Click to see full-size image. (FighterBomber/Telegram)
The twin-seat variant of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet is currently undergoing taxi trials, the Russian Telegram channel FighterBomber revealed on May 16.
“Today, as part of the tests, the new two-seater modification of the Su-57 performed a rollover. We’ll see if it will be called Su-57D or Su-57UB. Alternatively, it could be called Su-57ED,” the channel said in a post.
The channel didn’t provide further details, but it published a day later what it said was the actual photo of the fifth-generation fighter jet during the test.
No identification markings can be seen on the fighter jet, whose background was completely blurred. The jet reportedly featured the bort number “055 Blue.” This is the same number used by the fifth flying prototype T-50-5, which was severely damaged by an engine fire in 2014 and rebuilt as T-50-5R. This may mean that the twin seater Su-57 was obtained by modifying an existing airframe.
The cockpit is similar in design to the Su-30, although the height difference between the two seats is bigger on the Su-57. The second seat would allow the presence on the aircraft of either an instructor pilot or a weapon systems officer.
Another notable difference was the absence of many of the sensors found on production Su-57, although this is normal for a prototype.
A patent for a “multifunctional two-seat low-observable tactical aircraft,” very similar in design to the Su-57, was filed with Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property in 2023.
“A multifunctional two-seat low-observable aircraft with an integral aerodynamic configuration comprises a set of on-board equipment, a fuselage with an extension, wing consoles with high-lift devices on the leading and trailing edges, including flaperons, ailerons and rotating wing leading edges, consoles of an all-moving horizontal and twin-fin vertical tail, mounted on the side tail booms of the fuselage, a two-seat cockpit with a canopy, a fairing and a radar antenna fairing, located in the forward section of the fuselage, a power plant with two engines spaced horizontally and equipped with air intakes, located in engine nacelles, the axes of which are oriented at an acute angle to the plane of symmetry of the aircraft in the direction of flight. The aircraft is characterized by the fact that the wing consoles are smoothly connected to the fuselage, the fuselage extension is located above the engine air intakes and includes controlled rotating parts, the aircraft engines contain a jet nozzle with a deflectable thrust vector and a thrust reverser,” the patent reads.
“The onboard equipment is designed to enable information interaction between different types of aircraft in the group, including the reception and transmission of data via high-speed communication channels and group communication, including via satellite communication channels, as well as the analysis of information received from its own systems and external sources with the subsequent issuance of recommendations to the crew and / or commands to the group of aircraft,” it continues.
“Currently, the following multirole two-seat tactical aircraft are known: Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000, Saab JAS-39NG Grippen, Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, McDonnell-Douglas F-15D, Cy-30MK family of aircraft, MiG-35. Of the above-mentioned analogues, the closest are the aircraft of the Su-30MK family,” it notes.
The Su-57 is manufactured by the United Aircraft Corporation’s (UAC) at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in Khabarovsk Krai in Russia’s far east.
The fighter jet is capable of aerial combat as well as ground and maritime strike. It incorporates stealth, supermaneuverability, supercruise, integrated avionics and large payload capacity.
The jet’s avionics are built around two systems: the Sh-121 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system, MIRES, which integrates multiple active electronically scanned array radars, with a range of up to 400 kilometers, and electronic warfare means; as well as the 101KS “Atoll” electro-optical system, which incorporates targeting, early warning and jamming capabilities.
In addition, the fighter can carry a variety of advanced long-range weapons, including the R-37M air-to-air missile, the Kh-69 land-attack cruise missile, the Kh-58UShK anti-radiation missile and the Kh-35U anti-ship cruise missile.
File image.
A twin-seat variant of the fighter jet will certainly boost the capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which is already operating dozens of Su-57. Just last year, at least 24 were reportedly delivered by UAC. The delivery of more fighter jets was reported earlier this year.
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