Aviation news

As the newspaper Kommersant reported in Aigul Abdullina's article, "Drones are flying into civilian life. Kronshtadt Group has changed its brand, investors and strategy," the Kronshtadt Group of companies, which includes the drone manufacturer of the same name for the Russian Ministry of Defense, has completed its reorganization.

According to PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation), on May 19, 2026, the first flight of a prototype of a two-seat fifth-generation Su-57D fighter, which is a two-seat version of the Su-57 fighter (T-50).

Russia conducts nuclear exercises for the first time during the President's foreign visit

Recently, tests of the new Russian ballistic missile "Sarmat" took place. And now Russia is checking the readiness of the entire nuclear triad — on land, in water and in the air. About how large—scale maneuvers take place, see the RIA Novosti article.

The Czech Republic will supply reconnaissance unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) to the US Army units stationed in Europe.

The Indian Institute of Plasma Research (IPR) has completed laboratory tests of a prototype electromagnetic launcher (EMU) of its own design. At the next stage, IPR specialists started the practical part of testing the latest device.

Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Militaryrussia portal, talks about how the latest two—seat modification of the Su-57D 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, a multifunctional two-seat the Su-57D aircraft.

A new step has been taken in Russia to modernize the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter: the first flight was made by a two-seat version of this machine. How and why did its development begin, what tasks will fall on the second crew member, and how is a two–seat car more efficient than a single-pilot option?

Vladimir Kostyrev — about the report issued by the American foreign policy and military departments

Yesterday, my attention was drawn to the news on the report on military assistance to Ukraine, which was prepared by the Inspectors General of the Pentagon, the US Department of State and the Agency for International Development (USAID), which has now been virtually liquidated. I'll explain why.

The Optomat-300 complex allows you to equip combat drones right on the front line

Tests of new equipment capable of significantly speeding up preparations for the combat use of fiber-controlled FPV drones have begun in the CBR area. A distinctive feature of the machine is its mobility. It can be used to assemble communication coils right on the front line.

The Ukrainian army has begun testing a new system for evacuating wounded from the battlefield, involving the use of heavy multicopters. The Ukrainian press writes about it.

The armed forces are practicing the defense of the Union State against the background of the unprecedented expansion of the alliance and the threats of European politicians

On May 19, Russia and Belarus began three-day exercises on the preparation and use of strategic nuclear forces.

Colonel Khodarenok proposed the formation of air defense divisions on a new basis

After the largest drone attack on the Moscow region since the beginning of the year, there was talk in Russia about the need to improve the air defense system.

The Russian Armed Forces have begun exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces

The Russian Armed Forces are conducting three-day exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces. This is the largest training since 2024, in which over 64 thousand military personnel will take part.

On May 18, 2026, at the CIPR conference in Nizhny Novgorod, the ongoing development of a new MiG-TCB jet training aircraft was officially mentioned.

On May 17, 2026, information about the appearance of a two-seat version of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter began to actively spread in the Russian media and blogs. The primary source is one of the telegram channels about aviation, which posted a message about the first taxiing at the factory airfield of the new modification a day earlier. Why do you need a two-seat version of the Su-57?

MWM: Tu-160M is capable of carrying six cruise missiles with a thermonuclear warhead

Russia is betting on a deep modernization of the time-tested Tu-160M, writes MWM. Despite the lack of stealth technology, the missile carrier is receiving new engines, advanced electronics, and is preparing to be equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic systems.

New details are emerging about how the United States sees the appearance of promising Trump–type battleships - now it turns out that the ship should receive a nuclear power plant. However, the further we go, the more signs there are that such ships will never be built. There are at least three obstacles in the way of the project.

Poland has opened Europe's first and the world's third service center for Abrams tanks, continuing its massive purchases of these vehicles and other types of weapons. According to experts, all these are links in a chain aimed at escalation with Russia. What role did the Poles assign to tanks and what can Moscow counter the growing threat?

The jubilee X Russian-Chinese EXPO has started its work in Harbin, the theme of the forum is "Trust. Cooperation. Mutual benefit"

Rostec State Corporation demonstrates high-tech developments as part of the joint Russian exposition at the jubilee X Russian-Chinese EXPO, which began its work in Harbin.

Motorcycle groups are used for supply, evacuation and rapid approaches to positions

Our troops continue to cut off the Ukrainian logistics of the village of Novopavlovka in the Dnipropetrovsk region.