Russia reveals twin-seat Su-57D combat aircraft

The previously unknown twin-seat Su-57D was revealed by Russia as it made its maiden flight on 19 May 2026. (UAC)

Russia has revealed a twin-seat variant of the Sukhoi Su-57 ‘Felon' combat aircraft, with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announcing its maiden flight on 19 May 2026.

Designated the Su-57D ‘Felon-X' (no letter suffix to the NATO reporting name has yet been assigned), the twin-seater bearing the bort number 055 was flown for the first time by Sukhoi Design Bureau chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan.

“The first flight of the prototype two-seat ‘fifth-generation' Su-57 fighter has taken place,” UAC, a part of the Rostec State Corporation, said.

Speaking to mark the event, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov noted that, further to its baseline combat capabilities, the Su-57D has been designed to function as an operational trainer and as a command and control platform. UAC CEO Vadim Badekha added that he expects the new variant of the Su-57 to receive “significant” export orders.

Prior to this disclosure, Russia was not known to be building a twin-seat version of the Su-57. It had, however, reportedly touted the concept to India for its Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA)/Perspective Multi-Role Fighter (PMF) requirement in the mid-2010s.

For more, please see Aero India 2025: Russia offers Su-57 to India