This article is based on an official press release from United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), supplemented by industry research and analysis.

On May 19, 2026, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, successfully completed the maiden flight of the Su-57D. According to an official company press release, this new military aircraft is a two-seat, multirole fifth-generation fighter designed to expand the operational scope of the baseline Su-57 platform.

The prototype was piloted by Sergei Bogdan, Sukhoi Design Bureau Chief Test Pilot and Hero of Russia. Industry data confirms the flight took place at the Gromov Flight Research Institute airfield in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, lasting approximately 40 minutes.

UAC and Rostec officials highlighted that the flight proceeded in accordance with mission requirements, evaluating the stability and handling characteristics of the modified airframe. The introduction of the twin-seat variant marks a significant milestone, introducing a platform intended for combat, advanced training, and airborne command and control.

Technical Specifications and Airframe Origins

According to defense analysts and open-source intelligence cited in our research, the prototype, carrying the side number “055 Blue”, was not a clean-sheet build. Instead, it was converted from an existing single-seat airframe, specifically the T-50-5R. Industry records indicate this original airframe first flew in 2013, suffered an engine fire in 2014, and was subsequently rebuilt.

During the maiden flight, Pilot Sergey Bogdan reported that the aircraft’s performance, stability, and controllability were broadly consistent with the single-seat variant, and all onboard systems operated normally.

Cockpit Configuration and Design

The Su-57D features an elongated cockpit canopy to accommodate a tandem two-seat configuration. Similar to the design philosophy seen in the Su-30 Flanker family, the rear seat is positioned significantly higher than the front seat, providing the second crew member with adequate forward visibility. UAC officially registered the patent for this two-seat design in November 2023, outlining its technical specifications and intended role as an aerial command center.

Strategic Roles: Manned-Unmanned Teaming and Training

The official press release outlines three primary operational roles for the Su-57D: command and control, combat training, and multirole combat. A key function of the second crew member will be to manage mixed groups of manned and unmanned aircraft.

“The two-seat version of the Su-57… can be used not only for pilot training but also for organizing and managing combat operations of a joint group of manned and unmanned aircraft, creating a unified information and control space,” stated Rostec in the official release.

The “Loyal Wingman” Concept

Defense analysts note that this command-and-control capability aligns closely with Russia’s ongoing development of the S-70 Okhotnik (“Hunter”) heavy stealth drone. The Su-57D is expected to act as an airborne command center, directing the S-70 as a “loyal wingman” in highly contested airspace.

“This aircraft, developed proactively by our aircraft manufacturers, will not only boast unique combat capabilities but also the capabilities of a combat trainer and combat control aircraft,” noted First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov in the UAC release.

Like the baseline Su-57, the Su-57D retains its low-observability characteristics and is capable of engaging air, ground, and naval targets around the clock, even in adverse weather and heavy electronic jamming environments.

Export Potential and Global Context

Beyond its tactical applications for the Russian Air-Forces, the Su-57D is heavily geared toward the export market. Historically, Russian twin-seat fighters have been highly sought after by foreign clients, and UAC leadership explicitly linked the new configuration to international sales.

“We continue to work on improving and expanding the functionality of our most advanced fifth-generation aviation system. I am confident that the two-seat version of the aircraft will significantly contribute to its success in international markets,” said Vadim Badekha, CEO of UAC.

Prospective International Clients

Industry reports indicate that India and Algeria are primary prospective buyers. Talks between Russia and India regarding the license production of the Su-57 are reportedly at an advanced technical stage. Sukhoi had previously drafted a two-seat version specifically for an Indian requirement under the now-suspended joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program.

Globally, the introduction of the Su-57D places Russia alongside China, which has developed the J-20S, a two-seat version of its own fifth-generation stealth fighter. In contrast, the United States currently does not operate a two-seat fifth-generation fighter, as neither the F-22 nor the F-35 features a twin-seat variant.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that converting an existing prototype (Tail 055) rather than manufacturing a new airframe from scratch is a pragmatic, cost-effective practice in military aviation testing. This approach allows UAC to accelerate the aerodynamic and systems testing of the tandem cockpit without the lead time required for a new build. Furthermore, the explicit focus on manned-unmanned teaming underscores a global shift in aerial warfare doctrine, where fifth-generation fighters are increasingly viewed as central nodes in a broader network of autonomous combat vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When did the Su-57D make its first flight? The maiden flight took place on May 19, 2026, lasting approximately 40 minutes.
• What is the primary purpose of the second seat? The second seat is designed for a crew member to manage manned-unmanned teaming (such as controlling the S-70 Okhotnik drone), as well as for advanced pilot training.
• Is the Su-57D an entirely new aircraft? No. According to industry analysis, the prototype was converted from an existing single-seat T-50-5R airframe.

Sources

• United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from the U.S. Navy.

Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray Secures Milestone C Approval, Entering Initial Production

The U.S. Navy has officially granted Milestone C approval to the MQ-25A Stingray program, marking a critical transition from the engineering phase into manufacturing and deployment. Announced on May 19, 2026, by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, this decision authorizes Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the world’s first fully integrated, carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Developed by Boeing, the MQ-25A is designed primarily to provide organic aerial refueling to the Carrier Air Wing (CVW). By taking over routine tanking duties, the Stingray will relieve manned F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, significantly extending the operational reach and lethality of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. According to the official Navy press release, this milestone follows a highly successful test flight of a production-representative aircraft in late April 2026, which cleared the path for fleet introduction.

The transition to production represents a major technological leap for naval aviation, introducing a hybrid manned-unmanned model to the flight deck and setting the doctrinal foundation for future collaborative combat aircraft.

Overcoming Delays and Proving Capabilities

The Crucial April Test Flight

The Milestone C decision was heavily dependent on the successful first test flight of a production-representative MQ-25A Stingray, which took place on April 25, 2026. As detailed in the Navy’s release, the aircraft launched from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, and completed a comprehensive two-hour flight.

During this flight, the UAV autonomously executed a digitally programmed mission plan. The demonstration included taxiing, takeoff, complex flight maneuvers, and landing. Furthermore, the aircraft successfully responded to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5 Ground Control Station, proving its readiness for carrier integration.

This successful demonstration was vital for the program’s advancement. The MQ-25A had previously missed its originally scheduled Milestone C target in fiscal year 2023 due to technical and production delays. The Pentagon’s Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) had previously cited concerns over the program’s reliance on data from an early prototype rather than production-representative hardware. The April 2026 flight of the operational model effectively resolved these hurdles.

“Boeing is honored to work alongside our U.S. Navy partner in achieving this historic milestone in the MQ-25A Stingray’s development life cycle. We remain focused on getting this game-changing unmanned aircraft into the hands of the fleet and integrated into the carrier air wing.”

, Troy Rutherford, Vice President of Boeing’s MQ-25 Program, via Navy press release

Production Contracts and Program Scale

Transitioning to Low-Rate Initial Production

With Milestone C secured, the Navy is moving rapidly to initiate manufacturing. According to program data, the Navy is expected to award an LRIP Lot 1 contract for three aircraft this summer. This upcoming contract will also include priced options for Lot 2, which covers three additional aircraft, and Lot 3, which covers five aircraft.

The financial scope of the MQ-25A program is substantial. The original Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract, signed in 2018, was valued at $805 million for the design, development, and delivery of the first four Stingray aircraft. Moving forward, the Navy expects the total program to cost approximately $13 billion to procure a complete fleet of 72 aircraft.

“Unmanned refueling extends our reach against any adversary. Moving the MQ-25A Stingray to Milestone C and into production is arming our warfighters with a capability that increases the lethality of our Carrier Strike Groups. This is a decisive advantage that delivers our warfighters what they need to fight and win.”

, Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy, via Navy press release

Technical Specifications and Strategic Impact

Engineering for Endurance

To meet the demanding requirements of carrier-based aerial refueling, the MQ-25A is powered by a single Rolls-Royce AE 3007N engine. This engine features a high-bypass-ratio (5:1) architecture specifically designed for low specific fuel consumption, which is critical for enabling the long-endurance missions required of a fleet tanker. While its primary mission is refueling, the Navy notes that the MQ-25A is also equipped to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, adding a secondary layer of utility to the Carrier Air Wing.

“The Rolls-Royce AE 3007N engine was integral to the successful first flight of the MQ-25A Stingray, which will greatly enhance the range and capability of the U.S. Carrier Air Wing. We are honored the U.S. Navy has, once again, put its trust in our proven, reliable family of high-performance AE engines for this critical new unmanned platform.”

, Meagan Rater, Director of U.S. Mature Programs for Defense, Rolls-Royce, via Navy press release

Redefining Carrier Strike Range

The introduction of the Stingray addresses a critical operational bottleneck for the Navy. Currently, up to 20 to 30 percent of F/A-18 Super Hornet flight hours are consumed by “buddy tanking”, the practice of using manned fighters to refuel other fighters. By assuming this organic tanking mission, the MQ-25A will preserve the service life of the Super Hornet fleet and allow manned fighters to focus strictly on combat and strike missions.

Furthermore, the Stingray is designed to offload up to 15,000 pounds of fuel at a distance of 500 nautical miles from the aircraft carrier. This capability effectively doubles the strike range of manned aircraft, a crucial metric for modern naval operations.

AirPro News analysis

The Milestone C approval for the MQ-25A Stingray is more than just an acquisition checkpoint; it represents a fundamental shift in the geometry of naval warfare. By allowing aircraft carriers to project power from significantly further away, the Navy is directly addressing the growing threat of adversarial anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems, particularly in contested environments like the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, the Stingray serves as the vital pathfinder for integrating autonomous drones into the high-pressure, complex environment of carrier flight decks. The lessons learned from the MQ-25A’s deployment will inevitably shape the future of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) and the broader integration of unmanned systems across the U.S. military.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Milestone C?
  Milestone C is a critical defense acquisition checkpoint that authorizes a program to transition from the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and eventual deployment.
• What engine powers the MQ-25A Stingray?
  The aircraft is powered by a single Rolls-Royce AE 3007N engine, which utilizes a high-bypass-ratio design for fuel efficiency and long endurance.
• How much fuel can the MQ-25A offload?
  The Stingray is designed to offload up to 15,000 pounds of fuel at a distance of 500 nautical miles from the carrier.
• How many MQ-25A aircraft does the Navy plan to buy?
  The Navy expects to procure a total fleet of 72 aircraft, with the total program cost estimated at approximately $13 billion.

Sources

• U.S. Navy Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from L3Harris Technologies.

On May 20, 2026, L3Harris Technologies announced the operational readiness and international availability of its modular light attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) Military-Aircraft. Built upon the rugged foundation of the Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, the platform is being fielded in two distinct variants: the OA-1K Skyraider II for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL for allied nations.

According to the official press release, the aircraft is designed to deliver persistent, low-cost airpower in austere environments. By integrating advanced modular systems like the “Red Wolf” standoff cruise missile and “Green Wolf” electronic warfare suites, L3Harris aims to provide a highly adaptable platform for modern irregular warfare and counter-terrorism operations.

From Crop Duster to Special Operations Workhorse

The Armed Overwatch Program

The OA-1K Skyraider II originates from U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) “Armed Overwatch” program. Awarded in 2022 as a $3 billion initiative, the program sought a cost-effective, crewed aircraft to replace the aging U-28A Draco fleet. The primary objective was to secure a platform capable of close air support, precision strike, and armed ISR in permissive, low-threat environments.

To meet these requirements, L3Harris utilized the Air Tractor AT-802U airframe, a civilian aircraft renowned for agricultural crop dusting and aerial firefighting. As noted in the company’s release, the airframe was selected for its extreme ruggedness, having accumulated over 1.6 million flight hours in harsh conditions. In early 2025, the U.S. military officially designated the aircraft the OA-1K “Skyraider II,” a nod to the legendary Douglas A-1 Skyraider that provided close air support during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Capabilities and Modular Integrations

The “Wolf Pack” System

The Skyraider II boasts significant endurance and payload capacities. According to L3Harris, the aircraft provides five to eight hours of persistent surveillance and strike capability with a 250-nautical-mile combat radius. It is equipped with up to 11 hardpoints, allowing it to carry a 6,000-pound combat loadout that includes AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AGR-20 APKWS laser-guided rockets, and GBU-12 laser-guided bombs.

Furthermore, the aircraft features Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities. It can operate from unpaved dirt runways or highways, requiring roughly half the distance of comparable medium-altitude ISR platforms. AFSOC is also testing the aircraft’s rapid deployability, ensuring it can be disassembled, loaded into a C-17 or C-5 cargo plane, and reassembled for combat within hours.

L3Harris heavily emphasizes the aircraft’s modular open systems architecture. This includes the “Red Wolf” kinetic strike system, a low-cost miniature cruise missile providing a standoff strike capability of over 200 nautical miles, and the “Green Wolf” electronic warfare system for detection and jamming. The platform also integrates WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical/infrared sensors for high-definition surveillance and laser designation.

“Our customers demand a lean, agile aircraft that can fly, take off and land anywhere, anytime, outfitted with a wide range of payloads… Bringing together Red Wolf and Sky Warden demonstrates the rapid reconfiguration and customization of key L3Harris capabilities,” stated Jason Lambert, President of ISR at L3Harris, in the press release.

Strategic Value and Cost Efficiency

Shifting the Financial Paradigm

A primary driver behind the adoption of the Skyraider II is its extreme cost efficiency. L3Harris advertises the operating cost at under $1,000 per flight hour. Even when fully burdened, AFSOC officials cite a cost of roughly $2,500 per flying hour. This stands in stark contrast to traditional fighter jets like the F-16, which cost between $22,000 and $27,000 per hour to operate.

“The OA-1K is one of the most affordable AFSOC platforms, which then frees up higher-end assets that are more costly, for other mission sets around the world… With rapid disassembly and reassembly, OA-1K can be loaded into mobility aircraft like a C-5 or C-17 for rapid worldwide deployment,” noted Lt. Col. Robert Wilson, AFSOC Armed Overwatch Requirements Branch Chief.

“Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution to our national security needs… It will redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response and the evolving landscape of modern warfare,” added Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Commander of AFSOC.

Production and Global Proliferation

Current Deliveries and Export Potential

As of the SOF Week conference in May 2026, L3Harris has delivered 18 OA-1K aircraft to AFSOC out of a contracted 45. Production is currently advancing at a rate of roughly one aircraft per month at the company’s Waco, Texas facility. AFSOC is targeting the fourth quarter of 2027 for the aircraft’s first combat deployment.

Internationally, L3Harris is actively marketing the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL variant. The company has secured export license approvals for more than 20 countries, pitching the $25 million aircraft to nations in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe for border security, maritime patrol, and counter-drone operations.

AirPro News analysis

We observe a fascinating irony in the Armed Overwatch program: the U.S. military is effectively converting a civilian crop duster into a highly lethal, sensor-packed warplane to save billions of dollars. By integrating the “Red Wolf” cruise missile, L3Harris is transforming a slow-moving propeller plane into a long-range strike platform. This blurs the traditional lines between light attack aircraft and high-end bombers. Furthermore, the global proliferation of the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL could significantly alter the balance of power in smaller regional conflicts, granting allied nations access to U.S. special operations-tier airpower at a fraction of the cost of a modern fighter jet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OA-1K Skyraider II based on?
It is a heavily militarized version of the Air Tractor AT-802U, an aircraft traditionally used for crop dusting and aerial firefighting.

How much does it cost to operate?
L3Harris states it costs under $1,000 per flight hour, with AFSOC citing a fully burdened cost of roughly $2,500 per hour. This is significantly cheaper than traditional fighter jets.

What is the “Red Wolf” system?
It is a low-cost miniature cruise missile that gives the aircraft a standoff strike capability of over 200 nautical miles, allowing it to engage targets from a safe distance.

Sources

• L3Harris Technologies Press Release