Twin-Seat Sukhoi Su-57D Performs First Flight

Aviation Week Staff May 20, 2026

The twin-seat version of the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet performed its first flight on May 19, reported the aircraft’s manufacturer, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Sukhoi’s chief test pilot Sergey Bogdan confirmed that during the 40-minute flight the aircraft’s stability and handling fully matched the single-seat aircraft.

The new Su-57D variant—the D stands for twin-seat in Russian—was derived from the fifth T-50-5 single-seat prototype and preserved its tail number 055. T-50-5 first flew in 2013 and was refurbished two years later after being seriously damaged during an emergency landing due to an engine fire.

According to the UAC statement, the twin-seat version is being developed for both pilot training purposes and as a flying command post for both crewed and uncrewed air wings.

However, these are not the only reasons for the development. According to UAC CEO Vadim Badekha, the twin-seat version will contribute to Su-57’s success in export markets.

Russian Su-57D demonstrates two-seat capabilities aloft. Credit: UAC

“The Su-57D is likely being developed with an eye on India, a country to which Russia has been offering its fifth-generation fighter for many years,” said Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow-based defense think-tank Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. He noted that in the early 2000s, Russia developed for the Indian market the two-seat 4++ generation Su-30MKI combat jet, which went on to become a successful export.

A source from the Russian aerospace industry told Aviation Week the first international debut for Su-57D could be at the Aero India air show that will take place in February 2027.

Since 2007, Sukhoi has also been working with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft—also known as Prospective Multirole Fighter—program. The draft design of the future aircraft was completed in 2013. It was expected to be based on Su-57 with the requirements of the Indian military. However, India withdrew from the program in 2018 to focus on the HAL advanced medium combat aircraft project.

The single-seat Su-57 went into the skies in 2010. The Russian Air Force received the first serial fighters within ten years and currently has 76 jets on order. In 2025, UAC reported first export deliveries, presumably, to Algeria.

The Russian manufacturer is now working on the upgrades. The prototype with Izdeliye 177 engines flew in December 2025. In February, UAC reported the delivery of the first batch of improved fighters to the Russian military. The aircraft received new onboard systems and weapons.