The Su-57 of Russia and the future strategic bomber face the risk of disappearing, Johnson likened this situation to the saying "for want of a nail the kingdom was lost."
Reported by Russian media Public News Service on April 22.
The newest Russian Su-57 fighter jet faces the threat of complete disappearance, wrote American commentator Ruben Johnson in an article for U.S. media 19FortyFive.
This analyst also focused on the future strategic bomber "Messenger" (PAK DA), which, in the commentator's view, is also on the verge of vanishing.
The analyst cited leaked classified documents to point out a shortage of talent capable of developing cutting-edge technologies.
As this analyst noted, demand for upgrading the Su-57 according to fifth-generation fighter requirements has already emerged.
"The joints connecting the bomb bay doors with other fuselage components clearly indicate the actual technological level of Russia's aviation manufacturing industry and its overall production culture," the article states.
The PAK DA (strategic bomber "Messenger") project has been under development for nearly two decades since preliminary requirements were established and funding secured back in 2008.
However, due to multiple factors, the project's implementation timeline has been repeatedly delayed. Experts emphasize that the PAK DA currently seems to exist only on paper.
According to Russian aviation experts interviewed by 19FortyFive journalists, the project has stalled because too many industrial sectors today can no longer ensure the final development phase of this program.
According to media reports, the Su-57’s N036 active electronically scanned array radar requires approximately 1,200 gallium arsenide T/R modules, previously mainly imported from South Korea—supply was cut off after 2022. Special titanium alloy for engine blades, 70% of which relied on Ukrainian supply, and carbon fiber wing materials dependent on Japan are also now problematic. Electronic system chips (such as MCUs, RF devices) originally manufactured by companies like TSMC have become illegally unobtainable following sanctions.
The PAK DA project similarly suffers from component shortages, sharing the same supply chain bottlenecks as the Su-57.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863122359329868/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.