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Russia's Su-57 Fighter Spotted with Kh-59 Missiles Raises Questions About Stealth Efficiency.
A still image, taken from a video shared via the platform X by the account @ClashReport on October 20, 2024, shows a Su-57 Felon, Russia’s most advanced fighter jet, equipped with two Kh-59 cruise missiles, NATO designation: AS-13 Kingbolt. These missiles appear to be the Kh-59M2A variant, a modernized version designed for precision strikes against ground targets.
Russian Su-57 fighter jet spotted flying with two Kh-59 air-launched cruise missiles (Picture source: X Channel @ClashReport/ Vitaly Kuzmin)
The Sukhoi Su-57 is a fifth-generation fighter developed by Russia under the PAK FA program to replace the MiG-29 and Su-27. Intended to compete with aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35, the Su-57 is notable for its stealth capabilities, supermaneuverability, and supercruise ability. It is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1 engines, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of Mach 2 and maintain supersonic cruise speed without afterburners. Its stealth features include an integrated wing-body design, angled vertical stabilizers, composite materials, and the use of radar-absorbing materials to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS). The Su-57 is also equipped with an advanced AESA radar capable of detecting and engaging multiple targets simultaneously.
In terms of armament, the Su-57 features internal bays for carrying air-to-air missiles like the R-77M and R-74M2, as well as air-to-ground missiles such as the Kh-38M and Kh-35U. It can also use external hardpoints for less stealth-focused missions, and is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon. Its defensive capabilities include an advanced electronic warfare suite, improving its survivability in hostile environments. Despite initial production delays and technical challenges, the Su-57 has been in service since December 2020, with improved versions such as the Su-57M, featuring upgraded engines and enhanced performance, in development. Designed to minimize radar signature, the Su-57 is a significant development in Russian military aviation. However, this recent appearance of the aircraft carrying Kh-59 missiles on external pylons has reignited the debate on how these weapon systems might affect its stealth capabilities.
The Kh-59, NATO designation AS-13 Kingbolt, is an air-launched cruise missile developed by the Russian Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV). Designed in the 1980s, this subsonic missile is intended for precision strikes against both land and maritime targets. It has been integrated into various aircraft, notably the Su-24M and Su-34, which serve as its primary launch platforms, offering deployment flexibility. Over time, the Kh-59 has evolved through several variants, such as the Kh-59M, which features increased range and improved guidance systems, and the Kh-59MK2, a stealthier version designed for ground targets with a reduced radar cross-section. Its low-altitude flight capability allows it to evade enemy radars, enhancing its effectiveness in hostile environments.
Equipped with a 320kg fragmentation or penetration warhead, the Kh-59 is capable of neutralizing a variety of targets, from fortified structures to mobile units, while minimizing collateral damage. Its propulsion consists of a solid-fuel rocket booster for initial acceleration and a turbojet engine for cruise flight, allowing it to reach speeds between 900 and 1,050 km/h. For guidance, the Kh-59 uses an inertial navigation system (INS) for mid-course guidance, combined with an electro-optical or TV guidance system for terminal target acquisition, offering remarkable precision with a circular error probable (CEP) of 2-5 meters. With a range of 200 to 285 km, the missile allows its carrier aircraft to engage deep targets without exposing itself to enemy defenses.
Experts note that while the Kh-59 series is capable of precise strikes, these missiles are not designed with radar-reduction features, unlike more recent munitions like the Kh-69, which are tailored for use with stealth aircraft. Mounting these missiles externally on the Su-57 could therefore compromise the aircraft’s stealth capabilities, making it more vulnerable to radar detection during missions. This configuration may reflect certain limitations in integrating advanced weaponry with Russia’s stealth platforms, raising questions about the compatibility and operational efficiency of the Su-57 when carrying older weapons systems.
This image, although not independently verified, has circulated widely on Russian social media and has been shared by various Telegram accounts linked to sources close to the Ministry of Defense. If authentic, it suggests that Russia may still rely on older armaments despite the development of new technologies. This could be due to technical constraints or difficulties in the mass production of stealth munitions. In this specific case, the use of Kh-59 missiles, even in their modernized version, suggests that the Su-57 may face limitations in its stealth capabilities during certain ground strike operations.