Recent imagery has unveiled the inner workings of the Su-57 Felon’s weapons bay, providing a detailed look at its internal structure during ground operations at a Russian airbase. This follows earlier visuals that offered a clear view of the aircraft’s side weapons bays, emphasizing their role in maintaining the stealth fighter’s low-observable profile. These revelations contribute to ongoing assessments of the Su-57 Felon’s overall design efficacy.
Design Evolution of the Su-57 Felon
The Su-57 Felon, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, has undergone a significant evolution since its initial development. The prototype was first rolled out in 2010, marking a significant milestone in Russia’s aviation history. However, the journey towards the finalized airframe observed in 2025 testing was fraught with engineering challenges, particularly in integrating stealth features into the aircraft’s design.
As of September 12, 2025, the Su-57 Felon has entered limited serial production, with deliveries being made to the Russian Aerospace Forces. This marks a significant step in the aircraft’s development timeline, showcasing Russia’s commitment to advancing its air power capabilities.
Overview of Internal Weapons Bays
The primary ventral weapons bay of the Su-57 Felon, as revealed in the first look on October 18, 2025, is designed to carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The bay’s doors and mechanisms are engineered to minimize radar cross-section during weapon deployment, a critical feature for maintaining the aircraft’s stealth capabilities.
Declassified imagery has confirmed the bay’s compatibility with Russian precision-guided weapons, such as the Kh-38M series. This compatibility further enhances the Su-57 Felon’s operational versatility and effectiveness in combat scenarios.
Side Weapons Bays Configuration
The Su-57 Felon features dual side bays designed for short-range missiles. Clear visuals from November 5, 2024, show these bays accommodating up to six R-74M2 infrared missiles while preserving the aircraft’s aerodynamic stealth shaping. This configuration allows the Su-57 Felon to carry a significant payload without compromising its stealth profile.
Comparatively, the side bays offer a distinct advantage over external hardpoints used for non-stealth missions. The integration of these bays into the aircraft’s design allows for a more streamlined and stealthy profile, enhancing the Su-57 Felon’s operational capabilities.
Stealth Implications of Weapons Bay Design
The Su-57 Felon’s weapons bay design plays a crucial role in reducing the aircraft’s radar signature. The use of radar-absorbent materials and specific bay geometry, as critiqued in the September 12, 2025, analysis, contribute to this reduction. This design approach is integral to the Su-57 Felon’s stealth capabilities, making it a formidable adversary in aerial combat.
However, there are operational trade-offs to consider. The size of the weapons bays, for example, is smaller compared to U.S. counterparts, which can limit payload capacity. Despite this, ground tests on October 18, 2025, demonstrated the effectiveness of the bay doors in maintaining stealth during loading operations.
Armament Integration and Testing
The Su-57 Felon’s weapons bays have been tested with a variety of weapon types, including the K/RVV-BD beyond-visual-range missile for internal carriage. Trials conducted as of November 5, 2024, have demonstrated the side bay’s functionality in simulated combat scenarios, further validating the aircraft’s combat readiness.
Looking ahead, upgrades planned post-2025 focus on enhancing sensor fusion for bay-launched munitions. These upgrades aim to further improve the Su-57 Felon’s operational effectiveness and versatility in combat scenarios.
Strategic Role in Russian Air Power
The Su-57 Felon’s deployment in exercises has demonstrated the strategic role it plays in Russian air power. The aircraft’s weapons bay access contributes to improved survivability in contested airspace, making it a valuable asset in modern warfare.
Internationally, the revealed bay designs from 2024 and 2025 reports have sparked interest in the Su-57 Felon’s export potential. Future enhancements, based on September 12, 2025, evaluations of the stealth fighter’s overall combat readiness, are expected to further bolster the Su-57 Felon’s standing in the global military aviation landscape.