The Russian Su-57 showed the missile compartments for the first time: what is the fighter armed with (video)

The video footage shows the open front main armament compartment, which houses a pair of Kh-58U anti-radar missiles with a range of 250 km when attacking from a height of 10 km. Despite the fact that the launch of missiles from the internal compartments has already been demonstrated before, detailed images of the prototype loaded with weapons are published for the first time since the first flight of the fighter 15 years ago. The War Zone reviewers write about it.

The Su-57 fighter is equipped with two large main weapons bays located in tandem between the engines. Each compartment is designed to accommodate two missiles up to 4. 2 m long with a cross-section of about 40x40 cm. Although internal placement is a key element in reducing radar visibility, analysts note, the first launch of a missile from the internal compartment was recorded in March 2016, six years after the prototype's first flight.

For air-to-air missions, the aircraft envisages the use of R-77M medium-range missiles and Izdelye 810 long-range missiles specially adapted for internal storage. For strike missions, a long-range Kh-69 missile has been developed, also designed to be placed inside the fuselage. Inside the fighter can also be placed adjusted KAB-250L air bombs, Kh-38M air-to-ground missiles in various guidance options, as well as the guided munition "Thunder" with increased range due to the wing.

Additional two "quick launch" compartments under the wing are intended for close combat missiles R-74M2. "Internal armament is a mandatory condition if it is extremely important for the Su-57 to maintain its characteristics in terms of reducing radar visibility," experts note. The UAC expects that the extended demonstration of the Su-57's capabilities at the Dubai Air Show will attract the interest of potential customers. Currently, the confirmed foreign buyer of the aircraft is Algeria.

Although in terms of export, the fighter can hardly be called attractive, given the fact that India withdrew from the joint project to create the Su-57. It will be recalled that in August it became known that Russia began to use its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets more often during the full-scale war against Ukraine.