A photograph appeared on-line offers for the primary time a glance contained in the Su-57’s foremost weapon bays, which to this point have been solely seen closed.
We could have our first look contained in the aft weapons bay of the Su-57 Felon fifth technology fighter, after a picture was shared by the main Kremlin-aligned Telegram channel ‘Fighter-Bomber’ on Oct. 17, 2025. The picture was later posted throughout many protection accounts.
The open weapon bay seems to point out two weapons stations, which might maintain both two air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons. One other comparable weapon bay lies forward, between the air intakes, and two aspect bays are close to the wing’s root.
Each the principle bays, positioned within the area between the engines, have been clearly seen beforehand in backside views of the jet, however that is presumably the primary time a picture exhibits one in all them open.
The aft weapons bay merges right into a rear array sitting between the 2 nozzles, believed to host a rear-facing radar sensor. The Felon has been claimed to have radar arrays on the wing’s main edges and a side-looking (or ‘cheek’-mounted) array, all of which enhance the X-band N036 Byelka AESA radar within the nostril radome.
A photograph lately posted on the Fighterbomber VK web page displaying a VKS Su-57 with its aft weapons bay doorways open. pic.twitter.com/PmpVznv6iQ
— Man Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) October 17, 2025
Notably, the Su-57 has been captured firing an unidentified short-range air-to-air missile from the starboard aspect bay throughout a steep climb, as seen in a shocking March 2020 Russian Ministry of Defence (RuMoD) promotional video. The newest picture nevertheless presents some key insights into the elusive fighter, which in December 2024 was noticed with one flat 2D thrust vectoring nozzle.
The starboard aspect inside weapon bay, meant for a short-range AAM, was additionally seen within the open place within the November 2024 version of the Zhuhai Air Present. This was because the disassembled fighter was being offloaded from the An-124 cargo plane.
The plane was the fourth prototype, or T-50-4, coded ‘054 blue’ and was accompanied by T-50-7, or ‘057’. Plane 054 additionally later visited India for the primary time for the Aero India 2025 present in February 2025.
On a unique be aware, Aero India 2025 additionally marked the primary time the Su-57 shared the tarmac, side-by-side, with two F-35A Lightning IIs. Each the U.S. Air Power, UAC (United Plane Company) and SDB (Sukhoi Design Bureau) crews watched one another’s plane carry out beautiful aerial shows.
What the picture exhibits
The design exhibits that there’s a weapon station coated by every of the doorways, though it’s unclear if the Su-57 can open a single door to launch a weapon or it has to open each. This interprets right into a ventral retailer payload capability of 4 missiles, and a complete of six contemplating the 2 aspect bays.
First ever clear photograph of Su-57’s mysterious aspect weapon bay‼️
photograph by 万全@wanquanphoto pic.twitter.com/L1nNy8U2Rm
— Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) November 5, 2024
The picture has been taken from inside a automobile, which was following the Su-57 whereas it was being towed by a truck. The picture doesn’t seize the tail or construct quantity to provide an concept of the bottom it was captured at.
In September and November 2024, a minimum of three deliveries of the Su-57 may have taken place, Russian army aviation analyst Man Plopsky had estimated for The Aviationist in December 2024. The Su-57s delivered in 2024 are additionally believed to be nonetheless flying with the older AL-41 engines, with the superior Al-51 (or Izdeliye 30) energy plant deliberate to be put in on the airframes delivered from 2025 onwards.
Varieties of missile payload
The missile being seen fired from the aspect bay within the 2020 RuMoD promotional video talked about earlier might be the R-74 (or RVV-MD) short-range AAM. This bay is basically merely a canoe-like cowl for an outer weapons hardpoint on the wing-root. Clamshell-like doorways rapidly open and shut after the weapon is ejected.
We now have no official data on the form of missiles the ventral inside bays can carry. Nevertheless, in the event that they have been long-range BVR (Past Visible-Vary) AAMs, these must be the R-37M (RVV-BD), or the R-77M. The Battle Zone reported about Russia introducing the R-37M, an optionally nuclear-armed AAM, and the R-77M for use in Ukraine in Could and July.
✈️🇷🇺 Pictures of the interior compartments of the Su-57 fighter jet, taken from the rear part.
The Su-57 fighter jet designed for the brand new short-range air-to-air missile R-74 (RVV-MD). pic.twitter.com/OoOq6TVSlJ
— OSINT Knowledgeable (@OsintExperts) October 17, 2025
Unofficial impartial renditions of the surface-strike missiles on the ventral shops have proven munitions that appear like the Kh-69 (X-69) ALCM (Air-Launched Cruise Missile) and the Grom-E1/E2 glide bomb. The Grom first appeared for use in Ukraine in March 2023, whereas the X-69 was seen in February 2024, primarily based on the remnants of the missiles. The launching platform could have been the Su-34.
The opened rear weapons bay of the Su-57 reveals its inside missile racks.
Judging by the design, when closed, the sting of the appropriate door overlaps the sting of the left door.
Additionally, the chaff and flare dispensers are seen. pic.twitter.com/JXGtirtxU4
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) October 17, 2025
Apparently, a clip from a Could 2018 official presentation by then Russian protection minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed the Su-57 releasing an X-69, through the fighter’s deployment to Syria’s Khmeimim air base. Nevertheless, the missile’s pink coloration additionally signifies it might be an older clip from a take a look at from inside Russia.
В продовження теми wunderwaffe – залишки російської керованої ракети “Гром-Э1” знайдені десь в полях.Скріни з відео в Тік-Ток pic.twitter.com/UJDsiRe4Oh
— MilitaryAviationInUa (@MilAviaUA) March 12, 2023
I missed this, however apparently on 7 FEB 2024 Russia employed a Kh-69 ALCM for the primary time. Initially provided because the Kh-59MK2, a closely modernized Kh-59M by-product with DSMAC steering, the idea developed into the Kh-69 and was later provided as a standoff possibility for the Su-57 pic.twitter.com/Kvnzc126r1
— John Ridge 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇹🇼 (@John_A_Ridge) February 16, 2024
The Su-57 was at all times meant to be a multirole, heavy-weight fighter able to each air superiority/air dominance and surface-strike, buying and selling off pure stealth for long-range and heavy payload capability, in contrast to the F-22 and the F-35 Lightning II.
Su-57 fighter launch a superior cruise missiles in Syria, mentioned Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu. pic.twitter.com/TvEo8AF9Kw
— 笑脸男人 (@lfx160219) Could 25, 2018
Russia doesn’t depend on the Felon for operations in Ukraine, with all Fight Air Patrol (CAP), standoff strike, battlefield interdiction and floor assault roles being undertaken by the Su-30SM/SM2, Su-35S, Su-34 Fullback and the Su-25 Frogfoot. This exhibits how the VKS is hiding the capabilities and playbook related to the fighter for the foremost battle it has lengthy anticipated with NATO.
