The Russian Sukhoi Design Bureau has developed a new two-seat version of the Su-57 fighter jet.
Russian military blogger Ilya Tumanov (Fighterbomber) released the image.
The published image shows an aircraft with an enlarged cockpit section and a longer canopy. The new version is likely designated Su-57D.
The concept of a two-seat Su-57 was previously developed under the joint Russian-Indian FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) program in the 2010s.
At the time, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement on joint development and production of a fifth-generation fighter jet.
Under the cooperation framework, the Indian side was responsible for developing the onboard computer, navigation system, cockpit displays, and self-defense suite. The remainder of the work was to be performed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau.
HAL’s share in the project was expected to be at least 25%, with total program costs estimated at $8-10 billion. The Indian version was also intended for future export.
As of October 2017, India formally remained part of the program, but the final decision on further participation was to be made by the government, according to HAL.
In April 2018, India officially withdrew from the FGFA project. The Indian military concluded that the Russian fighter jet did not meet stated stealth requirements.
Additional concerns related to avionics, radar, and sensor systems, which the Indian side said did not meet fifth-generation standards.
The Su-57D project may be based on developments from the FGFA program.
At the same time, renewed work on a two-seat version may be linked to growing Indian interest in the Su-57, following India’s decision not to proceed with the US F-35.
