Russia's Su‑57 jets debut in Ukraine with secretive Ch‑69 missiles
Russians have recently begun deploying their latest Su-57 fighters to launch Ch-69 missiles at Ukrainian targets. The Defense Express portal has delved into these jets, touted by Putin himself as "the best planes," to ascertain the number Russia possesses.
7:47 AM EDT, May 2, 2024
The claim of having "the best planes in the world" garnered attention, primarily because British intelligence reports indicated a hesitation by Russia to use their newest T-14 Armata tanks and Su-57 planes in Ukraine. This reluctance was attributed to concerns over potentially tarnishing the reputation of this prized military hardware.
Modern fighters in Russia's arsenal
The Su-57s are not only seeing combat but are also deploying the highly secretive Ch-69 missile, which had been kept under wraps for years. Notably, there were indications of Su-57s over Ukraine as far back as 2022; however, at that time, the only evidence of their presence was satellite imagery of five units at a Russian experimental facility.
Assessing the exact count of "the best planes in the world" within the Russian fleet is challenging. Defense Express suspects there are likely only ten such aircraft, a figure based more on inference than solid data, given the absence of concrete information or evidence regarding Russia's Su-57 fleet size.
It's worth noting that the 5th generation Su-75 jets discussed were designed in 2021. Available data reveals that these jets can achieve a top speed of 1.8 Ma, or approximately 1367 mph, with an operational range of around 1740 miles.
Ch-69 missiles: Not exclusive to Su-57s
The Su-57 can carry 8.2 tons of weaponry, including the Ch-69 missiles, which only entered the limelight in 2023. Despite earlier hints at a new design in 2022, Moscow has been tight-lipped about the Ch-69's development. It's speculated to be a counterpart to the American AGM-158 JASSM missiles.
The Ch-69 measures over 13 feet in length and has an 8.2-foot wingspan. It weighs 1698 pounds, with the warhead contributing up to 661 pounds. It is powered by a dual-flow turbojet engine, the NPO Saturn TRDD-50 MT.
Though initially considered exclusive to Su-57 fighters, aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi points out that Su-35s can also carry the Ch-69. Furthermore, he notes that the Ch-69 can travel up to 249 miles, surpassing its predecessor, the Ch-59 missile, which has a range of 186 miles.
