Russia has begun flight testing of the Su-57D, the two-seat version of the fifth-generation Su-57 multirole fighter jet, marking an important milestone for the United Aircraft Corporation’s aviation program.
The aircraft carried out its maiden flight under the command of Sergei Bogdan, chief pilot of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, test pilot, and Hero of Russia. According to the United Aircraft Corporation, which is part of Rostec, the flight proceeded normally and followed the planned parameters for the test mission.
The new model, designated Su-57D, is a two-seat version of the Russian fifth-generation fighter jet. The goal is to expand the platform’s functionality, allowing it to be used both for combat training missions and for command-and-control operations.
According to Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government, the aircraft was proactively developed by Russian aerospace engineers and, in addition to combat capabilities, will also serve as a training and combat-control aircraft.
+ Click here to watch the Su-57D video
United Aircraft Corporation also highlighted that the two-seat version can be used to coordinate combat operations involving both manned and unmanned aircraft, creating an integrated information and control environment. Rostec stated that this configuration opens possibilities for combined operations with drones and other aerial platforms.
UAC CEO Vadim Badeha stated that the company continues working to improve and expand the capabilities of the fifth-generation aviation complex. According to him, the two-seat version could also strengthen the Su-57’s performance in international markets.
The Su-57 was designed to perform a wide variety of missions, including operations against air, ground, and naval targets. The manufacturer describes the aircraft as capable of operating in different weather conditions, day or night, including in complex electronic warfare environments.
The released images also attracted attention due to details visible on the prototype’s fuselage. It is possible to observe drawings that appear to depict the Su-57D itself, the S-70 Okhotnik combat drone, the lightweight fighter Su-75 Checkmate, and two still-unidentified munitions. One resembles a glide bomb, while the other appears similar to an aeroballistic or anti-radiation missile, although there has been no official confirmation regarding these weapons.
The Su-57D’s flight debut reinforces Russia’s strategy of expanding the Su-57 family beyond its original single-seat configuration. The new version suggests an effort to transform the fighter into a more versatile platform, with training, combat coordination, and unmanned systems integration capabilities.
+ Russia holds major nuclear exercise with Iskander-M missiles and Belarus participation
Source and video: United Aircraft Corporation / Rostec. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
