Who knows if this is real , in any case it seems two seater will be made

The construction of the third production line for the production of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters is being completed at the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Air & Space Forces Magazine reports.

According to sources, the new production line will specialize in the two-seat version of the Su-57

Patent for twin seat variant was filed in 2023
MyCollages-5-4.jpg
 
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Who knows if this is real , in any case it seems two seater will be made

The construction of the third production line for the production of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters is being completed at the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Air & Space Forces Magazine reports.

According to sources, the new production line will specialize in the two-seat version of the Su-57

Patent for twin seat variant was filed in 2023
View attachment 781462

Funnily enough I just chatted about this with a Russian friend. Given that this is called something like "airborne multipurpose battlefield control complex" (roughly paraphrased) it's extremely likely to be related to the control of and management of UCAVs on the battlefield. Having a dedicated operator on a 5th Gen may be very much necessary on the tactical level (fighter sized aircraft), while I assume the next generation of fighters could leverage AI and superior data management to make it possible for one person to manage a flock of drones.

However, I personally think this new variant will first see a prototype based on either one of the existing prototypes or a Su-57S. After that I expect them to be assembled alongside and be up to the Su-57M standard. So they'll come after the Su-57M, possibly named Su-57D, Su-57MD or Su-60.

Only alternative for that role would be Su-30, Su-34 or the teased Su-75D but the latter is arguably further away than a Su-57 based variant.
 
Or a combat trainer UB variant EmoBirb? That would be more likely than a Su-30, 34 variant, though I would not rule them out completely that would be something for the future.
 
Care to elaborate what "sources"? True "sources" or just the typical fan-boy chatter on certain social media channels?
Imo, rumors is always the more accurate descriptor.

Over the now couple years where I follow Russian military developments, everything should be treated as a rumor until something substantial like a mock up, prototype or contract emerges.

As a PLA watcher you probably know what I mean.
 
Or a combat trainer UB variant EmoBirb? That would be more likely than a Su-30, 34 variant, though I would not rule them out completely that would be something for the future.
Doubtful, there is no need for a trainer version. Pilots are trained on other aircraft and lastly fly the real deal. I definitely think it will be more along the lines of J-20S than a trainer, i.e the same abilities as the baseline aircraft (J-20A - J-20S / Su-57M - Su-57MD*) but with an additional operator on board for the task for drone coordination and other management duties.

I imagine the Su-30SM2 (SM3?) will one day adopt drone compatability as well, or perhaps the Su-34Ms currently used by Russia (I think they can actually launch and guide Lancets according to recent rumors). It's simply inherently easier to integrate that into an aircraft that already has two people on board. And for the VKS that is currently two tactical aircraft, Su-30 and Su-34. The Su-24 is near it's end and the current bombers have other uses. I imagine ELINT or AEW&C aircraft could be suitable platforms to expand that command and control network for UAVs.

*I'll just call it Su-57MD for simplicity.
 
Imo, rumors is always the more accurate descriptor.

Over the now couple years where I follow Russian military developments, everything should be treated as a rumor until something substantial like a mock up, prototype or contract emerges.

As a PLA watcher you probably know what I mean.

Indeed exactly I know what you mean ... the point is that these days everyone thinks they can write anything just because a brother's uncle's cleaning lady told a friend of his ex-wife's in-law this & that, especially since I, as "stupid foreigners," have no clue anyway. So the more vehemently something is presented as a source told be or "Brother, I know... listen; I tell you," the more certain some people seem to be of getting away with it. ;)
 
Given that this is called something like "airborne multipurpose battlefield control complex" (roughly paraphrased) it's extremely likely to be related to the control of and management of UCAVs on the battlefield.
Not necessarily, ISTR seeing references to Russia using the back-seater in earlier twin seaters to control flights of single seat aircraft.
 
Nice long article about on board systems. I encourage you to read the other ones. Posting full article due to concerns about possible future censorship or deletion.

Thx to LMFS @russiadefence for the find.

Translation using Google translate:
Features of the digital architecture of the Su-57 fighter (26.05.2025)

The emergence of fifth-generation fighters has set new requirements for the integration, automation and intellectualization of onboard systems. The Su-57 has become the first Russian combat aircraft where the information and control system (ICS) acts not just as a link, but as the core of the entire digital architecture.

IUS-57 ensures interaction between computing modules, sensors, actuators and communication facilities, and forms a single digital control environment. This allows the concept of an electronic second pilot to be implemented and increases the effectiveness of combat use of the fifth-generation fighter in modern warfare.
Architecture of IUS-57

The IUS-57 is built on the principle of integrated modular avionics. Sukhoi Design Bureau engineers abandoned separate computing units in favor of a single distributed onboard information network. The system's central computer is based on Russian multi-core processors, which ensure the processing of large volumes of data in real time. The exact number of computing modules and their characteristics are not disclosed, but it is known that the system implements redundancy of computing power and transmission channels, which significantly increases the fault tolerance of the IUS-57.

In the materials of the Ramenskoye Instrument-Making Design Bureau on the Baget-53-31M onboard digital computer (RPKB report “Development of 5th generation onboard computing systems”, p. 34), which is the basis of the IUS-57, it is indicated that the system uses a duplicated digital MIL-STD-1553B bus with an extended bandwidth of up to 1.2 Gbit/s in a modernized version. The GosNIIAS report at the Avionics-2022 conference mentions the use of fiber-optic communication channels (IEEE 1393B standard) with a bandwidth of up to 2 Gbit/s in the IUS-57 for transmitting data between sensors and computers. In an interview with the Sukhoi Design Bureau General Director and General Designer Mikhail Strelets for the Military-Industrial Courier publication in 2023, it was confirmed that the Su-57 uses a combined architecture: copper lines (MIL-STD-1553B) for controlling critical systems (duplication) and fiber optics for high-speed flows (radar, optical-electronic location system - OELS, exchange with UAVs).

The IUS-57 software is based on real-time algorithms, which is vital in air combat conditions. The system has implemented mechanisms for protection against cyber threats, including hardware and software integrity control, isolation of critical segments, and the ability to update functionality without interfering with the hardware. This approach ensures the flexibility and scalability of the complex, allowing the integration of new algorithms and modules as technologies develop.
Integration of sensor systems

The IUS-57 combines data from all of the Su-57's main sensor systems. These include the N036 Belka multifunctional radar, the 101KS-V OELS, and electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare systems. The Sh-121 radar of the Su-57 aircraft consists of five antennas. An X-band N036-01-1 AESA, two side-looking N036B and N036B-01 AESAs, also of the X-band, are located under the nose cone. Two more N036L and N36L-01 L-band AESAs are installed in the wing tips; they are designed to detect and identify friend or foe targets.

This design solution provides the pilot with all-round visibility, and some tactical features of the aircraft's use allow it to be hidden from ground-based Doppler radars. The site "Aviation of Russia" wrote about this in one of its publications:
The Belka station is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 60 targets and guiding weapons to 16 of them. At the same time, the X-band allows detecting both air and ground objects.

The 101KS-V optical-electronic system complements the radar, providing detection and tracking of targets in the infrared and visible ranges. The system is capable of detecting thermal traces of missiles and aircraft, and conducting passive surveillance of the situation. Electronic warfare and electronic reconnaissance systems provide detection and suppression of enemy electronic equipment, as well as protection of the aircraft itself from external interference. The Su-57 fighter jet uses modern multispectral data synthesis algorithms to improve the pilot's situational awareness. They provide for the integration of information coming from sensor devices, and neural network methods for its processing increase the reliability of target detection and identification. In conditions of intense interference, the system dynamically redistributes priorities between data sources, maintaining resistance to external influences and reducing the likelihood of false alarms, thereby increasing the accuracy of target designation.
Algorithms for information processing and decision support

Adaptive algorithms of artificial intelligence are responsible for the automation of a significant part of combat missions. IUS-57 is capable of automatically building routes to bypass dangerous zones, choosing optimal modes of using weapons, independently ranking threats by degree of danger, optimizing the operating modes of the radar station to reduce visibility, and distributing targets between aircraft in a group. The decision support system analyzes the tactical situation, evaluates the parameters of threats and offers the most effective response options.

If necessary, the system can take control of individual subsystems, freeing the pilot from routine operations. The high degree of automation allows the Su-57 to perform up to 90% of tasks without the pilot's participation. This level of automation reduces the load on him, increases the response speed and minimizes the influence of the human factor.
Functionality and operating modes

IUS-57 supports both single use and group interaction with other aircraft and drones. In single mode, the system provides full control over all onboard systems, automates control of weapons and defense systems, and provides all the information necessary for decision-making.

The main feature and difference of the IUS-57 compared to the control systems on previous generation aircraft, such as the Su-35S and Su-30SM, is the ability to integrate with unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, on October 25, 2017, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev signed order No. 2345-r on awarding a group of leading employees of the Sukhoi company with the Russian Government Prize in Science and Technology for 2017. Along with breakthrough projects in the field of nuclear energy, medicine and space, the country's leadership highly praised the innovative development of Russian aircraft designers - the information and control system of the Su-35S multifunctional fighter.

For integration with the next-generation aircraft, the Sukhoi Design Bureau created the heavy strike UAV S-70 Okhotnik, with interaction occurring according to the "leader-slave" scheme. The Su-57 is capable of controlling the UAV's actions, delegating individual tasks to it, and the system automatically distributes targets and resources between platforms. Such a link expands the tactical capabilities of the aviation group and allows for the implementation of new combat scenarios.

At the same time, the practice of operating modern information and control systems in real combat conditions shows that even with a high degree of automation and intellectualization, technical failures are possible. In October 2024, according to a number of specialized aviation resources, an incident occurred in the area of the city of Konstantinovka in the DPR, controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the Okhotnik UAV was hit by an R-74M missile fired from the weapons bay of a Su-57 fighter. Russian industry sources attribute this incident to an error in the exchange of tactical information or a failure in the friend-or-foe identification system. No official comments have been published on this matter by the Russian Defense Ministry. The incident is considered a manifestation of the "teething problems" of integrating new manned and unmanned platforms into a single information and control environment. Such situations demonstrate the need for further refinement of interaction algorithms, improvement of identification systems, and increased reliability of software when operating strike systems in difficult combat conditions.
Network-centric functions

Nizhny Novgorod NPP Polet of the Ruselectronics holding company has created an onboard communications system using integrated modular avionics technology (BKS IMA), which uses universal technical solutions, allowing the equipment to be installed on both military and civilian aircraft. The company produces the BKS-57 system for the Su-57. It ensures secure data exchange with other aircraft, ground control points, and elements of the Air Force automated control system. The system supports modern information transfer protocols, including secure digital channels and fiber-optic lines. This allows the Su-57 to integrate into a single network-centric infrastructure, ensuring the exchange of tactical information in real time.

IUS-57 is compatible with existing and future control systems of the Russian Air Force. To improve the efficiency of air group control and ensure prompt response to changing situations, the system supports dynamic updating of the tactical picture, automatic data synchronization between participants in the battle formation, and integration with ground command posts. In Rostec's annual report for 2022 "Promising Aviation Systems", in section 4.3.2, which talks about 5th generation onboard computing systems, it is indicated that the data processing delay in the IMA architecture does not exceed 50 ms for critical tasks.
Ergonomics and control interface

The Su-57 cockpit is designed to meet the requirements for rapid perception of information and minimizing the pilot's workload. He has two multifunctional liquid crystal displays with tactile feedback and a wide indicator on the windshield. Voice control of critical functions allows you not to be distracted from controlling the aircraft. The interface adapts to a specific combat mission, providing only the information that is needed at the moment to make a decision.

Mikhail Strelets emphasizes: "We view the aircraft as a platform that can effectively solve its problems for at least 50 years. Including the gradual introduction of next-generation technologies, essentially transforming the aircraft from generation 5 to 5 plus. This is the generation in which individual sixth-generation technologies are already being introduced."

All information is structured and displayed in a user-friendly form. The system supports integration with the pilot's personal protective equipment and life support systems, which improves ergonomics and reduces the risk of errors when working under stress.
Development Prospects

Further development of the IUS-57 is associated with the introduction of neural network algorithms, which will make the system even more adaptive and increase its independence. Work is underway to expand the functionality of the interfaces, including the use of augmented reality to display tactical information and control weapons.

Currently, the Sukhoi Design Bureau is working to improve the information display system. In addition to the cockpit displays, data from the onboard computer will be displayed on the visor of the flight helmet, which integrates an optical-electronic positioning system and a video information display system, the image is projected directly onto the protective shield. Such a helmet replaces several devices at once and is equipped with sensors that track the direction of the pilot's gaze. Depending on the position of the head, the shield displays the information that is needed at a particular moment, including the functions of selecting and capturing a target. The helmet-mounted target designation system is being developed specifically for the Su-57 and allows receiving data on the condition of the aircraft, the combat situation, speed, altitude and distance to the target.

The development of new software modules will allow the integration of additional sensor channels and increase the level of automation of group operations. The introduction of modern artificial intelligence technologies opens up opportunities for further reducing the workload on the pilot and increasing the effectiveness of the combat use of the Su-57. It is expected that in the future the system will be able to independently make decisions in routine and non-standard situations, minimizing the influence of the human factor.

Thus, the information and control system of the Russian fifth-generation fighter forms the basis for building an intelligent combat complex, integrating sensor, executive and communication systems into a single information environment. The architecture, built on the principles of modularity, redundancy and network centricity, ensures high reliability and scalability, and intelligent algorithms for data processing and decision support allow the Su-57 to effectively operate both individually and in a group, including interaction with drones. The Sukhoi Design Bureau believes that, in terms of the totality of its characteristics, the IUS-57 surpasses foreign analogues in terms of automation, integration and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, and this creates the prerequisites for the further development of new-generation aviation systems.

Andrey Velichko
for the website "Aviation of Russia"

 
^

Some corrections if I may ,tnx.

''In the materials of the Ramenskoye Instrument-Making Design Bureau on the Baget-53-31M onboard digital computer (RPKB report “Development of 5th generation onboard computing systems”, p. 34), which is the basis of the IUS-57,''

It is in fact IMA-BK as the basis of the IUS-57 ,not the Baget-53-31M.

БЦВМ ИМА БК информационно-управляющей системы самолета Су-57 (Т-50)​



''The Sh-121 radar of the Su-57 aircraft consists of five antennas. An X-band N036-01-1 AESA, two side-looking N036B and N036B-01 AESAs, also of the X-band, are located under the nose cone. Two more N036L and N36L-01 L-band AESAs are installed in the wing tips; they are designed to detect and identify friend or foe targets.''

Sh-121 is in fact integrated search/radar and jamming/interference complex known as MIRES. Radar system is known as N036 Byelka and as we know possess 8/eight AESA radars ( four centimetric X-band and four decimetric L-band).

''The radar is a part of Sh121 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system (MIRES) onboard the Su-57.''
 
This site reports that Su-57 uses IMA BK, and Baget was intended initially, but was deemed insufficient due to increased computing power demands:

The beginning of the use of modern on-board digital computers on Su-27 fighters and export modifications of the Su-30 (MKI, MKM, MKA, MK2) is associated with the models BTsVM-486-2K, BTsVM-486-1M and BTsVM-900, developed in the late 1990s. These machines are built on the basis of 32-bit Intel i486DX4-90 processors with a clock frequency of 90 MHz. Their functioning is provided by the RelMK32 real-time operating system (RTOS), programmed in C languages

The next stage of development is represented by the Baget series digital computers (BAGET-53-31, BAGET-53-31M, BAGET-53-31M series 1), which are part of the information and control systems of the Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft. These systems are based on the KOMDIV-64SMP (1890VM5F) processors developed by the NIISI RAS in 2005. The processors have a superscalar MIPS IV architecture, which allows executing several instructions in parallel, and operate at frequencies of 260-396 MHz. Manufacturing using CMOS technology with 350 nm design standards was initially carried out at the production facilities of foreign companies TSMC, UMC, GlobalFoundries, XFAB (technologically, Russian enterprises are now capable of producing such products themselves).

The Baget on-board digital computers operate under the Baget 3.0 real-time operating system (2004-2008) based on the microkernel concept and isolation of system components to minimize the impact of failures. The system, written in C/C++ and assembler, includes a graphical interface that complies with the ARINC 653 specification and the POSIX 1003.1 standard. Internal data exchange between the on-board digital computer modules is performed via the VME 32 and PCI 2.1 buses. Additional interfaces include 1062.5 Mbit/s Fibre Channel channels for data exchange and graphics output, as well as 100 Mbit/s Ethernet process channels for loading and debugging software. The BAGET-53-31M series 1 model is equipped with an MGK-8 graphic module for generating 2D/3D images and a memory capacity of 8 GB.

For the promising fifth-generation fighter Su-57 (T-50, PAK FA), solutions based on the Baguette were initially considered, but increased requirements for computing power necessitated the creation of a new IMA BK (integrated modular avionics of combat systems) onboard digital computer, presented by JSC State Ryazan Instrument-making Plant in 2017. It is based on four specialized very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) 1888TX018 developed by ZAO NTC Modul. Each VLSI is a system on a chip (SoC) combining two foreign central processing units (CPU) PowerPC 470S with a frequency of 400-800 MHz for general computing and four Russian digital signal processors (DSP) NeuroMatrix NMC3 with a frequency of 400 MHz, designed to process video signals and radar data. The crystals also contain a DDR3 memory controller and a wide range of interfaces: Ethernet GMII, MII/RMII, GSPI/SDIO, SPI, UART, USB2.0 HSOTG, I2C, MKO, SpaceWire, FibreChannel, ARINC-818, PCI-e 4x, GPIO. The VLSI is manufactured using 28 nm CMOS technology. The IMA BK digital computer is equipped with 16 GB of RAM with error correction (EC) and 1 TB of non-volatile memory (EPROM). External interfaces are comparable to the Baguette series solutions.

The operating system used is the BagrOS 4000 RTOS developed by PJSC Sukhoi Company, optimized for multi-core processors and supporting the ARINC 653 standard. Let us note once again that this information is from the late 2010s, and the Su-57 has been seriously modified since then, including in terms of onboard electronics, so we do not know what onboard computers are installed on it in 2025.
 
@Anduriel

It seems that first stage prototypes T-50 really used/use 'Baget' comps and the first prototype with IMA-BK on board was in fact T-50-8.

Article from 14. April 2017 :

Многоядерный Т-50: на новом российском истребителе ИМА БК заменила «Багет»​


''Первый истребитель Т-50 с новой бортовой электроникой и микропроцессором был поднят в воздух зимой этого года. По словам Дмитрия Грибова, главного конструктора компании «Сухой» и директора дирекции интеграции КБО, новейшая платформа приходит на смену спроектированной еще в 2004 году вычислительной системе на базе БЦВМ «Багет». Работы по созданию новой системы «Интегрированной модульной авионики боевых комплексов» (ИМА БК) велись в течение последних четырех лет.''

''The first T-50 fighter with new onboard electronics and a microprocessor was lifted into the air this winter. According to Dmitry Gribov, chief designer of the Sukhoi company and director of the KBO integration directorate, the newest platform replaces the computing system designed back in 2004 based on the Baget onboard computer.Work on the creation of the new Integrated Modular Avionics of Combat Systems (IMA BK) system has been underway for the past four years.''

 
This site reports that Su-57 uses IMA BK, and Baget was intended initially, but was deemed insufficient due to increased computing power demands:
Huh, I thought the Russians were using their homegrown Elbrus chips, fabbed by TSMC on 28nm node (which does match up with the claims of the article)
Wonder how and why IBM was cool licensing their CPU design to a foreign adversary
 
Huh, I thought the Russians were using their homegrown Elbrus chips, fabbed by TSMC on 28nm node (which does match up with the claims of the article)

Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine I have no doubt that TSMC has cut Russia off.
 
Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine I have no doubt that TSMC has cut Russia off.
Likely, but that doesn't mean they can't go to China to have them make these chips, 28nm is 15 years behind SOTA, I remember reading Russia's working on a domestic fab for 28nm as well.
 
Huh, I thought the Russians were using their homegrown Elbrus chips, fabbed by TSMC on 28nm node (which does match up with the claims of the article)
Wonder how and why IBM was cool licensing their CPU design to a foreign adversary
I'm also surpirised, but I thought that Su-57 used Elbrus R2000 CPUs, based on SPARC v9 ISA.
 
Everything is nonstealthshaped if you ask the f-22/f-35 fanboys my favorite comment is about the bolt heads and rivets how exposed they are it seams those dudes never ever ever have seen f-22/35 up close

BY the way are you all so surprised on the CPU architecture F-35 still uses intel PIII
 
BY the way are you all so surprised on the CPU architecture F-35 still uses intel PIII
You say that like it should be remarkable in some way. It's a late-2000s aircraft and military chip architecture always lags multiple generations due to the need to harden the architecture, which basically means completely redeveloping it at the die/mask level.

And in any case TR-3 replaces the Integrated Core Processor with a new L3Harris version (reportedly the cause of most of the delays*) which is reportedly a custom CPU/GPU offering 37 times the processing power.

* But integration is so complex I'd want to know more before saying L3Harris are at fault.
 
By Fighterbomber


''Лётчик Су-57 смотрит на лётчика Су-57, который смотрит на летчика Су-57.

Ничего необычного, если бы не одно, но.

Это первые строевые летчики и первые Су-57 поступившие на вооружение строевого истребительного полка.

Дождались!

Ну какой строевой полк стал первым получившим такие самолёты на вооружение думаю олды догадались.

Заслуженно.''

''A Su-57 pilot looks at a Su-57 pilot who looks at a Su-57 pilot.

Nothing unusual, if not for one thing.

These are the first combat pilots and the first Su-57s to enter service with a combat fighter regiment.

We've waited!

Well, which combat regiment was the first to receive such aircraft into service, I think the old-timers have guessed.

Deservedly so.''


Operational unit can be 23rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment based in Dzyomgi air base (Russia's Far East).
 
Is 51 Red a new bort number or have we've seen it already? I just remember 52 and 53 Red out of the top of my head
 
02,52,53,54 was delivery on 2022, maybe 51 send on late 2021
No. It has registration number of RF-81791, it is likely closer to “53 red” RF-81793 delivered in autumn of 2024, than to “53 red” RF-81777 and “54 red” RF-81777 delivered in early 2022.
(Yes, there are two “53 red”, same way as there are two “02 red” from different batches)
 
No. It has registration number of RF-81791, it is likely closer to “53 red” RF-81793 delivered in autumn of 2024, than to “53 red” RF-81777 and “54 red” RF-81777 delivered in early 2022.
(Yes, there are two “53 red”, same way as there are two “02 red” from different batches)
I'm confused, how can 2 planes in 1 number Lmao
 

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