A Russian Aerospace CEO said at the Army 2022 international military-technical forum that naval variant Su-57 Felon was to be developed. Yury Slyusar, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, spoke about the development of the Felon for naval operations on carriers in particular.
Russia's First Stealth Fighter
Designated as Felon by the West, that entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2020, five years late, and joins the US F-35, F-22, China's J-20, and FC-31 low observable aircraft, reported Military Watch Magazine.
The Russian Air Force will eventually need a fleet of 76 fighters when they are delivered in 2027. Only half of a squadron is currently in service. Slyusar mentions that the Russian Maritime Doctrine, which mandates the construction of advanced carriers, is the basis for developing a carrier version, and drones will be necessary as a complement.
The Su-57 program's foundational work makes it possible to complete the Russian Navy's naval aviation tasks as quickly as possible. The potential of a carrier-based Su-57 was first discussed in 2018, with United Aircraft Corporation declaring it in March of that year. It was ready for development, but chief designer Sergey Korotkov stressed that it would have to be created in conjunction with the progress of its aircraft carrier, noted EurAsian Times.
The UAC Russian aerospace CEO continued by saying that if they didn't work on the ship components and develop the aerial features, things wouldn't line up with a naval version Su-57 Felon. It must be done jointly because there will be too many issues with takeoff, landing, operation, electromagnetic compatibility, and other factors.
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If a new carrier is constructed, it should have an EMALS launch system rather than a ski-jump like the Admiral Kuznetsov, the country's current carrier, per Naval News.
Modern features like EMALS must be built into new carriers; ski-jump restrictions on ammunition and fuel are not a good idea.
The Su-57 is effectively excluded because of two assault carriers currently assembled in Crimea for the Russian Navy. These carriers will not be able to carry any aircraft without vertical landing capabilities.
Whether Admiral Kuznetsov or its successor will ever see a maritime variant of the 5th generation Felon stealth fighter cannot be avoided.
No New Aircraft Carriers for Russia
Assault carriers have been considered a possible successor to Admiral Kuznetsov since the Russian Defense Ministry has preferred not to invest in a replacement.
Lack of funding was one of the reasons why advanced carrier-based fighter designs like the Su-27KUB were ready for construction, but production was put on hold. Carrier aircraft are too expensive for Russia's meager defense budget.
Advanced carrier-based fighter designs, most notably the Su-27KUB, have been developed in the past but failed to enter serial production due to a lack of funding, with carrier aviation consistently being a low priority for the country's limited defense budget.
A maritime Felon variant developed by UAC might succeed as an export version, especially for the Indian Navy. The IN is the only significant operator besides NATO to have used carrier-based fighters but has none yet homegrown.
Slyusar thinks a naval variant Su-57 Felon will only come about if Russia builds another modern carrier with EMALS to take advantage of the 5th gen Russian stealth fighter's good qualities.
