What do you think?
Rate this book
Su-57 Felon
In December 2020, the first Sukhoi Su-57, codenamed Felon by NATO, entered service with the Aerospace Forces, making it Russia’s most recent combat aircraft. It is a multirole aircraft combining the functions of both a fighter and strike aircraft, with design features that include stealth, supersonic cruising speed and maneuverability, the latest sensors and weaponry, and network-centric warfare capability. Fully illustrated with over 170 full-color photographs, this book describes the trials of the T-50 prototypes and the implementation of the Su-57 into series production, as well as looking at the design, characteristics and combat capabilities of this fifth-generation fighter.
96 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2022
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 24, 2024
In this very short book author manages to put a lot of details about the Russia's 5th generation fighter.
We are given details on the 5th generation fighter development starting from MIG 1.44 project (that never developed from the prototype phase), Su47 Berkut (that accumulated a lot more flight hours and was on a verge of becoming accepted as a new fighter but Russia's DOD then dropped the order due to the price) and then PAK FA/LFI/MFI projects that gave birth to Sukhoi T-50 that eventually became Su-57. Ending touches on S70 heavy drone (that already saw operational use) and MIG bureau's continuous development of their LFI concept (which might be endangered by Sukhois light fighter Su-75 development - it is to be seen how this rivalry progresses).
As expected - taking into account financial standing of post-1990's Russia - program suffered a lot of delays in the prototype phase, followed by several international cooperations falling through (India then Turkey). Finally, with renewed DOD support, development moved on and SU-57 started entering serial production with more and more squadrons being fitted out with the new plane.
After historical overview of plane development we are also given details on the electronics, engine, pilot equipment and weaponry, all of which make this quite a formidable fighter plane.
Author does note how program deadlines were constantly pushed out (I like how he says this was always bureaucratic speak of Russian DOD - I mean, of course everything is to be shared with journalists, like Lockheed Martin's statement in 2006 for F-35 (first production-type flight) statement that oh, yes full production will start in 2021 :D:D:D:D khmm..... yeah :D:D:D:D ) but gives very detailed (considering book length) overview of technology used and weaponry.
I had to laugh at one of the reviews of the book in which refrigerators are mentioned as source of chips and micro-electronics for the plane :D I think that those are quite deadly and universal use refrigerators [and washing machines - this was missing I believe, but is part of main stream view of things :)] indeed since they keep all the military electronic production, especially missiles, drones and airplanes in production and combat worthy for years :) I mean you have to laugh at this childish comments, do people really believe this nonsense? Really?
It will be some time until SU-57 starts to replace existing planes in bigger numbers but to disregard it as no threat is idiotic in light of current times. This plane is the only 5th generation fighter that executes combat missions inside pretty intensive AAD, launches cruise missiles and executes precision strikes against installations defended by military force, deep behind the lines and is also seen in actions with S70 type drone. So, not just leveling slums in Gaza (including humanistic double tap with bomb duds weighting 100's of kg's to warn people in buildings that next one is for real) nor attacking areas that are not covered by any AAD, nor executing SF like single plane assault on an entire country that disabled it :D. No, this plane actually is active in expected high intensity battle field where one needs to take into account that all of this takes place while Russian's do not have full air cover of the area as would be expected from western air force.
Not bad for a refrigerator derived plane eh :) Is everything great and fancy, definitely not but again to disregard it, is to act in an idiotic way.
Short book, but with lots of details about this fighter plane.
We are given details on the 5th generation fighter development starting from MIG 1.44 project (that never developed from the prototype phase), Su47 Berkut (that accumulated a lot more flight hours and was on a verge of becoming accepted as a new fighter but Russia's DOD then dropped the order due to the price) and then PAK FA/LFI/MFI projects that gave birth to Sukhoi T-50 that eventually became Su-57. Ending touches on S70 heavy drone (that already saw operational use) and MIG bureau's continuous development of their LFI concept (which might be endangered by Sukhois light fighter Su-75 development - it is to be seen how this rivalry progresses).
As expected - taking into account financial standing of post-1990's Russia - program suffered a lot of delays in the prototype phase, followed by several international cooperations falling through (India then Turkey). Finally, with renewed DOD support, development moved on and SU-57 started entering serial production with more and more squadrons being fitted out with the new plane.
After historical overview of plane development we are also given details on the electronics, engine, pilot equipment and weaponry, all of which make this quite a formidable fighter plane.
Author does note how program deadlines were constantly pushed out (I like how he says this was always bureaucratic speak of Russian DOD - I mean, of course everything is to be shared with journalists, like Lockheed Martin's statement in 2006 for F-35 (first production-type flight) statement that oh, yes full production will start in 2021 :D:D:D:D khmm..... yeah :D:D:D:D ) but gives very detailed (considering book length) overview of technology used and weaponry.
I had to laugh at one of the reviews of the book in which refrigerators are mentioned as source of chips and micro-electronics for the plane :D I think that those are quite deadly and universal use refrigerators [and washing machines - this was missing I believe, but is part of main stream view of things :)] indeed since they keep all the military electronic production, especially missiles, drones and airplanes in production and combat worthy for years :) I mean you have to laugh at this childish comments, do people really believe this nonsense? Really?
It will be some time until SU-57 starts to replace existing planes in bigger numbers but to disregard it as no threat is idiotic in light of current times. This plane is the only 5th generation fighter that executes combat missions inside pretty intensive AAD, launches cruise missiles and executes precision strikes against installations defended by military force, deep behind the lines and is also seen in actions with S70 type drone. So, not just leveling slums in Gaza (including humanistic double tap with bomb duds weighting 100's of kg's to warn people in buildings that next one is for real) nor attacking areas that are not covered by any AAD, nor executing SF like single plane assault on an entire country that disabled it :D. No, this plane actually is active in expected high intensity battle field where one needs to take into account that all of this takes place while Russian's do not have full air cover of the area as would be expected from western air force.
Not bad for a refrigerator derived plane eh :) Is everything great and fancy, definitely not but again to disregard it, is to act in an idiotic way.
Short book, but with lots of details about this fighter plane.
June 28, 2023
In this book, Piotr Butowski , a writer on Cold War and modern Soviet and Russian Aviation, tries to give us the story of Russia's latest Fighter Aircraft, introduced in 2020 as their Fifth Generation platform. Using open source information, conjecture, and perhaps some personal contacts, Butowski pieces together the story- although he freely admits that truth is hard to gauge in Putin's Russia. The Su- 57 story is one of several distinct prototypes coming together into one program as the 2010s progressed- and some strange play acting when some of the prototypes were sent to Syria- without really having any combat systems integrated. As with all the Key Books in this series the book is filled with technical specs and colour photos of the airframes from all angles, as well as photos of some key players in this aircraft's history. It's a glossy and well presented story, with a properly skeptical eye for possible propaganda inconsistencies.
With F-22s and F-35s seemingly fairly successfully being integrated into modern air forces, it is clear the Russian Federation wants to have a new toy too, and the Su-57 fits that narrative. But the lack of Su-57 stories from the Ukrainian War of Independence, and the end of Indian participation in the project tell another story- unfulfilled promises and insurmountable technical barriers and boycotts. The number of top level chips required to run a single fifth generation fighter aircraft might be a challenge for a nation that tries to use refrigerator-running chips to augment military weapon systems on the ground in Ukraine. I think the prototypes worked- but I am not too sure that a fleet of these birds are all that awesome right now. So maybe not a plane to lose sleep over- but an interesting story about modern technological development in non-western markets.
There are no adult themes, save commercial ones, and no graphic injury description passages, so this is a good book for the Junior Reader over 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this is a very interesting book. The Gamer gets all the basic info- enough to make this a F-35 crusher- or add a grain of salt and make it a less agile weapon system- if one is a player of the "latest and greatest" , or near future scenarios- you will want to read this. For the Modeler- this photo collection is just so useful- especially as the main "camo" pattern for the bird is one of those newfangled pixilated types. For the Military Enthusiast-this is one of the few books in the west on this topic- although one can expect more, if this type does manage to serve Russia into the 2030s. It is a nice package on this type - one that may become a player on the world stage.
With F-22s and F-35s seemingly fairly successfully being integrated into modern air forces, it is clear the Russian Federation wants to have a new toy too, and the Su-57 fits that narrative. But the lack of Su-57 stories from the Ukrainian War of Independence, and the end of Indian participation in the project tell another story- unfulfilled promises and insurmountable technical barriers and boycotts. The number of top level chips required to run a single fifth generation fighter aircraft might be a challenge for a nation that tries to use refrigerator-running chips to augment military weapon systems on the ground in Ukraine. I think the prototypes worked- but I am not too sure that a fleet of these birds are all that awesome right now. So maybe not a plane to lose sleep over- but an interesting story about modern technological development in non-western markets.
There are no adult themes, save commercial ones, and no graphic injury description passages, so this is a good book for the Junior Reader over 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, this is a very interesting book. The Gamer gets all the basic info- enough to make this a F-35 crusher- or add a grain of salt and make it a less agile weapon system- if one is a player of the "latest and greatest" , or near future scenarios- you will want to read this. For the Modeler- this photo collection is just so useful- especially as the main "camo" pattern for the bird is one of those newfangled pixilated types. For the Military Enthusiast-this is one of the few books in the west on this topic- although one can expect more, if this type does manage to serve Russia into the 2030s. It is a nice package on this type - one that may become a player on the world stage.
December 7, 2022
A short, but rather thorough book about the Su-57 Felon in Russian Air Force service. The author graciously included many photographs of not only the Su-57, but the very specific prototype models in question in the text as the author meticulously tracks the development and production of each Su-57 prototype models prior to serial production.
The book does read a bit like a repository of all the media publications regarding the Su-57, which does help keep track on which date certain agreements or contracts were brought up and signed. Due to this, the author does not dive too deep into his own personal analysis in the machine, but possibly for good reason as many of the Su-57's characteristics are either still unknown or heavily classified.
The book does read a bit like a repository of all the media publications regarding the Su-57, which does help keep track on which date certain agreements or contracts were brought up and signed. Due to this, the author does not dive too deep into his own personal analysis in the machine, but possibly for good reason as many of the Su-57's characteristics are either still unknown or heavily classified.
May 10, 2024
Pretty cool I liked all of the details, but wished the book stayed away from unexplained jargon and boiled it down a little because a lot of the time it was unnecessary tbh. That being said, the author went into a lot of amazing detail about weapons systems, propulsion, production challenges, R&D set backs, and other context that was really helpful for understanding the project. I do not condone or agree with the use, or development of fighter jets, they r neat in a vacuum though lmao.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews