In a recently released video, the United Aircraft Corporation showed off T-50-9 carrying weapons in its internal bays during rehearsals for Dubai Airshow.
Russia’s UAC (United Aircraft Corporation) has released new images of the T-50-9 – the eighth prototype of the Su-57 stealth fighter – showing the aircraft in flight with its weapons bays open. The photos, shared via UAC’s official Telegram channel as part of a promotional album ahead of the Dubai Airshow (Nov. 17–21), mark the first time that official imagery of the Su-57’s internal weapons bays has been made public since its first flight over 15 years ago, albeit on a prototype airframe.
Su-57 ‘509’ is practicing for Dubai airshow next week. It will fly with open weapons bays, carrying anti-radiation Kh-58UShK and close-in air combat R-74M2 missiles. Su-57 will show open bays for the first time ever, after 15 years of participation in air shows.
Photo UAC pic.twitter.com/NKNhrE5jof— Piotr Butowski (@piotr_butowski) November 9, 2025
In the released photos and accompanying video, the T-50 is shown carrying a pair of R-74M2 short-range air-to-air missiles in its side weapon bays, along with two anti-radiation missiles, the Kh-58UShK, housed in its front main bays.
The demonstration comes just under a month after leaked images surfaced on Oct. 18 showing the Su-57’s aft main weapons bay open for the first time. However, the newly released footage features that same bay kept closed, instead offering a glimpse into the forward weapons bay. The first clear photos of the type’s side weapons bay were also seen just under a year ago at Airshow China, when the starboard weapons bay on T-50-7 was first photographed in detail. However, this is the first time that images of the jet’s weapons bays have been seen with ordnance inside.
First ever clear photo of Su-57’s mysterious side weapon bay‼️
photo by 万全@wanquanphoto pic.twitter.com/L1nNy8U2Rm
— Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) November 5, 2024
The Su-57’s weapons bays
The Su-57 features four weapons bays, including two main weapons bays arranged in a tandem manner between the engines, and two smaller, canoe-shaped side weapons bays at the root of the wings. The Felon is also able to carry weapons on its six external stores, much like that of the ‘beast mode’ configuration of the F-35 and J-20.
The side weapons bays use VPU-50 launch rails, and are designed specifically to carry the R-74M2 IR-guided (InfraRed) AAMs (Air to Air Missiles), developed from the proven R-73 platform. In fact, the R-73 evolved in the R-74, which was further developed as R-74M and then adapted as R-74M2 for the Su-57 with smaller fins to fit inside the weapon bays.
On the other hand, the larger bays have dimensions of approximately 4.4m by 0.9m, and are compatible with two types of ejector racks made by Vympel: the UVKL-50L for missiles, and UVKU-50U for heavier ordnance. The centerline bays can carry a wider range of ordnance, including longer-ranged AAMs like the R-77M, as well as air-to-ground weapons like the Kh-69 and the Kh-58.
A standard air-to-air loadout features two R-74M2s – one in each side weapons bay – and four R-77Ms – two each in the centerline bays. More AAMs would be loaded externally if stealth is not a requirement for the mission.
T-50-9
The Su-57’s participation in the upcoming Dubai Airshow will mark the type’s third international appearance, following Airshow China 2024 and Aero India 2025. However, unlike those earlier events, where Russia showcased the T-50-4 prototype, the aircraft bound for Dubai will be T-50-9, the same airframe featured in the newly released images.
T-50-9 new HUD and T-50-9 old HUD pic.twitter.com/SsrRdZC6rl
— George N. (@GeorgeN28581) November 9, 2025
T-50-9, also known by its bort number ‘059 Blue’, was specifically repainted by UAC to resemble a more operational scheme specifically for its appearance at Dubai. The airframe also features the full mission suite integrated on serial Su-57s, including the 101KS ‘Atoll’ electro-optical system, and has the capability to fire live missiles, making it one of the most production-representative prototype airframes.
