A recently released image from Russia appears to show a Sukhoi Su-57 Felon carrying four R-77 air-to-air missiles on external pylons, an unusual configuration for the country's fifth-generation fighter and one that has prompted speculation about its intended role.
Unlike the Su-57's standard configuration, which keeps weapons inside internal bays to preserve its low-observable characteristics, the aircraft in the image carries four missiles under its wings. If its internal weapon bays also contain missiles, the fighter could carry a significantly larger air-to-air payload than usual.
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The image alone, however, does not reveal why the aircraft was equipped in this manner. It may represent a flight test, an evaluation of new operational concepts or simply a configuration displayed for publicity purposes. Without official information, any conclusion about its intended mission remains speculative.
External stores increase the aircraft's radar signature and reduce one of the principal advantages of a stealth fighter. On the other hand, they also expand the number of weapons available for missions where low observability is less critical, such as operations over friendly territory or after enemy air defenses have been suppressed.
The concept is not unique to the Su-57. The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II can also carry external weapons in what is commonly known as "beast mode," sacrificing stealth in exchange for greater firepower when operational conditions permit.
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The missiles shown in the image appear to belong to the R-77 family, although the available resolution does not allow confirmation of the exact variant. Russia currently operates both the R-77-1 and the newer R-77M, the latter developed specifically to fit inside the Su-57's internal weapon bays.
The Su-57 has seen limited operational use during the war in Ukraine, primarily from Russian-controlled airspace. British intelligence previously reported that the aircraft had launched long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles without entering Ukrainian-controlled territory, reducing its exposure to enemy air defenses.
