The race for air superiority in the 21st century has led to the development of fifth-generation fighter jets that combine stealth, agility, advanced avionics, and network-centric warfare capabilities. Among the leading contenders are the American F-35 Lightning II, Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, and the upcoming Indian Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). In this article, we conduct a comprehensive comparison of these aircraft, examining their design, performance, capabilities, and strategic significance.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of Each Aircraft
  • F-35 Lightning II
  • Sukhoi Su-57 Felon
  • HAL AMCA
• Design and Stealth Features
• Avionics and Cockpit Technology
• Engine and Performance
• Weapons and Payload
• Radar and Sensor Suite
• Network-Centric Warfare Capability
• Operational Status
• Cost and Export Market
• Strategic Importance and Indigenous Value
• Final Comparison Table
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Introduction

Fighter aircraft are no longer judged solely by speed or payload. In today’s defense landscape, stealth, situational awareness, electronic warfare, and data fusion play pivotal roles. The F-35 Lightning II, Su-57 Felon, and HAL AMCA represent their nations’ ambitions to dominate the skies well into the 21st century.

Overview of Each Aircraft

F-35 Lightning II

• Country: United States
• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
• Maiden Flight: 2006
• Variants: F-35A (conventional), F-35B (STOVL), F-35C (carrier)
• Entered Service: 2015
• Users: USA, UK, Italy, Japan, Australia, Israel, and others

Sukhoi Su-57 Felon

• Country: Russia
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi
• Maiden Flight: 2010
• Entered Service: Limited induction in 2020
• Users: Russian Aerospace Forces

HAL AMCA

• Country: India
• Developer: HAL, DRDO, ADA
• Maiden Flight (Planned): ~2026
• Induction (Expected): ~2030
• Status: Under development (design frozen, prototype phase expected in 2025)

Design and Stealth Features

F-35:

• Shaped for low radar cross-section (RCS)
• Internal weapons bay
• Radar-absorbent materials
• Smooth fuselage blending

Su-57:

• Stealthy front aspect; less stealthy from sides/rear
• Use of radar-absorbing materials
• Internal and external hardpoints
• Lateral engine intakes and side reflectivity reduce stealth

AMCA:

• Designed with full stealth features
• Angular fuselage, serpentine intakes
• Internal weapons bay
• Radar-absorbing coating under development

👉 Verdict: F-35 leads in mature stealth implementation. AMCA aims to match it. Su-57 prioritizes maneuverability over complete stealth.

Avionics and Cockpit Technology

F-35:

• Panoramic cockpit display
• Voice command, touchscreen interface
• Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS) with 360° situational awareness
• Sensor fusion across platforms

Su-57:

• Glass cockpit with multiple multifunctional displays
• Advanced HUD
• Helmet targeting system
• Less sensor fusion compared to F-35

AMCA:

• Projected: Touchscreen multifunctional displays, AI-assisted interface
• Next-gen HMDS and DRDO-developed software
• Modular, indigenous avionics architecture

👉 Verdict: F-35 offers unmatched sensor fusion. AMCA aims to include AI-based avionics. Su-57 remains powerful but less integrated.

Engine and Performance

Feature	F-35A	Su-57	AMCA (expected)
Engine	Pratt & Whitney F135	Saturn AL-41F1 (Izdeliye 117), Izdeliye 30 (future)	GE F414 or Izdeliye 30 (later)
Thrust (w/ AB)	~43,000 lbf	~33,000 lbf x 2	~52,000–60,000 lbf (twin)
Max Speed	Mach 1.6	Mach 2.0+	Mach 2.0 (expected)
Range	~2,200 km	~3,500 km	~2,800 km (expected)
Supercruise	Limited	Yes	Planned

👉 Verdict: Su-57 leads in raw performance and range; AMCA aims to match with twin-engine power. F-35 trades speed for advanced electronics.

Weapons and Payload

F-35:

• Internal & external load: ~8,160 kg
• Missiles: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X, JDAM, SDBs
• Supports nuclear weapons (B61)
• Stealth mode: only internal weapons

Su-57:

• Load: ~10,000 kg
• Missiles: K-77M, R-74, Kh-58UShK
• Capable of carrying hypersonic missiles
• Both internal and external carriage

AMCA:

• Expected load: ~7,500 kg
• Indigenous Astra BVR, Rudram, BrahMos-NG (future)
• Internal + external weapon bays
• Smart and precision-guided munitions

👉 Verdict: Su-57 leads in payload and versatility. F-35’s weapons are precision-focused. AMCA will emphasize indigenous missile integration.

Radar and Sensor Suite

F-35:

• AN/APG-81 AESA radar
• Distributed Aperture System (DAS)
• Electro-optical targeting and threat tracking

Su-57:

• N036 Byelka AESA radar with multiple antennas
• IRST system (OFLTs)
• Lesser fusion compared to F-35

AMCA:

• Indigenous GaN-based AESA radar (Uttam derivative)
• Infrared Search and Track (IRST)
• AI-assisted sensor fusion in development

👉 Verdict: F-35 has the most advanced fusion system. AMCA is aiming for high-end capability. Su-57’s suite is powerful but more conventional.

Network-Centric Warfare Capability

• F-35: Fully integrated with NATO networks, real-time data sharing, loyal wingman support
• Su-57: Data sharing is more limited; future upgrades aim for drone coordination
• AMCA: Designed for network-centric warfare with India’s C4I systems and drone teaming (CATS Warrior)

👉 Verdict: F-35 excels in interoperability. AMCA is aiming for drone integration. Su-57 is evolving in this domain.

Operational Status

• F-35: Over 900+ aircraft delivered; combat-tested in Syria, Iraq
• Su-57: Limited production; ~22 aircraft in 2024; combat-tested in Syria
• AMCA: No operational units yet; prototype expected by 2026

👉 Verdict: F-35 is globally deployed. Su-57 is in early deployment. AMCA is still in development.

Cost and Export Market

Aircraft	Unit Cost (Est.)	Export Status
F-35	~$80 million	Widely exported
Su-57	~$45–60 million	Limited interest (Algeria, UAE)
AMCA	~$65–75 million	Export potential post-2035

👉 Verdict: F-35 dominates exports. AMCA could serve nations seeking a non-Western 5th-gen option. Su-57 faces trust and cost issues.

Strategic Importance and Indigenous Value

• F-35: Strategic tool for U.S. alliances and defense sales
• Su-57: Russia’s flagship fighter with indigenous tech
• AMCA: Symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat, designed for Indian Air Force needs

👉 Verdict: AMCA holds the highest indigenous value for India. F-35 is a geopolitical weapon. Su-57 showcases Russian tech but lacks mass adoption.

Final Comparison Table

Feature	F-35 Lightning II	Su-57 Felon	HAL AMCA (Projected)
Stealth	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Moderate	✅ Advanced (planned)
Avionics	✅ Superior	⚠️ Good	✅ High (planned)
Maneuverability	⚠️ Moderate	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent (planned)
Speed	⚠️ Mach 1.6	✅ Mach 2.0+	✅ Mach 2.0 (planned)
Radar	✅ AESA + DAS	✅ AESA + IRST	✅ AESA + IRST
Supercruise	⚠️ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (planned)
Network Capability	✅ Advanced	⚠️ Developing	✅ Planned
Operational	✅ In service	⚠️ Limited fleet	🚧 In development
Export Reach	✅ Global	⚠️ Limited	🟡 Future potential

FAQs

Q1. Is AMCA better than Su-57 and F-35?
AMCA is not yet operational, but it aims to combine stealth, AI, and indigenous systems. It could rival existing jets by 2035 if development stays on track.

Q2. Is Su-57 truly fifth-generation?
It’s officially classified as fifth-generation, but some analysts argue it lacks the stealth profile and sensor fusion of the F-35.

Q3. Why is the F-35 considered the most advanced?
Its unmatched sensor fusion, networking, and stealth capabilities make it the most advanced and widely used 5th-gen fighter.

Q4. When will the AMCA fly?
The first AMCA prototype is expected to fly by 2026, with serial production starting around 2030.

Explore:

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• F-35 vs Sukhoi Su-57: A Comprehensive Comparison of Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighters
• F-16 vs Tejas LCA: Detailed Comparison of Two Modern Fighter Jets

Conclusion

Each aircraft represents a distinct military philosophy:

• The F-35 is a digital, stealth-dominant multirole fighter with unmatched tech but a high cost.
• The Su-57 blends traditional Russian maneuverability with emerging stealth and electronics.
• The AMCA aspires to blend stealth, agility, AI, and cost-efficiency to serve India’s future air superiority needs.

As fifth and sixth-generation warfare evolves, these aircraft will play crucial roles in shaping air combat doctrines globally.