The R-37M is the only one of its class to boast a range exceeding 300 km. For comparison, the US AMRAAM AIM-120D has a maximum range of over 180 km. Compared to its predecessors, the R-37M version boasts a new guidance system and reduced weight, enabling it to be installed on smaller platforms. It was initially designed to equip the upgraded MiG-31BM Foxhound interceptors. The missile is also expected to become the primary weapon of the fourth-generation Su-30s and Su-35s. If this proves true, the R-37M will be used against almost any US military aircraft in various theaters of operation worldwide.

The system’s prime mission is to take down such assets as AWACS, JTARS, other C4ISTAR, and electronic attack and aerial-refueling aircraft, while keeping its launch platform out of range of any fighters that might be protecting the target. Weighing 60 kg, its high explosive fragmentation warhead is powerful enough to critically damage the largest aircraft.

The missile’s maximum speed of Mach 6 (compared to the AMRAAM’s and Meteor’s Mach 4) — more than 4,500 mph — and active-seeker homing system to guide it during its terminal phase make it a threat to all fighter jets. The seeker has 2 channels — X and Ku.

As one can see, this missile gives Russian warplanes an advantage over any NATO combat aircraft in both speed and reach. No other missile in the bloc’s current inventory can match it. Once the R-37M enters service, this will open a vulnerability gap that will remain until the US and other leading NATO members are able to put into operation the MBDA’s Meteor air-to-air missile that is currently being introduced in the Swedish Air Force.

The R-37M can attack targets at altitudes of between 15 and 25,000 m. It can hit stealth targets, such as the F-35, at a range of 190 km. The F-35 cannot accelerate to a speed that would allow it to escape a collision with the incoming missile.

Tracking its targets with both semi-active and active radar homing, the missile can also utilize a fire-and-forget mode, making it completely independent of its launch platform. It can destroy air targets head-on. Inertial guidance renders it invisible to radar during its midcourse flight. When active homing is activated, the pilot has only fractions of a second to take countermeasures. The R-37M’s warhead is resistant to electronic warfare and it has an off-boresight capability of 120. 

According to the Russian media, in September 2018, the missile was launched from a MiG-31BM and it intercepted an RM-75 Armavir target missile during an exercise held in the Trans-Baikal region. The Armavir was imitating a high-velocity ballistic target. Its effective radar cross section measured 0.1-0.4 sq. m. The Armavir’s speed ranged from 2,500—3,500 kmh. It took the R-37M only 5-7 seconds to intercept the target from a distance of 30 km at an altitude of roughly 9 km.

The newest F-35 that the US military is so proud of is far from invulnerable to Russia’s latest, sophisticated surface-to-air systems. The R-37M that is integrated with at least four platforms is another threat to that stealth super aircraft. AWACS and other large planes are not stealth, and they are all relatively easy targets for a platform armed with the R-37M. At present, there is no super weapon the US can rely on in its inventory that will ensure its dominance in the air if the enemy is Russia. Air-to-air warfare is where the US has lost its lead, as the R-37M’s performance is currently unmatched. Russia’s air-to-air missiles outperform any US analogs in terms of both range and speed.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Army 2018 International Military and Technical Forum, which was held Aug. 21-26, is an outstanding event that reflects the "huge potential" of Russia’s defense industry and promotes military cooperation with other countries. Held at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center in the town on Kubinka, outside Moscow, this largest tri-service arms show offers indoor and outdoor exhibits for participating companies. Separate, live demonstrations at the Alabino shooting range, Komsomolskoe Lake, and the Kubinka airfield show off flyovers by air force aerobatic squadrons and displays of the latest army weapons systems in action. The forum showcases over 600 units of armament and equipment, divided into army, air force, and navy categories. A total of 1,209 exhibitors take part, offering 18,000 exhibits for display. Almost 700,000 people are expected to visit the forum, including foreigners from 62 countries. Sixty-five official foreign military delegations, 78 defense firms, and holding companies from 14 countries are also taking part in the exhibition. Seven national pavilions represent Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Slovakia, and South Africa. A host of conferences are held throughout the days of the forum, covering 24 “thematic areas” or topics and convening 140 separate meetings.

Many systems displayed at the Army 2018 have been tested during the military campaign in Syria. The show features Russia's Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, the Kinzhal hypersonic weapon, the Armata main battle tank (MBT), and various types of drones.

Armored vehicles of all kinds, including the T-90A, T-80U, and T-72B3 tanks are being displayed at the Alabino shooting range. One can see Iskander ballistic missiles there as well.

The MiG-31K, Su-57, Su-30SM, MiG-29 combat aircraft, and Yak-130 trainer offer air shows of acrobatic flying at the Kubinka airfield. Army units equipped with the BMP-3, BMD-4A, and BTR-82A infantry fighting vehicles held amphibious exercises and conducted water-crossing activities at the Komsomolskoe Lake from Aug. 22-23. IntellTechExpo is being held for the first time to promote military R&D activities.

New systems are being unveiled. For instance, the 2S40 Floks self-propelled mortar (SPM) is armed with a 120mm gun-mortar mounted on the Ural-43206 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) truck, which can fire high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) rounds or mortar shells at a rate of 8 and 10 rounds per minute, respectively. The system weighs about 20 tons. Its maximum operational range is 13 km. (artillery rounds), 10 km. (guided artillery projectiles), and 7.5 km. (mortar shells). It can carry 80 rounds of ammunition. The armament suite includes a 7.62mm. machine gun. The system is also equipped with an opto-electronic jamming system to counter high-precision threats.

Another SPM is the 82mm. 2S41 Drok mounted on the K-4386 Taifun-VDV 4×4 MRAP vehicle. It weighs 14 tons and is operated by a crew of four. It has an operational range of 100–6,000 m., with a continuous rate of fire of 12 rds/min. The system carries 40 mortar shells.

The 2S12A 120mm. vehicle-carried mortar that is currently undergoing trials is mounted on a protected Ural truck. It has a maximum range of 7,100 m. and a rate of fire of up to 15 rds/min.

All three SPMs are being presented by Russia’s Burevestnik Institute, a subsidiary of Rostec’s UralVagonZavod (UVZ) research and manufacturing corporation.

The Army 2018 Exhibit includes a demonstration of the new systems being offered for sale that are transforming Russia into the world’s leading arms exporter: the Karakurt class Project 22800 corvette, the Sprut-SDM1 2S25M 125mm self-propelled anti-tank gun on an armored tracked chassis, the BUK M3 Viking medium-range air-defense missile system, the Tor-E2 medium-range air-defense system, and the recent modification of the TOS multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Yury Borisov reported that Russia is working on a vertical and/or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. The order to develop it was given by President Putin last year. Serial production is to begin within a time frame of 7-10 years.

The Russian Helicopter Corporation displayed its upgraded Mi-28 NE gunship armed with anti-tank guided missiles and Ataka-B air-to-ground missiles. The upgraded helicopter now has new features: the ability to guide drones and drop 500kg. bombs.

The BMP-1AM “Basurmanin” modernized infantry-fighting vehicle is also a brand-new system. It has the same armament suite as the BTR-82A, which includes a 30mm. dual-feed automatic cannon, a 7.62mm. PKTM coaxial machine gun, and a Metis-M anti-tank missile system. The turret incorporates two-axis stabilization and new sighting channels.

Rostec Corporation demonstrated its “stealth camouflage” technology for ground forces, which is capable of changing its appearance. It can alter its color and pattern depending on the soldier’s background environment. According to Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov, the technology, “can reflect color changes and imitate graphical depictions as complex as the image of leaves fluttering in the wind.” It allows a soldier to carry a 50kg. load. Rostec reported that the exoskeleton has been tested under combat conditions.

But one system truly stole the show. The Kalashnikov Corporation displayed its robot Igorek – a walking soldier that weighs 4.5 tons and can fire weapons it holds in its claws. It can be operated from inside, with its pilots protected from bullets behind its armored glass and metal encasement. An operator can guide it with the help of the exoskeleton and special glasses. The robot can discern objects and answer questions.

The Igorek on display at the Army 2018 is only a prototype. It is still under development and some of its features have yet to be revealed. The robot's capabilities are still limited, but an improved version is likely to be displayed at the Army 2020 Forum. Igorek has a competitor – Feodor. Hopefully, the spirit of fair competition between them will spur progress in the robotization of the Russian military. The Kalashnikov Company also exhibited its Zala 421-16E5V2 unmanned aerial vehicle that is able to fly for a distance of 1,200 km.

Russia’s Kronshtadt Techologies Group, a leading high-tech company, demonstrated the Orion-E unmanned aerial vehicle — a one-ton class surveillance drone that is undergoing flight testing. It is capable of automatic takeoffs and landings and can fly continuously for 24 hours, carrying a surveillance payload of up to 200 kg.

The Army 2018 Exhibition has once again confirmed that Moscow’s ongoing rearmament program has made Russia the world leader in military technology, able to offer the best of the best on the global arms market. It has demonstrated that the export capabilities of the Russian defense industry have soared to new heights.

Russian Sukhoi T-50 fighter jets perform amazing stunts at MAKS 2017

The fighter will complete its first set of flight tests by the end of 2017, said the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Viktor Bondarev. According to him, «We do have something to be proud of. The first phase of PAK-FA trials will be over in December and eventually we will receive such planes».

Various hardware elements designed for a future 6th generation fighter jet have been tested on the Su-57 during flight tests.

The new plane is designed to rival the American F-22. It offers much of the same capabilities as the new fifth-generation fighter, with exception of stealth. The Su-57 possesses advanced avionics such as active phased array radar and sensor fusion. The radar offers both forward-looking and side-scanning capabilities.

Combined with a high fuel load, the Su-57 has a supersonic range of over 1,500 km, more than twice that of the Su-27. Maximum speed: at altitude: Mach 2 (2,140 km/h; 1,320 mph), supercruise: Mach 1.6 (1,700 km/h; 1,060 mph). Range: 3,500 km (2,175 mi; 1,890 nmi) subsonic, 1,500 km (930 mi; 810 nmi) supersonic. Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft). Operational endurance: up to 5.8 hours. Maximum take-off weight: 35480 kg, maximum operational load: 10 tons. During testing the aircraft demonstrated the ability to achieve a 384 meters per second climbing rate. It could equal to the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, in a mere 23 seconds.

The fighter is armed with a 30 mm autocannon. T-50 carries four long-range missiles in its two main weapons bays and two short-range missiles in the wing root weapons bays. The primary medium-range missile is the active radar-homing K-77M, an upgraded R-77 variant with AESA seeker and conventional rear fins. The short-range missile is the infrared-homing ("heat seeking") K-74M2. The armament can include further developed and modified variants of Kh-35UE (AS-20 «Kayak») anti-ship missile and Kh-58UShK (AS-11 «Kilter») anti-radiation missile.

The main bays can also accommodate air-to-ground missiles such as the Kh-38M, as well as multiple 250 kg KAB-250, or 500 kg KAB-500 precision guided bombs.

For missions that do not require stealth, the T-50 can carry weapons on its six external hardpoints. PAK-FA chief designer Alexander Davydenko has said the installation of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on the Su-57 is an option. Only one or two such missiles may be carried due to heavy weight of the BrahMos.

According to the plans, the aircraft will carry Р-37М (AA-13 Arrow) air-to-air missile with a maximum range of 370 km. The missile is now in production to equip upgraded Russian MiG-31BM Foxhound interceptors. It is designed to shoot down AWACS and other C4ISTAR aircraft whilst keeping the launch platform out of range of any fighters that might be protecting the target. The KS-172, an even more agile long-range air-to-air missile with a maximum range of 460 km, is at the stage of development.

The Sh-121 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system includes X band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, or active phased array radar. The use of the L-band in the operation of the radar in the air-to-air mode is the main means of detecting low-profile aircraft from the T-50.The avionics suite comprises the 101KS Atoll electro-optical system which allows to control airspace in the optical range around the perimeter of the aircraft, as well as to protect the aircraft from attacking missiles. Four sensors provide for infrared vision to help the pilot during maneuvers at low altitude or when landing. There are systems for generating interference in the infrared range. The Atoll also features ultraviolet missile warning sensors and 101KS-N navigation and targeting pod.

Two N036L-1-01 L band transceivers on the wing's leading edge extensions handle the N036Sh Pokosnik friend-or-foe identification system and are also used for electronic warfare purposes. The T-50 will have secure communication links to share data with all other friendly aircraft in the area, as well as airborne and ground-based control points.

A new avionics suite is being developed to use indigenous Russian multi-core microprocessors and a new indigenous real-time operating system. It’s expected to make use of fiber-optic channels with a throughput of the more 8 Gbit/s, which is up from 100 Mbit/sec for traditional copper wires.

The T-50 has a glass cockpit with two 38 cm (15 in) main multifunctional LCD displays. Positioned around the cockpit are three smaller control panel displays. The cockpit has a wide-angle (30° by 22°) head-up display, and Moscow-based Geofizika-NV provides a new NSTsI-V helmet-mounted sight and display for the ZSh-10 helmet. Primary controls are the joystick and a pair of throttles. The aircraft uses a two-piece canopy, with the aft section sliding forward and locking into place. The canopy is treated with special coatings to increase the aircraft’s stealth.

The first T-50 aircraft will be powered by interim Saturn AL-41F1 afterburning turbofans producing 32,500lbs thrust each. The same engine is installed on the new Su-35 fighter. It is a highly improved and uprated variant of the AL-31 that powers the Su-27 family of aircraft. A new power plant (Product or Izdelie 30) is being developed. It has not yet received its name. The new engine is supposed to provide 17-18% more thrust, improved fuel efficiency, and higher reliability than the AL-41F1.

The plane’s body incorporates all-moving horizontal and vertical stabilizers, which toe inwards to serve as the aircraft's airbrake. The advanced flight control system and thrust vectoring nozzles make the aircraft departure resistant and highly maneuverable in both pitch and yaw. The plane is capable of performing very high angles of attack maneuvers such as Pugachev's Cobra and the Bell maneuver, along with doing flat rotations with little altitude loss.

The T-50 is not an «invisible» aircraft but it vastly uses stealth technology. It makes extensive use of composites, comprising 25% of the structural weight and almost 70% of the outer surface. The plane boasts internal weapons carriage. The payload is housed in two tandem main weapons bays between the engine nacelles and smaller bulged, triangular-section bays near the wing root. It eliminates drag from external stores and enables higher performance compared to external carriage, as well as enhancing stealth.

The airframe incorporates planform edge alignment to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS); the leading and trailing edges of the wings and control surfaces and the serrated edges of skin panels are carefully aligned at several specific angles in order to reduce the number of directions the radar waves can be reflected. The infrared search and track system is turned backwards when not in use, and its rear is treated with radar-absorbent material to reduce its radar return. Radar blockers are used in front of the engine fan to hide it from all angles.

It is believed that the T-50 is more maneuverable than its US rivals – the F-35 and F-22. The plane has a comparative advantage in air engagements. Compared to the F-22, the PAK-FA is faster, has a longer operational range, and better target detection. «It certainly has greater agility with its combination of thrust vectoring, all moving tail surfaces, and excellent aerodynamic design, than does the F-35», said former US Air Force intelligence chief Lt. General David Deptula.

India and Vietnam are already on the list of potential buyers.

Highly maneuverable, with supercruise capability and advanced avionics, the Su-57 is second to none in the world. When in service, it will put an end to the US quarter century-long monopoly on the design of very low observable (VLO) or stealth aircraft.