Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation Unveils Patented Two-Seater Stealth Tactical Fighter Jet

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking addition to its fleet: a new two-seater stealth tactical fighter jet.

This innovative aircraft, developed based on the Su-30MK fighter jet, boasts fifth-generation features that promise to revolutionize modern aerial warfare.

Patented with advanced technology, could this aircraft redefine combat aviation?

This article delves into the technological innovations propelling this fighter to the forefront of modern aerial warfare, examining its features, capabilities, and potential impact on defense strategies.

New Patented Russian Stealth Fighter: Development and Features

Derived from the Su-30MK fighter, a two-seat supermaneuverable aircraft renowned for its multirole capabilities, this new stealth tactical fighter embodies the pinnacle of aviation advancement in Russia’s current arsenal.

Incorporating fifth-generation attributes, its most notable features include a significantly reduced radar cross-section, ensuring a diminished visibility level on the radar.

Moreover, the jet also achieves “super maneuverability,” just like the Su-30MK, enhancing its agility and responsiveness in various flight regimes—both supersonic and subsonic. This enhancement amplifies the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics, providing unparalleled performance in combat situations.

The patent filed by UAC describes the aircraft’s capability to expand its functionality through advanced info-communication interaction, amplifying its operations versatility.

Key Characteristics of the Two-seat Seal Aircraft

The key characteristics of this aircraft, as described in the patent document, include various components such as onboard equipment, a fuselage with an overflow, wing consoles with leading and trailing edge mechanization (flaperons, ailerons, and rotating wing tips), all-moving horizontal and vertical tail consoles, a two-seat cockpit with a canopy, a garrot, and a locator antenna radome.

Illustrations depicting the newly designed two-seat stealth fighter as presented in the patent documentation.

Accordingly, the intended benefits of this aircraft design encompass reducing radar visibility, enhancing maneuverability and aerodynamic characteristics, expanding info-communication interaction capabilities (even without satellite or long-distance shortwave communications), broadening the range of weapons, increasing flight range, and extending altitude and flight speed capabilities.

“The technical result of the claimed invention is to reduce the level of visibility of the aircraft in the radar range [radar signature or radar cross-section], increase the maneuverability of the aircraft up to super-maneuverability, increase the level of aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft at supersonic and subsonic flight speeds, expand the functionality of the aircraft in terms of info-communication interaction,” the patent document read.

Comparison with Existing Models

The roots of this innovative jet trace back to the Su-30MK, the export version of the Su-30M.

This multirole fighter has already made its mark in a dozen air forces globally, including those of India and China, attesting to its robust performance and adaptability.

However, the newly patented aircraft transcends its predecessors, aligning closely with the advanced capabilities of the Su-57 two-seater version.

Notably, the Su-57 design is reportedly engineered to control up to four Okhotnik combat drones simultaneously, an aspect that the new aircraft seems to emulate.

Comparisons are also drawn with Western two-seat fighters like the F-15D and F/A-18F, highlighting duplicate front and rear cockpits but omitting missionized cockpit versions like the F-15E or F/A-18D, where the rear occupant lacks aircraft control.

Specialized Capabilities and Missions

Beyond conventional combat capabilities, this stealth fighter is poised to redefine the aircraft’s role in modern warfare.

Its application extends to airborne command post missions, catering to network-centric operations for a mixed group of aircraft. The patent outlines plans for the rear cockpit to serve as an “air command post,” enabling manned and unmanned aircraft control.

This innovative integration positions the aircraft at the forefront of network-centric warfare, enabling unprecedented coordination and strategic control in diverse operational scenarios.

Resemblance to Su-57 and Innovative Design Aspects

Drawing parallels to the Su-57, the design philosophy behind the two-seater version of the Su-57 seems to resonate with the newly patented aircraft.

Both models exhibit similarities in their design elements, hinting at a shared vision of enhancing combat capabilities and expanding the control of unmanned assets.

An intriguing aspect of this development lies in the design modifications aiming to distribute responsibilities within the cockpit.

While earlier-generation fighters delegated weapon and radio operations to the rear co-pilot, the advancement into fifth-generation fighters saw the computer taking charge of weapon systems operations.

This shift negates the need for a co-pilot, suggesting a heightened reliance on automation and advanced avionics systems for optimal performance.

“The fact that the cockpit is equipped with everything necessary to transfer control from one pilot to another suggests that the new aircraft is also being designed as a combat trainer,” military expert Dmitry Kornev highlighted, cited by Izvestia.

This dual functionality emphasizes the aircraft’s adaptability across various operational domains.

Expert Analysis and Insights

Experts underscore the multifaceted potential of this new aircraft, heralding its strategic significance in combat scenarios.

Its ability to seamlessly integrate manned and unmanned aircraft, combined with its super maneuverability and stealth characteristics, has the potential to redefine aerial warfare.

Moreover, the patent’s interpretation has sparked varied viewpoints. Some speculate it aims to generate interest in potential exports, given the Su-30’s foreign buyer appeal.

It also touches on the history of the two-seat Su-57 initially planned in a joint Indian-Russia development program, from which India withdrew due to avionics capability issues.

Speculations also abound regarding Russia’s focus on modernizing existing Su-30s over the Su-57. The patent’s comparison to the Su-30MK might reflect this approach.

Notably, the patent outlines the potential role of the rear cockpit as an air command post, addressing the historical tradition of assigning specific roles to rear pilots in earlier two-seater fighters.

Regarding the geopolitical context, there’s no visual confirmation of Russia using Su-57s in Ukraine, although sources speculate their deployment from Russian airspace.

Sanctions imposed on Russia post its invasion of Ukraine have impacted its aerospace industry and military needs, raising skepticism about the viability of the ambitious two-seat Su-57 project amidst existing challenges.

Conclusion

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation’s unveiling of the patented two-seater stealth tactical fighter jet marks a significant leap in aviation technology.

With its fifth-generation features, expanded functionality, and adaptability in network-centric operations, this aircraft stands as a testament to the continual evolution of combat aviation.

Its implications on modern warfare and defense strategies are poised to reshape the future of aerial dominance, emphasizing Russia’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation in the military sector.

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