According to an informed TASS source in the military-industrial complex, a two-seat version of the Su-57 will be used to control the Hunter UAV. A similar concept is now being implemented in the West.
Recently it became known that a two-seat fighter based on the Su-57 may appear in the future. A TASS source in the military-industrial complex told about the purpose of the machine.
"To control the latest drones "Hunter " will create a two-seat command version of the Su-57. It is assumed that the fighter, the development of which is already underway, will lead about four "Hunters", " the agency interlocutor said.
Earlier it was reported that the Russian fifth-generation fighter will be able to control drones. It was about several UAVs "Hunter".
And recently there was information about the application Su-57 as an "air carrier". The fighter will have to carry small UAVs on internal holders, which, among other things, will be able to solve strike tasks.
Su-57
Image source: TASS
The specific type of unmanned vehicles was not called at that time, but it is known that Russia is developing Lightning strike UAVs that can be launched from aircraft carriers. To control such devices, they want to use a promising shock UAV "Thunder".
The issues of combat interaction between manned and unmanned aircraft are actively being worked out in the West. The concept was called "unmanned slave". The most famous such project is Loyal Wingman.
The drone developed by Boeing has a length of 11 meters, a wingspan of 11.7 meters and a range of up to 3.7 thousand kilometers. The device made its first flight this year.
UAVs are created for the purpose of fire support. It is assumed that it will be able to function in a semi-autonomous mode. Loyal Wingman will follow the orders of the pilot and at the same time maneuver independently. In particular, it can be used as a jammer.
Loyal Wingman
Image source: Boeing
The Russian "Hunter", according to open sources, has a length of 14 meters with a wingspan of 19 meters. The flight range is 6000 kilometers.
"Hunter"
Image source: Russia 1
It is assumed that it will be armed with guided missiles and bombs, as well as unguided ammunition. The device will be able to carry weapons both inside and on external suspensions. UAVs can be adopted in the middle of the decade. To date, as far as we can judge, only one sample of the aircraft has been built: it is used for the test program.