Comparing the American F-22 with the Russian Su-57.

According to National Interest, to compare the fifth-generation fighter jets of the two countries, one must first understand their design objectives. The Su-57 fighter jet is primarily used for defensive missions, while the F-22 has very strong offensive capabilities.

The introduction of the Su-57 is seen as a benchmark for the comprehensive revival of the Russian military industry. It is of decisive importance in breaking the US monopoly on fifth-generation fighter aircraft and countering the US-dominated air force.

The Su-57 is touted as "the epitome of Russian aviation excellence." Compared to the American fifth-generation F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, the Russian stealth fighter has both advantages and disadvantages.

The Su-57 fighter jet has good maneuverability. Russia has an advantage over the US in vector thrust technology research, so the Su-57 will use high-thrust engines with vector thrust control technology and 3D nozzles with good performance characteristics.

To enhance maneuverability, the Su-57's aerodynamic design has achieved two major innovations: First, the "integrated canard" (small forward winglets, canards, and a canard). This improves lift control while maintaining stealth capabilities.

The fighter jet is designed with a sloping tail that can rotate in all directions. Both the sloping and flat tails of the Su-57 are very small, indicating that Russia's thrust-redirecting capabilities have reached a relatively high level.

The Su-57 continues to employ a belly air intake layout, coupled with lower wing pressure than the F-22, giving the Su-57 relatively good stability and maneuverability at high angles of attack, and potentially superior maneuverability compared to the F-22. Due to its powerful engines, it has a short take-off/landing range and a large ammunition load.

The Russian stealth fighter can take off and land within a range of 400 meters, compared to the F-22's range of 450-916 meters. The Su-57 has a larger ammunition load than the F-22, with a combat payload of up to 6 tons. Inside, it has three weapons bays, with the ammunition bay occupying one-third of the aircraft's total space, and it can also carry weapons externally.

It can launch missiles at high supersonic speeds, whereas American fifth-generation fighter jets need to decelerate before launching missiles. A major advantage of the Su-57 is its relatively low cost. The projected cost for mass production of the Su-57 in the future is around $80-100 million, equivalent to 60% of the cost of manufacturing the F-22.

Furthermore, the Su-57 also has unique features in its cockpit design. Through the installation of a new oxygen supply system and ejection seat, the impact of high gravity on the pilot is reduced, significantly increasing pilot comfort and allowing them to focus on tactical missions.

Although the Su-57's research, development, and flight testing came later than that of the US fifth-generation fighter jet, giving it a certain "latecomer advantage," in many respects, the Su-57 still lags behind the US military's fifth-generation fighter jets.

Firstly, it is inferior in terms of avionics. The Su-57 uses an advanced radar system that can detect targets beyond 400 km, simultaneously track 60 airborne targets, and attack 16 of them.

The aircraft is equipped with a new type of radio countermeasures and reconnaissance system, capable of detecting and jamming the enemy without revealing itself. Pilot control and command of the aircraft have also been fully digitized.

However, the Su-57 lacks a highly intelligent integrated information system, automatic jamming countermeasures, and automated control systems required of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Compared to the American "multifunctional integrated RF system," the Su-57 also lacks full-band self-defense capabilities.

Stealth capabilities are insufficient. The Su-57 fighter jet employs plasma stealth technology; its nose, cockpit, wings, and air intakes all feature unique designs, and its weapons bay is internally mounted, resulting in a radar cross-section of only 0.5 m², yet its stealth capabilities are clearly inferior to the F-22.

With the same radar system, the Su-57's detection range is double that of the F-22. Therefore, although the Su-57 fighter may surpass the F-22 in some features, it is difficult for it to comprehensively outperform the US military's fifth-generation fighter in terms of overall performance.