Armed with hypersonic Zircon and nuclear KH102 missiles, Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 can hit targets thousands of kilometers away which other fighters can’t even see

Russian hypersonic and nuclear armed missiles have a new launch platform and its the latest fifth generation stealth fighter in the world - the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon. Russian Aerospace Forces have deployed the 3N-22 Zircon (NATO reporting name SS-N-33), one of the fastest missiles in active service on the Felon jets in the war against Ukraine. These Russian stealth fighters also carry a modified variant of the 3,500-kilometer range KH 101/102 missiles, making Su-57 the only fighter in the world to have the capability to strike at such a massive distance.

If the Russian claims are true, the war against Ukraine and western sanctions since late February 2022 have failed to dent Moscow's ability to design, develop and manufacture newer weapons. The highly maneuverable, agile and long-range Zircon, a missile primarily developed for the Russian Navy, has been modified for an air-to-surface role while the KH 101/102, too, have undergone a major redesign to arm the Su-57.

An official admission of the 3N-22 Zircon arming the Su-57 and targeting Ukraine was made just a few days back by Chief of the Main Staff and Russian Aerospace Forces First Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Alexander Maksimtsev. The announcement signals Russian intent to fully operationalize the Su-57 and battle test it over the skies of Ukraine.


Also Read: Aliens coming, interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may be their ship and we have no defense; this Harvard astrophysicist is almost 100% sure

How Zircon missile makes Su-57 a dangerous fighter

An Su-57 armed with 3N-22 Zircon gives Russian Aeroscape Forces an unprecedented striking ability unmatched by its adversaries including the United States of America and the NATO forces.

In comparison, the US Navy operates the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM or SM-6). The SM-6 is primarily used against aerial targets but can be deployed in anti-ship missions and used to neutralize sea-skimming cruise missiles.

The Zircon can be armed with nuclear weapons and is a scramjet powered hypersonic missile capable of flying at Mach 9 (over 6,000 miles per hour or 9,600 kmph) with a reported range of 1,000 kilometers.

Russian media had reported in February 2023 about a new hypersonic missile being developed for the Su-57, which was at that time being panned by the western media for lacking true fifth generation and stealth capabilities.

Also Read: Trump orders NASA to kill 2 satellites that can function for many more years - the reason will shock all

While the Zircon is the latest addition to the Su-57 arsenal, the stealth fighter has been flying armed with conventional as well as nuclear tipped long-range KH101/102 cruise missiles. These missiles are the primary weapons of Russian strategic bombers like the Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack, Tu-22M3/5 Backfire C, Tu-95MS16 Bear-H, and the Su-27IB fighter.

Both the KH 101/102 missiles have been redesigned and redeveloped to fit the Su-57 but their target range remains 3500 kilograms. This gives the Russian stealth jet the longest strike range among comparable fighters. The KH 101/102 missiles on Su-57s carry a smaller ammunition package, have a compact airframe, and folding wings while the turbofan TRDD-50A turbojet engine has also been modified.

Russia has also ramped up the production of the SU-57 to meet the demand of 76 fighters flying before 2028. United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which makes the Su-57 at its Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in the Russian Far East, delivered twice the number of stealth jets to the country's defence forces in 2024 as compared to 2023. The company had rolled out 12 Su-57s in 2023 and six a year earlier.