Russia flies two-seat Su-57D prototype as potential C2 platform for drone teaming

Russia’s UAC reports the first flight of a two-seat Su-57D prototype, a notable variant intended not just for training but potentially as a command-and-control platform. The added crew station is framed as enabling manned-unmanned teaming (e.g., coordinating UCAVs like S-70 Okhotnik) and complex missions such as EW/strike coordination, indicating a push toward crewed-uncrewed operations from a stealth fighter.