Click to see full-size image. (Rostec)
Russia’s Su-57E fighter jet completed a long-range flight to Egypt using internal fuel tanks, demonstrating the aircraft’s range without relying on conventional external fuel tanks, state corporation Rostec said on September 17.
The fifth-generation fighter flew to the El Alamein International Airshow with fuel tanks carried inside its internal weapons compartment rather than mounted on external wing pylons, according to Rostec.
“The Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter demonstrated exceptional flight range with internal fuel tanks. The Su-57E flew to the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt using internal fuel tanks located inside the cargo bay. This made it possible to do without the traditional external fuel tanks mounted on the aircraft’s wing pylons,” Rostec said in a statement posted on Telegram.
The flight included a single stopover, after which the aircraft retained enough fuel for another 1,000 kilometers, the state corporation said, adding that the remaining fuel was sufficient for a demonstration flight the following day, which it described as comparable in fuel consumption to a full-scale combat mission.
Rostec said carrying fuel internally allows the aircraft to maintain its aerodynamic characteristics while preserving its range, linking the configuration to the design requirements of a fifth-generation fighter.
“This solution preserves the aircraft’s aerodynamics and ensures a significant reserve of range. The flight demonstrated that, among operational-tactical aircraft, the Su-57E is unmatched in terms of combat radius and endurance,” the company said.
The corporation also highlighted the Su-57E’s stealth characteristics, maneuverability and ability to carry a broad range of weapons.
“Deliveries are already underway to foreign partners who fully understand the advantages of this aircraft. The Su-57 has repeatedly proven its capabilities in real combat conditions. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) regularly delivers these aircraft to the Russian Armed Forces,” Rostec said.
The new capability could make the Su-57E the longest-range fifth-generation fighter jet, giving it an exceptional endurance advantage over its peers.
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