Can become a two-seater: Russia has patented a new Su-57 fighter jet
The Russian military-industrial complex has patented a two-seat Su-57 fighter.
The patent states that the multifunctional two-seater low-observable aircraft was patented by the United Aircraft Corporation.
The invention was classified as a multifunctional two-seat low-observable tactical aircraft.
It is designed to detect and engage air, surface and ground targets at supersonic and subsonic flight speeds over a wide range of altitudes.
It also acts as an air command post for mixed groups of aircraft.
It is possible that the patent concerns a new fighter jet for the Indian Air Force.
To this day, the two-seat Su-57 modification has been considered exclusively within the framework of the Russian-Indian program to develop the FGFA advanced fighter.
However, in 2018, it was reported that India suspended its participation in a joint program with Russia to develop a promising fighter based on the Russian PAK FA project (Su-57).
In October 2019, the Indian Air Force Chief of Staff said that the country would not import stealth fighters such as the Su-57 and would instead focus on local development.
The Indian side believes that the combat avionics, radars, and sensors developed by Russia do not meet the standards of a fifth-generation combat aircraft.
An intergovernmental agreement on the joint development of a fifth-generation fighter was signed on October 17, 2007. In turn, the Russian Air Force Command has never expressed a desire for a two-seat version of the Su-57 fighter.