Leaked internal documents reviewed by the open-source intelligence group InformNapalm suggest that Russia is repurposing Su-57 fighter jet components for its secretive PAK DA strategic stealth bomber, a long-running program now hampered by sanctions and tooling shortages.
According to the files, hydraulic actuators and geared hinges labeled 80RSh115 and 80RSh, originally developed for the Su-57’s internal weapon bays, are being adapted for the bomber’s subsystem architecture. These parts are vital for opening and closing the aircraft’s internal bays—key to maintaining its radar-stealth profile.
The documents further reveal that EU sanctions on OKBM, one of the manufacturers involved, have disrupted the supply of high-precision machine tools essential for these assemblies. As a result, subsystem testing has been pushed toward 2027, effectively delaying early serial readiness goals.
The PAK DA—designed as a subsonic flying-wing platform to replace the Tu-95MS and Tu-160—emphasizes endurance and low observability over speed. With an estimated range of up to 15,000 km and a payload capacity of 30–35 tonnes, it aims to rival the U.S. B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider in mission scope. Its two modified NK32-02 engines, derived from the Tu-160M2, will enable long-duration, low-radar-cross-section missions.
Despite progress in subsystem development, Russia’s industrial dependency on precision tooling and limited domestic composite production remain critical obstacles. InformNapalm’s leak underscores the Kremlin’s growing reliance on component reuse and cross-platform integration—signs of both ingenuity and strain within the Russian aerospace sector.
Analysts note that while the PAK DA’s endurance and payload could make it a formidable long-range strike platform, continued production bottlenecks threaten to postpone its first flight beyond the latter half of the decade.
