Russia’s Su-57 and the US-made F-35 are often compared as top contenders among fifth-generation aircraft, but which one truly takes the cake?

Speed and Maneuverability

The Su-57 outperforms the F-35 in both speed and maneuverability. The Su-57 can reach a top speed of 2,600 km/h, while the F-35 maxes out at 1,900 km/h. This gives the Su-57 a clear advantage in high-speed combat scenarios.

Weapons

The Su-57 carries a much more diverse and advanced weapon loadout, including various short, medium, and long-range air-to-air missiles and guided aerial bombs. In contrast, the F-35 is limited to a smaller selection of air-to-air missiles and bombs.

Long-Range Strike Capability

The Su-57’s R-37M missile, a cutting-edge Russian weapon, allows it to engage air targets at twice the range of the F-35. This missile has already seen effective use in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Stealth and Performance

The Su-57 integrates stealth features without compromising speed or maneuverability, allowing it to excel in both combat and evasive maneuvers. Meanwhile, the F-35 is more focused on stealth for ground attack roles, but its performance in air combat is limited.

Versatility

The F-35 was primarily designed for ground strike missions, with less emphasis on air combat. On the other hand, the Su-57 is a multi-role fighter, able to handle a wide range of operations from air superiority to strike missions, making it more versatile overall.

Supercruise

Both the Su-57 and F-35 can fly supersonic in supercruise mode (without afterburners). However, the F-35’s supercruise is limited due to airframe issues, restricting how long it can maintain these speeds without causing damage.

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