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The Russian military officially declared that its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet was equipped with hypersonic weapons, marking a major leap in the capabilities of the country’s Aerospace Forces. According to the First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the integration of hypersonic armaments solidifies years of advancements in defense technology and ushers in a new era of high-speed, long-range strike capabilities.
The Su-57, already a formidable multirole stealth fighter, is now being delivered to operational units alongside next-generation hypersonic missiles. This development follows years of speculation about the adaptation of air-launched hypersonic weapons for the platform. In February 2023, Russia’s TASS agency confirmed the existence of a compact hypersonic missile prototype designed specifically for the Su-57, likely an air-launched variant of the 3M22 Zircon, a scramjet-powered weapon already deployed on Russian naval vessels.
The Zircon missile is a hypersonic cruise weapon with a reported range of 1,000 km and a staggering speed of Mach 9, far outpacing Western counterparts like the U.S. SM-6, which has Mach 3.5 speed and 450 km range. Its kinetic impact alone is enough to neutralize heavily armored warships, making it a critical asset for military operations.
By deploying Zircon-like missiles from the Su-57, a stealth-capable aircraft, Russia gains a first-strike advantage against enemy fleets and high-value targets. Unlike bombers or surface vessels, the Su-57 can penetrate contested airspace undetected before launching near-unstoppable hypersonic strikes.
Beyond hypersonics, the Su-57 has also been armed with a new long-range cruise missile, derived from the strategic Kh-101/Kh-102 used by Russia’s Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers. Modified for the Su-57 with a compact airframe, folding wings, and an upgraded turbofan engine, this missile retains a 3,500 km range, making the Su-57 the longest-range fighter in the world.
This unprecedented strike distance allows the Su-57 to engage targets deep in enemy territory without relying on forward bases or refueling, a critical advantage in potential conflicts with NATO or other adversaries.
While the Su-57 is currently operational in only one regiment of the Air Force, its advanced weapons are already being adapted for other aircraft. The R-77M air-to-air missile, once exclusive to the Su-57, has now been integrated onto the Su-35S, signaling a push for standardized armaments.
Looking ahead, Russia may also equip the MiG-31K/I—already capable of carrying the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile—with the smaller Zircon variant, enabling multiple hypersonic launches per sortie.
The Su-57’s hypersonic and long-range missile capabilities position it as a transformational asset in modern combat. By combining stealth, speed, and unmatched firepower, Russia is setting a new standard for fifth-generation fighters.
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poke the bear and you will be clawed
“this missile retains a 3,500 km range, making the su-57 the longest-range fighter in the world.”
well done. they can target london while flying over moscow, just for laughs.
well, that’s bad news for anyone wanting to eff with russia.
i hope “various” countries note the changing game board (it’s just the grand game to the western string pullers). it’s life and death to the proles. the west is on track for fafo.
i’m entering a russian girl right now…heheheh