A new stealth nozzle has been installed on the left engine of the T-50-2 prototype, the same one used to test the new AL-51F engine.
one Russian Su-57 fighter jet Finally equipped with a new stealth flat two-dimensional thrust vector nozzle for testing. This aircraft appears to be Felon’s second prototype T-50-2 “052 Blue”, the same aircraft used to test the AL-51F engine, also known as Izdeliye 30 (Product 30).
It’s unclear how long Russia has been testing the new nozzles, as the few images and short videos that have surfaced online only show the aircraft on the ground. Testing may still be in its initial stages, however, as only the left engine is equipped with the new nozzles. Additionally, it’s unclear when the images were taken.
The new nozzle was tested on the PAK-FA airframe. pic.twitter.com/xNJMjsixbF
— Clark (@krakek1) December 10, 2024
New flat nozzle
In addition to images of the nozzles installed on the T-50-2, some slides from the presentation were also shared online. These show some images of testing on the test bench and in the wind tunnel as well as some details.
A slide produced by United Engine Company stated that 90% of the parts of the nozzle demonstrator were Additive manufacturing (Also commonly referred to as 3D printing). Another slide shows the nozzle’s supersonic shutters being hydraulically actuated, while the main body and side walls are fixed.
There are currently two versions circulating online to explain the new development: further development of the AL-51F or a sixth-generation engine. The former is most likely, as the Russian Air Force has mentioned in the past its willingness to install flat nozzle On the Su-57.
Maybe not completely 2D like F119 pic.twitter.com/qDuHn92xW1
— Hu Lin (@Hurin92) December 10, 2024
Additionally, the slide mentioned a sixth-generation engine but did not specify that it was the engine being tested. In fact, the slide, using drawings as a reference, mentions a number of areas defined as promising for the development of a new sixth-generation engine. These include turbine ceramic stages, discless impellers, new high-performance bearings and seals, flat nozzles, adaptive three-circuit engine technology and new combustion chambers.
The nozzles now installed on the Su-57 prototypes bear some resemblance to those on the American F-22 F119 engine. One notable difference is the installation itself, with the nozzles on the F-22 moving vertically and the nozzles on the Su-57 moving diagonally.
The AL-51F was originally equipped with a “standard” serrated round nozzle. The new flat nozzles reportedly result in a 6-8% thrust loss, but this may be considered acceptable due to the reduced radar and infrared signature.
AL-51F/Izdeliye 30 engine
The engine originally used on the Su-57 was NPO Saturn AL-41F-1also known as Izdeliye 117, derived from the model used by the Su-35. The engine was considered underpowered for the aircraft, but it was never intended to be a permanent power plant, but only a temporary one until the final engine was ready.
The new Izdeliye 30 engine has improved Su 57Thrust is reported to be 11,000kg without afterburner and 18,000kg with afterburner, while the previous engine offered 8,800kg and 15,000kg respectively. The new engine reportedly has fewer parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs and shorter maintenance schedules, and is said to offer better fuel economy.
#photo fifth generation fighter #sukhoi The Su-57 (T-50, PAK FA Flying Laboratory) is equipped with a second-stage engine.
Michael Polyakov pictures pic.twitter.com/L2HNOszbcK
— UAC Russia (@UAC_Russia_eng) March 16, 2020
Like most modern Russian fighter jets, the Izdeliye 30 is a thrust vectoring engine with supercruise capability, allowing the Su-57 to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners. The new engine should reportedly enable the jet to reach a top speed in excess of Mach 2 and have a supercruise capability of Mach 1.3.
this First test flight successful On December 5, 2017, a test flight was conducted with the new Izdeliye-30 and the Su-57. Sukhoi chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan conducted a 17-minute test flight of the T-50-2 prototype at the MM Gromov Flight Test Center. Zhukovsky.
mass production Production of the Izdeliye 30 engine is expected to begin in 2022, and the engine will receive the designation AL-51F in 2023. Initial reports stated that the engine is expected to be ready by 2025, but deliveries of Su-57s equipped with the new engine are reported to begin in 2023.
