelie-30 engine in Ukraine. However, there are no plans to retrofit the existing Su-57s with the new engine, as the first-stage engines are deemed capable. According to sources, even with the first-stage engine, the Su-57 surpasses the capabilities of the US F-35.
The first-stage engine, developed by the AM Lyulka Design Bureau, provides the Su-57 with super-maneuverability, a better thrust-to-weight ratio, and low visibility. Additionally, it features an oxygen-free plasma ignition system in both the main and afterburner combustion chambers, offering a technological advantage.
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