A few days ago, the social media channels of “Made in Russia” reported that the Russian state aircraft construction company OAK (part of the technology conglomerate ROSTEC) had already delivered the first series-produced 5th generation Su-57 fighter aircraft (NATO call sign “Felon”) to a regiment of the Russian Air Force (VKS) in the Southern Military District at the end of November.
Until now, the test program has mainly been under the aegis of the manufacturer OAK and under the long-standing leadership of Sukhoi chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan, whom the author met in Dubai in 2017. According to the usual subsequent routine for new aircraft types in the tactical segment, this future initial location is likely to be Akhtubinsk. The so-called 929th State Flight Test Center (Gosudarstvennyy Tsentr Letnykh Ispytaniy after V. P. Chkalov) is where the Air Force’s troop (introduction) tests usually take place. The TASS news agency also reported on this last month – including the assertion that this first test phase is already being conducted in connection with hypersonic weapons that have not been defined in more detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8tRHYi-jr4 Broad mix of weapons – integration status unclear
As Militär Aktuell reported last year – regarding “Putin’s wonder weapons” – only the Kinzhal (Russian: Dagger) hypersonic stand-off weapon is currently known for tactical aircraft, but as a derivative of the Iskander ground-to-ground weapon, it is only carried under the massive and specially converted MiG-31K. It is currently not clear where this or something comparable is to be placed in or instead of the two central weapon bays of the Su-57. In addition, unlike the Su-57, the MiG-31K does not have to take external stealth into account, it has – and even more so with Kinzhal – a fairly generous radar cross-section area.
So that half-sentence is the breaking news, so to speak, because up to now up to four active radar-guided K-77M medium-range missiles (also known as RVV-SD) were known for Su-57s and their two centerline weapon bays, for missions beyond visual range. In addition, two K-74M2 (RVV-SD) with short infrared range in side bays in the underwing fairings. In 2018, it was also reported that the K-37M long-range air-to-air missile (RVV-BD) can also be used to attack high-value targets (AWACS, tankers, ELINT aircraft) at a range of up to 200 kilometers. Anti-ship missiles Kh-31AD and Kh-35U as well as up to 1,500 kilogram precision guided bombs with laser, TV and satellite guidance from the KAB and K0 series can be accommodated in the internal bays between the engines. The same applies to the Kh-58UShK long-range anti-radar missile with a maximum range of 245 kilometers. If stealth is not a priority, “Felon” can carry up to 5,000 kilograms of external loads on at least four underwing stations. In spring 2016, the 2nd prototype T-50-2- was spotted during aerodynamic flight tests with six old-fashioned OFAB-250-270 free-fall bombs. According to Boris Obnosov, General Director of the Tactical Missiles Corporation, the company is also working on small-diameter guided bombs weighing 50 or 100 kilograms. We have also read about ODAB-500PMV with a thermobaric warhead. However, which of all these projected weapons have already been integrated into the weapon system remains unknown for the time being. In any case, all of this was to be “processed” in Akhtubinsk. 76 Su-57s by 2028
The first production aircraft for Akhtubinsk is actually already a T-50S-2, after the original T-50S-1 crashed at the end of 2019 due to a fault in the tail control system – the only Su-57 since its maiden flight in 2010. In any case, another four Su-57s are due to arrive there next year in 2021 and on December 7, ROSTEC CEO Sergei Chemezov (see also interview in the new issue of Militär Aktuell) announced that the new and final engine Unit 30 from NPO-Saturn-Ljulka will enter troop test service at the end of 2020 and the first jet with all two such digitally controlled supercruise engines with 107kN dry thrust and 166.77kN in Forsazh, as afterburner is called in Russian. As of 2017, such a new turbine was installed on the left in the 2nd prototype. To date, all prototypes have been powered by the AL-41F-1, a variant of the 117S from the Su-35 with 93 kN or 147 kN. According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a total of 22 Su-57s are to be available by the end of 2024 and, according to a contract concluded in 2019, 76 units are to be provided by the end of 2028. 
Latest relevant reports: Our Italian colleague David Cenciotti has recently published this article on his high-quality website “The Aviationist”. entry with newly emerged speculations according to which new so-called “radar blocker grills” in the air intakes of the Su-57 are intended to minimize or block any radar reflections from the front compressor stages and thus generate an even smaller radar cross-section (from the front).
How large this is and by how many decimal levels better (smaller) than that of the F-22, F-35 or J-20 is nevertheless being discussed in a dozen specialist forums (for example here) there are passionate discussions about this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcTg0PsgtsU
Here for more Sukhoi news.
