At the Dubai Airshow 2025, the cockpit of the Russian Su-57E fighter was shown in detail for the first time. The export version of the fifth generation was made as open as possible for visitors, allowing them to examine the cockpit literally down to the last screw.
Before flying to Dubai, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the Rostec State Corporation) for the first time demonstrated the main weapons bay of the fighter, and already at the air show the aircraft became a key premiere of the stand.
The Su-57E, piloted by Hero of Russia Sergei Bogdan, performed an energetic demonstration flight, clearly revealing the maneuverability and operating modes of the fifth-generation aircraft.
After the aerobatics demonstration, visitors to the exhibition were able to see the cockpit of the Su-57E from the inside for the first time. In 2024, such an opportunity was at the Zhuhai Airshow, but the current display turned out to be more detailed — the cockpit was revealed from a different angle, allowing to study the configuration of the controls and the layout of the instruments.
It can be seen that there is a large central display in front of the pilot, and two more screens are installed above and to the side. The control stick is of a complex anatomical shape, with several triggers and a set of buttons, next to it is the usual white landing gear lever and a small set of keys. The indicator on the windshield completes the layout.
For contrast, the Su-27 cockpit with numerous instruments and analog panels looks much more complicated. However, the simplicity of the Su-57 is deceptive — a significant part of the functions has been transferred to software modules, and the interface is designed to reduce the load on the pilot.