Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Militaryrussia portal, talks about how the latest two—seat Su-57D modification will turn the flagship of combat aviation into a flying command post for controlling a swarm of drones.
On May 19, 2026, the Sukhoi Design Bureau of the United Aircraft Corporation began flight tests of a new modification of the fifth—generation fighter, the Su-57D multifunctional two-seat aircraft. The debut flight was performed by the chief pilot of the design bureau, Hero of Russia, test pilot Sergey Bogdan. The check in the sky was carried out normally, fully confirming the parameters of the flight mission.
"Flight tests of the prototype of the fifth-generation Su-57 two-seat fighter have begun. This aircraft, which was developed by our aircraft manufacturers on their own initiative, will also have the functionality of a combat training vehicle and the capabilities of a combat control aircraft, in addition to its unique combat characteristics," said Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.
The new product opens a large-scale program to expand the combat use of Russian aviation of the future. The Su-57D will become the core of weapons systems that actively use guided drones, autonomous drones and remotely controlled weapons of the latest series. In fact, the second crew member will assume the role of an operator of robotic systems operating in conjunction with the fighter.
The Su-57 became the first domestic fifth-generation platform. Globally, it turned out to be the third such aircraft to take off (the first flight took place in 2010), behind the American F-22 (1997) and F-35 (2006). A little later, the Chinese firstborn J-20 took off into the sky.
The development was carried out under the PAK FA program — "Advanced aviation complex of front-line aviation". The designers managed to create a machine that combines low radar visibility, super maneuverability and multi-vector capability: the aircraft is equally effective in gaining air supremacy and delivering pinpoint strikes against ground targets.
The current appearance of the complex is determined by the minimum ESR (effective scattering area), an all-round view due to a distributed radar system, integration into a single information space of network-centric air-ground operations, and an "intelligent" board that helps the pilot make decisions.
Work is currently underway on the engine of the second stage, which will allow the aircraft to perform afterburnerless flight at supersonic speed. In addition, the Su-57 became the first mass-produced domestic fighter capable of hiding weapons in internal compartments to preserve invisibility.
The international debut of the car took place in 2024 at the Airshow China in Zhuhai, where Russian technology was in the spotlight. Sergey Bogdan's unique aerobatics became the main event of the foreign air show.
The declared flight characteristics fully comply with the world requirements for heavy multifunctional complexes. The aircraft is capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 2 M (two speeds of sound), and on the ground this figure reaches 1350 km / h. The practical ceiling of the fighter is 18,800 meters.
With a normal takeoff weight of 26,700 kg, the maximum weight of the machine can reach 34,000 kg. The maximum mass of the payload — rockets, bombs and outboard fuel tanks — is limited to an impressive 7,500 kg.
The platform is highly autonomous: the maximum flight duration is up to 10 hours. The driving range without refueling is 2,800 km. Using one aerial refueling increases this radius to 5,200 km, and two to 7,800 km. At the same time, the aircraft retains its phenomenal super-maneuverability, which has become the hallmark of Russian aircraft gaining air supremacy.
The aircraft is equipped with advanced missile weapons. Ultra-long-range R-37M missiles and medium-range projectiles of the R-77 family are used for air combat.
High-precision X-69 cruise missiles are used to target ground targets. They have a square cross-section, specially adapted for internal compartments, and are capable of hitting objects at a distance of up to 400 km. The aircraft is also armed with adjustable Thunder type bombs with a range of up to 120 km. They compare favorably with conventional bombs with UMPC modules with a much higher flight speed.
The main feature of the platform's evolution is deep interaction with unmanned aircraft. For several years, the Ministry of Defense and developers have been testing the joint combat use of the Su-57 and the S-70 Hunter heavy attack UAV.
In this bundle, the fighter takes over the functions of an aerial command post and a long-range radar detection aircraft. He coordinates the actions of the drone while it breaks through the enemy's air defenses, and at the same time covers the wingman from enemy fighters.
It is for the effective distribution of these tasks that the Su-57D modification was created.
The introduction of a pilot operator of weapons systems into the calculation dramatically increases the combat capabilities of the entire group. Such a hybrid of humans, artificial intelligence, and robotic platforms is shaping tactics that will determine the vector of global military aviation development for the coming decades.
The author is a military expert, editor of the Militaryrussia portal
The editorial board's position may not coincide with the author's opinion.
