Russia plans to control drones from two-seater Su-57D fighter jet
Russia has outlined the tasks for which it plans to use the two-seater variant of the Su-57D fighter jet, a prototype of which is currently undergoing flight tests.
Source: Russian state corporation Rostec
Details: Russia claims that the aircraft made its first flight in May 2026.
Rostec has identified two main tasks for the new modification. The first involves using the aircraft for training to practise special flight modes which, the company claims, cannot be replicated on ground-based simulators.
The second task involves testing technologies that Russia classifies as sixth-generation. The developers intend the second cockpit to enable the Su-57D to serve as an airborne control station for unmanned systems.
Mikhail Strelets, Director of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, said this capability is important for controlling the S-70 Okhotnik drone, as well as drone swarms and groups, when the main pilot's attention is focused on carrying out the primary combat mission.
In addition, representatives of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation said that the two-seater Su-57D is planned to be used to test so-called combat artificial intelligence technologies that the corporation's specialists are currently developing.
However, Russia has not provided any test results confirming the Su-57D's claimed capabilities for controlling drones or employing artificial intelligence technologies.
According to Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), the S-70 Okhotnik ("Hunter") is a Russian reconnaissance and strike UAV. Its stated maximum take-off weight is 25 tonnes, its range is 6,000 km, and its maximum speed is 1,400 km/h.
Background: Previously, DIU revealed details of a new Russian cruise missile developed for the Su-57 fighter jet.
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