Putin’s Su-57 gets a drone commander: Is Russia building a new air-war nightmare for Ukraine?

Russia’s Sukhoi design bureau has revealed new details about its two-seat Su-57 variant, often referred to as the Su-57D, highlighting a potential role beyond pilot training. The aircraft is reportedly being developed as an airborne command platform capable of coordinating unmanned combat aircraft while conducting its own missions. A second crew member could manage multiple AI-enabled UAVs or drone swarms, allowing the pilot to focus on flying, threats and weapons. The concept is expected to involve Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik heavy combat drone and reflects a growing global push toward manned-unmanned teaming. China’s J-20S has also been linked to similar concepts.