Page 11 - AAPT August 19

Feature
The United States Air Force F-22 Raptor
performs an aerial display.
CPL Glen McCarthy

variety of advanced Chinese designed 12 medium-range air-to-air missile. 2. The aircraft is armed with a single
precision-guided bombs, and air-to- While Russia's Air Force has 30mm cannon and between 12 and 16
air missiles in internal weapons bays inherited a variety of Soviet-era fighter hardpoints, including internal weapons
and advanced electro-optical targeting aircraft designs, which has up until bays capable of carrying Russian
systems and active electronically recently placed the Air Force at a made air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-
scanned array (AESA) radars. disadvantage as regional nations to-surface munitions, including 'dumb'
Meanwhile, the Shenyang FC-31, introduce more advanced aircraft into and 'smart' bombs.
while smaller than the larger J-20 their own fleets, the Su-57 as Russia's Like the US export-focused F-35,
design has given rise to concerns answer to the American F-22 Raptor both the Chinese FC-31 and Russian
about the introduction of the airframe and the Chinese J-20. The Su-57 is Su-57 have potential for export for
as a carrier-based aircraft on China's intended to succeed the MiG-29 and nations unable to access or afford
growing fleet of aircraft carriers. The FC- Su-27 series fighters in Russian service. advanced US weapons systems, or
31 incorporates a range of Chinese and The twin-engine, multi-role air for nations that act within the sphere
Russian technology, mainly Russian- superiority fighter aircraft is the first of influence of both China and Russia,
designed jet engines to ensure the Russian aircraft to incorporate radar
J-31 can carry 8,000 kilograms of reducing cross sections and materials, further complicating strategic planning
payload, with four munitions totaling high-capacity sensor integration for American allies, including Australia,
2,000 kilograms internally, and 6,000 and advanced engines. Su-57 has as their existing air combat forces come
kilograms carried on six external a supersonic range of about 1,500 face-to-face with increasingly capable
hardpoints; primary armaments include kilometres and subsonic range of 3,500 peer competitors.
the PL-10 short-range missile and PL- kilometres and max speed of Mach Courtesy Defence Connect

11