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Su-57 Two-Seater to Develop Combat AI with Drone Swarms

August 16, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Two-seat Su-57 to develop combat AI with drone swarms.
Second operator cockpit enables sixth-generation technologies.
Aircraft to control drones like S-70 Okhotnik.
One pilot focuses on piloting, the other on drone coordination.

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Strategic Implications

The development of combat AI with drone swarms on the two-seat Su-57 may indicate a significant shift in Russian military aviation strategy. This integration could suggest a focus on autonomous systems and network-centric warfare, which may enhance the Su-57's capabilities and potentially set a precedent for future fighter aircraft development.

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What Happened

Russian Fighter to Integrate Sixth-Generation Technologies

The Sukhoi Design Bureau has confirmed that the two-seat version of the Su-57 fighter will be used to develop combat artificial intelligence and control drone swarms. The second operator cockpit will enable the implementation of sixth-generation technologies, including the control of highly intelligent systems like the S-70 Okhotnik UAV. According to the bureau’s director, Mikhail Strelets, this is a key task for the two-seater, which will transform the aircraft into a command center for drones. This development was reported by an unknown source.

Source | Originally Published: August 15, 2026

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