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Key Points and Summary: Russia’s Su-57 Felon stands out for its stealth design and range, yet it still lags behind America’s F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II in key areas like low observability, proven agility, and overall combat record.

-The Felon can partner with a “loyal wingman” drone and even launch hypersonic missiles, but the F-35 can likewise operate tethered drones, and both the F-22 and F-35 each boast extensive battle-tested experience.

-With more advanced engines and better maneuverability, the American jets likely hold the advantage in any direct engagement. Ultimately, the Su-57’s limited production and its unproven performance in real dogfights remain questionable.

Su-57, F-22, and F-35: How Do They Compare?

Russia is excited about its Su-57 Felon fighter, and rightfully so. 

The airplane has redeeming stealth characteristics. It has good range, altitude, and speed. The Su-57 also has decent avionics and some modern maneuverability traits. 

So, it makes one wonder how the Russian fifth-generation warbird stacks up to other stealth fighters, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. 

These are airplanes that would challenge the Su-57 in a dogfight scenario if some type of conflict with Russia should arise. Let’s look at how the three fighters compare.

The F-22 was introduced in 2005, and it is hard to believe it has been flying for 20 years. The Su-57 first took to the skies in 2010, and the F-35A began development in 2006. It entered service full-time with the U.S. Air Force in 2016.

What’s Great About the F-22 and F-35?

The F-22 is a multi-role marvel. It can intercept enemy fighters, blast targets on the ground, conduct electronic warfare activity, and collect intelligence. 

The Air Force ordered 187 Raptors. The last one was acquired in 2012. The F-35 has similar capabilities, but it has a more advanced cockpit that serves as a flying computer for even better intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance collection. 

Su-57 Felon Is a Multi-role Fighter

The Russian Felon was developed from the Su-27, but when the airplane added a stealth feature, it was re-designated the Su-57. 

The Su-57 entered the Russian Air Force in 2020. It can attack air, ground, and sea targets.

Su-57 stealth fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

How Do Their Engines Compare?

The Su-57 is heavier and larger than the F-22. The Su-57 has “two NPO Saturn/FNPTS MMPP Salyut AL-41F1 turbofans, each producing 35,000 pounds of thrust,” according to SimpleFlying.com. 

The F-22 depends on Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners. The F-35 has the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine.

Comparing Speed, Range, and Ceiling 

The F-22 and Su-57 can push out speeds at around 1,600 miles per hour or MACH 2. The F-35’s top speed is 1,200 miles per hour or MACH 1.6.

The Su-57 has a range of 3,107 miles, while the F-22 can run for only 2,000 miles. The range of the F-35A is 1,379 miles. 

The F-22 has a ceiling of 65,617 feet. The Su-57’s ceiling is 50,000 feet, and the F-35A’s ceiling is 50,000 feet.

Su-57

Su-57. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The F-35 and F-22 are stealthier than the Su-57. Both are more maneuverable than the Felon. Only 32 Su-57s have been built, while the F-22 and F-35A have hundreds more in service. 

The Su-57 is not combat-proven as the airplane has limited experience during the war in Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, the F-35 and F-22 played a prominent role in the Global War on Terror. 

However, much of that duty came in the form of ground strikes.

Both the F-35 and F-22 have more advanced and stronger engines than the Su-57 as that airframe is dependent on the Salyut engine that is in the older fourth-generation Su-35S.

Can They Fly with Loyal Wingmen?

The F-35 can control a tethered drone known as the Loyal Wingman. In October 2024, the F-35B flew with the Valkyrie unmanned aerial system. 

A Loyal Wingman can fly ahead of the F-35 and collect targeting information, conduct electronic warfare, and perform intelligence-gathering roles. 

The F-22 does not have that capability, but the Su-57 does and it has flown tethered to the S-70 Okhotnik B in the past. 

The Su-57 can also launch the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. The F-35 and F-22 are working towards carrying the Mako hypersonic weapon full-time.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from 94th Fighter Squadron Langley Air Force Base, Va., takes off to perform an aerial demonstration for an estimated 180,000 spectators at the Australian International Airshow, March 2, 2013 at Avalon Airport in Geelong, Australia. The F-22 demo team are currently deployed to the 18th Fighter Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan to support pacific theater operations. This is the first official demonstration of the F-22 Raptors capabilities at an airshow outside the United States. The Australian International Airshow 2013 (AIA13), is held biennially, and is one of the largest international trade shows in the Pacific. The Airshow is expected to draw 350,000 visitors and has featured 500 defense exhibitors from 35 countries and is designed to bolster business opportunities in the international aviation sector. U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) participation in AIA13 directly supports theater engagement goals and objectives and further enhances relationships with other Pacific nations. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from 94th Fighter Squadron Langley Air Force Base, Va., takes off to perform an aerial demonstration for an estimated 180,000 spectators at the Australian International Airshow, March 2, 2013 at Avalon Airport in Geelong, Australia. The F-22 demo team are currently deployed to the 18th Fighter Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan to support pacific theater operations. This is the first official demonstration of the F-22 Raptors capabilities at an airshow outside the United States. The Australian International Airshow 2013 (AIA13), is held biennially, and is one of the largest international trade shows in the Pacific. The Airshow is expected to draw 350,000 visitors and has featured 500 defense exhibitors from 35 countries and is designed to bolster business opportunities in the international aviation sector. U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) participation in AIA13 directly supports theater engagement goals and objectives and further enhances relationships with other Pacific nations. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)

The F-22 and F-35 have better stealth characteristics. The Su-57 does have a longer range than the F-22 and F-35. The speed of all three airplanes is similar. The Su-57 is believed to be less maneuverable than the F-22 and F-35.  

On paper, the Su-57 compares well to the F-35 and F-22. It comes down to the skill of the pilots. American aviators are better trained than the Russians. 

They go to advanced aerial combat schools and interact with a simulated force to train in a realistic fashion. The F-35 and F-22 have more collective combat experience. 

The Su-57 does have the ability to fly with Loyal Wingman drones and launch hypersonic missiles. Meanwhile, the F-35 and F-22 can also deploy hypersonics and the F-35 can execute the Loyal Wingman mission too.

The jury is still out on the Su-57. It is slowly gaining combat experience, but no reported dogfighting yet. Russia is worried that the Air Force could lose a Su-57. This would be highly embarrassing and could allow the Ukrainians to examine the airplane, looking for ways to emulate it. This intelligence would assuredly be handed over to the Americans if a Su-57 was shot down.

F-35. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.

F-35. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.

My money is on the F-22 and F-35. They are more proven in combat. The F-35 is sold all over the world. The F-22 may be the stealthiest fighter in the world and American pilots are better. The Su-57 has an enviable ceiling but weaker engines that would make it less maneuverable than the F-22 and F-35.

 It would be interesting to see how all the airplanes would stack up in a dogfight, but until then, we will have to compare them on paper.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood 

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.