Russian SU-57 Jet Crashes During Test Flight. Government Wants 74 More

The Russian military suffered a setback as one of its most advanced fighter aircraft crashed during a training accident, according to Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The accident involving the SU-57 "Felon" fighter is the first reported accident for the aircraft since production began in 2010. The Russian Defense Ministry has indicated that it will investigate the crash.

Here is what we know: The plane crashed Thursday after suffering a failure of the steering system, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. The crash occurred in the Khabarovsk Region, and the pilot was able to eject safely, but the plane was a total loss. There were no injuries on the ground, according to the report which cited military sources.

The SU-57 was developed in response to the U.S. military's F-22 "Raptor" fighter and has been in production for nine years. The aircraft that crashed was the first of the mass-produced models. The Russian government only has 11 of the planes left. It was to be handed over to the Russian military after the test flight.

The company had originally intended to produce about 150 aircraft but production was slowed down for want of enough buyers. The Russian government has placed a new order for 74 aircraft.

The SU-57 has seen action in Syria as the Russian military used the aircraft sparingly for combat trials with moderate success. A source with the U.S. Military familiar with the aircraft told International Business Times that despite being touted as a rival for the F-22, there is no comparison between the two aircraft. That does not mean that it should be overlooked, though. It is a strong, capable plane, but their technologies can't compare.