MOSCOW – While major air forces the world over are looking at acquiring 5thgeneration fighters, the Russians are already testing systems which will beused for the futuristic 6th generation jets. A few days ago, a RussianSu-57 fighter was used to test onboard systems for the future6th-generation jet.

These 6th-generation jets will be equipped with lasers which can physicallyburn an enemy’s missile homing heads. The fighters will also haveelectromagnetic guns and guided electronic munitions.

According to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, a source in the country’s airdefence industry said, “There are no plans to create the unmanned versionof the Su-57. It is currently being used to test some systems of the futuresixth-generation fighter jet, which will be a drone in its baseline versionand only optionally piloted.” The onboard systems include “control andnavigation equipment and weapon systems”.

However, ITAR-TASS also added that there is no official confirmation on thetests for the 6th generation jets by Russia’s United Aircraft-BuildingCorporation, which developed the Su-57 jet.

Colonel General and former Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces ViktorBondarev had in November 2017 claimed that the Su-57 could be developedinto a 6th-generation aircraft. Former Russian deputy prime minister DmitryRogozin had in March 2016 announced that Russia was working on a6th-generation fighter and the Sukhoi Design Bureau had made some progresson it.

Russia is also working on developing a radio-photonic radar for its futurefighter jets. The radar, once fully developed in a few years time, will bemounted on the 6th-generation jets.

A radio-photonic radar has a much longer range than radars currently inservice and will be able to develop photographic images of the targets thatcan be easily and automatically identified. It will have advancedanti-jamming capabilities while being capable of performing electronicwarfare missions, transmit data and be used as a means of communication.