Since mass production of the Sukhoi Su-57 began last year, developers have announced a number of add-ons for the fifth-generation fighter, ranging from new hypersonic missiles to plans to allow it to control swarms of drones.
Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets are going to receive special protective cloaks to shield them from bad weather and enemy radar detection while they are on their airfields, with delivery of the cloaks set to begin next year, Izvestia has reported, citing sources in the military and the military industry.
According to the newspaper, the cloaks will be made of radar signal-reflecting polymers, with each plane will receive over a dozen separate, specially-fitted covers for its fuselage, wings, cockpit, stabilisers, air intakes, wheels and other components.
In addition to cloaking the plane, the coverings will protect the planes’ external electronics, including antennae, sensors, radar and optical and electronic systems from the elements.
Sukhoi is currently working on the delivery of 76 Su-57s for the Ministry of Defence, with state testing on the planes delivered earlier set to be completed before the end of the year.