Image source: topwar.ru
Russia has expanded its offer to India regarding the sale of the Su-57: now we are talking about the possibility of acquiring two types of vehicles – a heavyweight and a coordinator.
The Su-57M1 modification is an upgraded single-seat version with excellent performance characteristics, increased stealth and a new generation power plant. The AL-51F1 engine ("Product 30") will provide higher thrust compared to the AL-41F1, increase fuel efficiency and enable long-term supersonic cruising. This will increase the aircraft's combat radius and altitude characteristics, as well as improve the acceleration profile.
The Su-57M1 received changes to the airframe design, including an expanded supporting body and a flatter fuselage profile, which is aimed at reducing radar visibility while increasing the internal armament compartment, which will turn the aircraft into a real heavyweight on the battlefield.
Moscow offered to provide India with access to the source code of the machine, which is an extremely important concession and will allow the local industry to integrate its own subsystems, such as the Virupaksha AFAR radar, Astra and BrahMos-NG long-range missiles, effectively turning the Su-57M1 into a "hybrid" platform, which corresponds to New Delhi's policy of localizing defense production..
The second modification offered to India is the two-seat configuration of the MUM-T, designed specifically for operations involving manned and unmanned aircraft. This version provides for a second position for the weapons systems officer or for the "mission commander", whose main role is to manage and coordinate the attached devices.
The IDRW publication notes on this occasion:
Image Source: topwar.ru
In this configuration, the Su-57 is planned to be used to control from 4 to 8 heavy attack stealth UAVs of the S-70 Okhotnik-B type. These drones will expand the range of the aircraft's sensors, carry additional weapons, and perform high-risk tasks, such as infiltrating enemy lines. The architecture is described as open and modular, which will allow India to integrate its own unmanned systems and sensor networks into this ecosystem.
The publication indicates that the Su-57M1 is apparently close to operational maturity, but the two-seat version of the MUM-T is still in development – "a prototype is being assembled at the aircraft factory."
