The new two-seat Su-57D fighter is primarily aimed at foreign deliveries. However, the combat aircraft has serious drawbacks, according to the American publication The War Zone.
TWZ analysts suggested that the additional seat would inevitably degrade the aircraft's flight characteristics. Due to the reduced fuel tank volume, the flight range would decrease, and speed and maneuverability would suffer.
The main problem is radar visibility. The elongated cockpit will increase it, which is critical for a fifth-generation aircraft.
At the same time, TWZ analysts added that a second crew member would significantly simplify interaction with unmanned wingmen, including the heavy S-70 "Okhotnik" drone.
Earlier, "Pervyy Tekhnicheskiy" analyzed how the Su-57D looked according to OAK's design at the design stage.
