The Su-57E completed a long-range flight to Egypt without relying on conventional external fuel tanks. Instead, the fighter carried additional fuel in internal tanks fitted inside its weapons bays, a configuration that Rostec says delivered exceptional range and endurance.

The aircraft used this setup on its way to the El Alamein International Airshow, held in Egypt from September 8 to 10. Keeping the extra fuel inside the airframe allowed the Su-57E to avoid external tank carriage.

The fighter reached El Alamein with just one intermediate stop. According to Rostec, it still had enough fuel left after arrival to cover roughly another 1,000 kilometers.

That remaining reserve was sufficient for a demonstration flight the following day. Rostec said the fuel expenditure during the display was comparable to that of a full-scale aerial combat engagement.

Placing the additional tanks inside the aircraft also fits the fifth-generation fighter concept. The arrangement preserves the Su-57E’s aerodynamics while providing a substantial increase in ferry range without resorting to external fuel tanks.

Rostec said the flight to Egypt demonstrated that the Su-57E is unmatched among operational-tactical aircraft in terms of combat radius and time spent in the air.