Recently published images from United Aircraft Corporation have revealed additional details of the internal weapon bays of one of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighters belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The photograph, released by the company, was published alongside a promotional video showing the aircraft demonstrating its acrobatic capabilities, possibly in anticipation of the 2025 Dubai Air Show.
Although the photographs reveal previously unknown details—such as the internal capacity of the forward weapon bay—it is the video that clearly demonstrates the operation of both internal stations (the Su-57 also features side bays) with the fighter in flight.
From the side bays, the video released by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) shows the full sequence of how the K-74M2 air-to-air missiles emerge from the fairings near the wing roots, ready to be launched. In addition to these internal bays, the Su-57 also features two large bays arranged in tandem between the engines of the fifth-generation fighter currently in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
In the case of the forward central bay, the video not only shows the opening sequence but, according to the photos released by UAC, also provides a detailed view of its internal capacity. Previous reports had described the launch of air-to-surface missiles; however, until now there had been no clear image of these internal bays.
In this instance, the Su-57 that took part in the demonstration appears to be armed with two Kh-58UShKE anti-radiation missiles or similar projectiles. The missile’s manufacturer specifies that “…The Kh-58UShKE missile can also be used by advanced multirole aircraft in internal configuration, from a UVKU-50-type catapult launcher… the missile can be employed both against pre-designated radar targets and against those rapidly detected by the carrier aircraft’s acquisition system…”
The internal bays of the Su-57, as well as their associated launch systems, are among the best-kept secrets of the manufacturer UAC and the Russian Aerospace Forces themselves. However, over time, images and videos have slowly been released, partially showing the use of these bays.
One of the most recent cases occurred last year at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Zhuhai Airshow. On that occasion, one of the two Su-57s that Russia brought to China clearly exposed one of its internal side bays, revealing what was until then almost a mystery.
Although the images and video released by UAC serve as a promotional move for the Su-57, many aspects of the fifth-generation fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces remain unknown—both in terms of its capabilities and its participation in the conflict in Ukraine, a war that has already resulted in the loss of at least one aircraft in service.
Cover and article images: UAC. Note: The cover image is an edited version of the one published by UAC, enhanced to make the details of the bays more visible.
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