F-22 vs Su-57: Which Fighter Is Stronger For Modern Aerial Warfare? (2024)

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, both fifth-generation fighter jets, have advanced features, including avionics, stealth technology, and supermaneuverability. Following years of studies to introduce this new generation of combat aircraft, manufacturers worldwide, but specifically in the US and Russia, worked to produce several examples of the jet type.

Looking specifically at the F-22 and Su-57, the jets share some similarities but also have differences that set them apart. Both were designed to engage in aerial combat, but their years of development are drastically separate.

When US-based Lockheed Martin introduced the F-22 in 2005, its advancements were undoubtedly ahead, considering the jet was the first fifth-generation aircraft. Other variants based on the aircraft were also developed, such as the F-35A, which was first developed in 2006 but did not enter service with the US Air Force (USAF) until a decade later.

On the contrary, the Su-57, produced by the JSC Sukhoi Company in Russia, first took flight in 2010, making it a much newer jet. However, the jet has reportedly failed to gain much momentum from operators – nearly the opposite of the F-22.

The origins of the F-22 & Su-57

According to the National Interest, the F-22 was developed as an air dominance and air superiority fighter but was also designed to perform other roles such as ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence capabilities. The USAF originally intended to purchase a total of 750 F-22s when the jet was introduced in 2005. However, the order was reduced to 187 aircraft due to the cost.

The lack of real air-to-air missiles during the Global War on Terror and a ban on exports was also a contributing factor in the Air Force’s decision. Additionally, they expected that a more advanced fighter jet would be introduced, which, of course, ended up being the F-35 Lightning II. As a result, the last F-22 was delivered in 2012.

Photo: USAF

Despite the F-22 program being cut short, the Su-57 program faced hurdles from the beginning. Its origins began in 1969, according to the Smithsonian Magazine. At the time, the Soviet Air Force wanted to develop a fighter jet to outperform the F-15. The first attempts failed before developers decided to start from scratch. It was not until 1985 that operational regiments were reached.

Five years later, the airframe became the Su-27. In 1999, the Su-57 program was initiated as a successor to the Su-27, but it was first designated as the T-50. The Su-57 name came when stealth technology was introduced.

Photo:Dmitry Zherdin | Wikimedia Commons

After taking its first flight in 2010, it would be another nine years before production began. In December 2020, the first Su-57 entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Performance comparisons

Structurally, the fighter jet is slightly larger and heavier than the F-22. While not all fifth-generation fighters have two engines, both the F-22 and Su-57 are twin-engine jets.

• The F-22 is powered by Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 afterburning turbofans, which each produce 26,000 pounds of thrust dry and 35,000 pounds of thrust with reheat.
• The Su-57 has two NPO Saturn/FNPTS MMPP Salyut AL-41F1 turbofans, each producing 35,000 pounds of thrust.

With such similar engine power, the F-22 and Su-57 speed capability is nearly identical. The F-22 can reach a top speed of 1,599 miles per hour, while the Su-57 can technically travel faster at 1,616 miles per hour. Regarding range, the Su-57 is also ahead of the F-22, as it can fly up to 3,107 miles. The F-22 has a range capability of only 2,000 miles. In terms of maximum altitude, the F-22 wins, with a ceiling of 65,617 feet, while the Su-57 has a ceiling of 50,000 feet.

Both jets carry a variety of weapons as aerial combat aircraft. However, due to the current state of aerial warfare, neither has engaged in significant air-to-air combat to demonstrate its full potential. The F-22 and Su-57 are both equipped with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles internally and externally. It has been reported that the F-22 is considered to have more maneuverability with equally skilled pilots.

The F-22: Best fifth-generation fighter?

When comparing the two, it is widely known that the F-22 is the more successful and better-performing fighter jet. Only 32 Su-57s have been built, while nearly 200 F-22 examples have been produced. According to the National Interest, the Su-57 issues, such as radar cross-section problems and reliance on older engines, have hampered the jet's performance.

Photo: UAC

Alex Hollings from Sandboxx News described the Su-57s setback in relation to its engines and how sanctions on Russia affected acquiring the right parts for the jet.

“Stealthy woes aren’t the Su-57s only problem – delays in Russia’s 5th generation engine program have left its Felon fleet operating the same AL-41F1 engines found in Russia’s non-stealth but highly capable 4th generation Su-35S. A Rand Corporation analysis of the aircraft’s advanced 360-degree sensor suite posits that the system itself remains incomplete as well, likely hindered by international sanctions placed on Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine.”

Photo: USAF

Although the F-22 may be regarded as the ‘stronger’ fighter jet for modern aerial warfare, the Su-57 has an accomplishment worth noting. The aircraft appeared in Top Gun: Maverick, which was the top-grossing film of 2022, according to the National Interest.