The Russian fifth-generation Su-57 stealth aircraft has been equipped with hypersonic weapons, further enhancing the combat capability of the cutting-edge fighter jet, according to reports in the Russian state media.
“In accordance with the state defense order, the Aerospace Forces annually receive advanced and modernized weapon systems. The pace of deliveries of fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft is increasing, along with modern aviation strike systems and hypersonic weapons,” Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander in Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev was quoted as saying by the Russian state news agency TASS.
The Commander did not directly mention whether the stealth aircraft has been equipped with hypersonic weapons or if the VKS is still working to achieve that integration.
He also did not name the hypersonic weapons that are being delivered. However, since he highlighted the increase in Su-57 deliveries, a new batch of aircraft delivered to the VKS could have been equipped with these hypersonic weapons. However, that is merely a conjecture and cannot be officially verified by the EuAsian Times.
The development is significant but not entirely surprising, especially since Russia has already equipped the MiG-31K with Kinzhal aero-ballistic hypersonic missiles.
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In fact, it has fired several Kinzhals on Ukrainian positions in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the Su-34 fighter bombers can also fire the Kinzhal, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
Currently, the only known air-launched hypersonic weapon that Russia has is the Kinzhal. However, no official confirmation exists that the Kinzhal itself is certified for the Su-57, though integration is not out of bounds.
Additionally, an upgraded variant of the R-37M air-to-air missile, capable of travelling at the hypersonic speed of Mach 6 and with a range of over 300 kilometres, has been mentioned as a potential hypersonic weapon for the Su-57.
Separately, some other reports suggest that a new air-to-ground missile has been in development for a while, with plans to incorporate the hypersonic missile onto the Su-57 platform. However, all information regarding this new missile remains classified as of now.
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While the VKS Commander did not explicitly name the Zircon, multiple reports suggest that a compact air-launched Zircon variant, designed for the Su-57’s internal weapons bays to preserve its stealth profile, has been developed for the jet. A prototype of this missile was allegedly tested by early 2023.
These claims could not be independently corroborated by the EurAsian Times.
However, the plans to equip the Su-57—the most advanced tactical aircraft in the Russian inventory—have been around for a long time.
According to reports, the first serially produced Su-57, delivered to the Akhtubinsk flight test center in November 2020, was designated for testing these hypersonic weapons. Additionally, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said in December that the Su-57 would be integrated with sixth-generation tech, including hypersonic weapons.
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Russia is known to have deployed the aircraft sparingly in combat against Ukraine, mainly to launch standoff attacks from the safety of the Russian airspace. A hypersonic missile will significantly bolster the firepower and overall combat capability of the stealth fighter.
“Integrating the Zircon onto the Su-57, which combines a very long range with advanced stealth capabilities, could significantly increase the threat to hostile shipping, particularly as the Su-57 fleet is projected to grow to several hundred fighters by the late 2030s,” states the TASS report.
“There remains a significant possibility that a compact air-launched hypersonic missile class developed for the Su-57 would also be deployed more widely across the Russian fighter fleet, particularly as the Su-57 is currently fielded in only a single regiment,” it added.
Social media site X was also flooded with speculations that an air-launched Zircon would be integrated on the Su-57. If true, this would likely boost the export potential of the aircraft, as Russia has been making concerted efforts to sell the aircraft, albeit with little to no success. The diversity in the weapons package of the aircraft might make the prospect even more attractive than it currently is.
Zircon Hypersonic Missile
Zircon is a hypersonic cruise missile that uses scramjet propulsion. Zircon cruise missiles use cooled supersonic combustion ramjet engines, which power combustion by compressing air flowing at supersonic speeds due to the missile’s forward motion.
This is in contrast to other hypersonic weapons like the China-made DF-17 or the Russian-made Avangard, which use a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV).
The missile is designed to defeat high-value targets, including naval vessels such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, and ground-based infrastructure, with high speed and maneuverability to evade air defense systems.
It is designed to strike sea and ground targets and has a range of over 1,000 kilometers. It can reach a speed of up to Mach 8 and is believed to have a warhead weighing between 300 to 400 kilograms.
The missile is likely guided by inertial navigation, satellite navigation (GLONASS), and has active radar homing for terminal guidance. It also reportedly includes anti-jamming features and mid-course updates for precision targeting, and is capable of conducting evasive maneuvers to counter missile defense systems.
Heaping praises on Russia’s sea-based hypersonic missile Zircon (or Tsirkon), the CEO of Tactical Missiles Corporation, Boris Obnosov, said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television that the missile can defeat nearly any air defense system. “For the time being, the characteristics of the Tsirkon system are extremely high, and, of course, a very effective anti-missile or air defense system is needed to intercept it. To me, at present, Tsirkon is a weapon that allows us to say that we can overcome any enemy defense.”
According to available information, the missile is being mounted on Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, upgraded Kirov-class cruisers, and other vessels equipped with 3S14 vertical launch systems (VLS). It is also being fitted on the Yasen-class submarines, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
The Zircon will enhance Russia’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, particularly in regions like the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, or Arctic, where it can threaten NATO naval forces. An air-launched variant of this missile would also be able to launch sophisticated ground attacks on targets such as command centers, airbases, or other crucial military infrastructure.
