A Russian Su-57 fighter jet (Photo: Sputnik).
Sputnik quoted a well-informed source as saying that Russia is building small UAVs to integrate into the Su-57 fighter jet. Accordingly, this fighter jet can carry UAVs inside and launch them to carry out missions.
"Small UAVs for various purposes have been created for the Su-57. The Su-57 fighter can carry UAVs externally or in the weapon bay, then release them in the air and control their operations," the source said.
The Su-57 can release dozens of UAVs at once to penetrate enemy defenses by overloading them, or through mass attacks.
In April 2021, a source in the Russian arms industry said that the Su-57 would be equipped with the ability to control a group of small drones. At the time, the source said that Russia had begun developing software and equipment to implement this technology.
Last November, Tass news agency reported that the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of Russia's largest defense manufacturer Rostec, had successfully created a UAV launch and capture system on a moving aircraft.
The patent registered by UAC said that this device is equipped with technology that allows it to gather UAVs into the aircraft's weapons bay or rack, as well as deploy these weapons to participate in combat operations.
The mechanism of a large aircraft launching and retracting a smaller aircraft is similar to aircraft carriers operating at sea.
According to UAC, this system can be equipped on transport aircraft, strategic bombers, and even fighters.
UAVs are becoming an integral part of future combat operations. Recent conflicts have shown the important, even game-changing role of UAVs.
The ability to carry out massive swarm attacks on enemy targets can provide a significant advantage to a military. The “aircraft carrier” mechanism can do this.
It can be said that with UAVs, air forces will have many different combat options with prices not as expensive as missiles and without causing human risks compared to conventional manned aircraft.
The Su-57 is currently considered Russia's most modern fighter. This is a multi-role fighter with impressive stealth capabilities and is nicknamed the "sky ghost".
The Su-57's operating range, according to Russian media, is over 5,500 km. In recent times, Russia has continuously tested integrating "terrible" weapons onto its top fighter jet, such as hypersonic missiles, smart bombs, and apparently electromagnetic pulse weapons.
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