The F-22 and Su-57 are the closest peer comparison in fifth-generation air superiority: one American, one Russian, both designed to dominate the air-to-air environment with low-observable characteristics, AESA radar, and supercruise. Their development timelines diverged sharply, making a direct comparison more complicated than headlines suggest.
Full guides: F-22 Raptor · Su-57
| F-22 Raptor | Su-57 | |
|---|---|---|
| First flight | 1997 | 2010 |
| Origin | United States | Russia |
| Length | 18.92 m | 20.1 m |
| Wingspan | 13.56 m | 14.1 m |
| Max speed | 2410 km/h | 2450 km/h |
The F-22 Raptor entered USAF service in 2005 and was designed from the outset around all-aspect low observability. Its shaping, inlet design, and internal weapons carriage give it a frontal radar cross-section estimated by open sources at around 0.0001 m² — roughly the signature of a steel marble. The Su-57 Felon is Russia's fifth-generation answer, which first flew in 2010 and reached limited operational status in 2020. Its design prioritises a somewhat different balance: the Su-57 has larger internal weapon bays allowing longer missiles (including the Kh-59MK2 cruise missile), and its radar suite includes a main AFAR (active phased array) nose radar plus additional side-looking arrays and an L-band array in the wing leading edges — the latter primarily for detecting stealth aircraft at limited range. Western analysts consistently rate the Su-57's stealth lower than the F-22's, particularly from side and rear aspects, based on its engine nacelle spacing and surface treatments visible in photos. The F-22's production was capped at 187 aircraft; Russia has produced approximately 20 Su-57s as of 2025, with production slowly increasing. The Su-57 also incorporates a supercruise capability, reportedly around Mach 1.6, versus the F-22's Mach 1.8.
Credible open-source figures: F-22 thrust-to-weight approximately 1.08:1 at combat weight, Su-57 approximately 1.02–1.11:1 depending on fuel and weapon load. Both aircraft have thrust-vectoring capability (the Su-57 uses two-dimensional TVC; the F-22 also uses two-dimensional TVC). Top speed: F-22 Mach 2.25, Su-57 reportedly Mach 2.0. Internal missile load: F-22 carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9Xs; Su-57 carries the R-77-1 (AA-12 Adder) and the longer-range K-77M in its main bay. The Su-57's L-band radar arrays are specifically designed to detect low-observable aircraft at shorter ranges; whether they are effective against F-22 in practice is classified. BVR outcome would hinge on which aircraft detects the other first — and that depends on classified sensor performance, electronic warfare posture, and supporting assets (AWACS, satellites). In a close-in fight both aircraft have comparable agility on paper. Real combat outcomes depend on pilot training quality, tactical doctrine, datalink support, and the specific versions of missiles carried. The Su-57 has flown combat sorties over Ukraine but exclusively in a standoff role, not in within-visual-range engagements. No responsible analyst assigns a confident winner.
The Su-57 is larger. Wingspan: Su-57 14.1 m vs F-22 13.6 m. Length: Su-57 20.1 m vs F-22 18.9 m. Max takeoff weight: Su-57 approx. 35,000 kg vs F-22 approx. 38,000 kg (the F-22 is heavier despite being shorter, reflecting denser US systems). Top speed: F-22 Mach 2.25 vs Su-57 reportedly Mach 2.0. Supercruise: F-22 approximately Mach 1.8 vs Su-57 approximately Mach 1.6. Combat radius: F-22 approximately 850 km, Su-57 approximately 1,500 km — the Su-57 has a significantly larger internal fuel capacity.
The F-22 is flown only by the United States Air Force. Russia is the only operator of the Su-57; as of 2025 approximately 20 aircraft have been delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), with serial production ongoing at KnAAPO in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. India was a development partner (PAK FA) but withdrew in 2018 citing cost and performance concerns. Algeria and the UAE have reportedly shown interest but no export contract has been signed.
The F-22 prototype (YF-22) first flew September 1990; the production F-22A entered service December 2005. The Su-57 prototype (T-50) first flew January 2010; series production deliveries began 2020. The 15-year gap matters. The F-22's avionics architecture is older and has been costly to modernise, while the Su-57 benefits from more recent computing standards and was designed with a modular mission computer. However, the F-22 has accumulated 20 years of operational refinement, software updates, and pilot familiarity. The Su-57's small fleet size means Russia has limited operational experience and fewer training opportunities — a structural disadvantage that specs alone do not capture.
Neither aircraft is commonly accessible to the public, but the F-22 has a clear edge in spottability for Western observers. The F-22 appears at US airshows and has made limited international appearances (RIAT Fairford, UK). Its home bases — Langley/Eustis (Virginia), Elmendorf-Richardson (Alaska), Hickam (Hawaii), Tyndall (Florida) — allow perimeter spotting. The Su-57 is based primarily at Akhtubinsk (Gromov Flight Research Institute) for testing and Kubinka air base near Moscow for operational units. Russian military bases are generally not accessible for civilian spotting. The Su-57 has appeared at the MAKS airshow at Zhukovsky and at Dubai Airshow 2021, so dedicated spotters with travel flexibility have seen it. Under current geopolitical conditions, access to Russian bases is not realistic for most Western enthusiasts.