The fighter jet of the future may not fly into battle alone. Instead, it could command an entire formation of unmanned aircraft, sending drones ahead to detect threats, jam radars, deceive air defences and strike targets.Russia is now pushing this concept around its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter.Russian defence conglomerate Rostec is showcasing low-observable unmanned aircraft designed to operate with the Su-57. The concept points towards a fundamental change in air warfare: the fighter evolving from a standalone combat aircraft into an airborne command node for drones.Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, former Indian Air Force fighter pilot Air Marshal Anil Chopra explained why manned-unmanned teaming could transform operations in heavily defended airspace.“The manned aircraft could be the mother aircraft, the controller, and there could be a large number of drones which could act either as loyal wingmen or could even be a swarm.”Such drones could perform different tasks. Some could fly ahead as decoys, others could carry sensors for reconnaissance and targeting, while electronic warfare drones could attempt to disrupt enemy systems. Armed unmanned aircraft could eventually carry out strikes, allowing the expensive crewed fighter to remain farther from the most dangerous air defences.The concept is not uniquely Russian. The United States is developing Collaborative Combat Aircraft, including the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A prototypes, while China is pursuing its own advanced unmanned combat aircraft and manned-unmanned teaming concepts.The challenge is what happens inside the cockpit.A fighter pilot already has to fly the aircraft, monitor sensors, track threats and employ weapons. Controlling multiple drones simultaneously could create an enormous workload. This is where artificial intelligence and greater drone autonomy become critical.Chopra believes the drones cannot depend on the pilot for every decision.“There will be a high degree of autonomy that will have to be given to the drones after a target has been assigned or a job has been assigned.”The transformation could change the economics and risks of air warfare as well. Relatively expendable drones can be pushed into highly contested airspace before a valuable fighter and its pilot. The fighter jet, therefore, may not disappear. Its role could become even more important. Instead of being the lone hunter in the sky, it could become the commander of a flying army.

Russia is developing unmanned aircraft designed to work with the Su-57, pointing to a future where fighter jets command drones in combat.

The fighter jet of the future may not fly into battle alone. Instead, it could command an entire formation of unmanned aircraft, sending drones ahead to detect threats, jam radars, deceive air defences and strike targets. Russia is now pushing this concept around its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. Russian defence conglomerate Rostec is showcasing low-observable unmanned aircraft designed to operate with the Su-57. The concept points towards a fundamental change in air warfare: the fighter evolving from a standalone combat aircraft into an airborne command node for drones. Speaking on WION’s Defence Pulse, former Indian Air Force fighter pilot Air Marshal Anil Chopra explained why manned-unmanned teaming could transform operations in heavily defended airspace. “The manned aircraft could be the mother aircraft, the controller, and there could be a large number of drones which could act either as loyal wingmen or could even be a swarm.” Such drones could perform different tasks. Some could fly ahead as decoys, others could carry sensors for reconnaissance and targeting, while electronic warfare drones could attempt to disrupt enemy systems. Armed unmanned aircraft could eventually carry out strikes, allowing the expensive crewed fighter to remain farther from the most dangerous air defences. The concept is not uniquely Russian. The United States is developing Collaborative Combat Aircraft, including the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A prototypes, while China is pursuing its own advanced unmanned combat aircraft and manned-unmanned teaming concepts. The challenge is what happens inside the cockpit. A fighter pilot already has to fly the aircraft, monitor sensors, track threats and employ weapons. Controlling multiple drones simultaneously could create an enormous workload. This is where artificial intelligence and greater drone autonomy become critical. Chopra believes the drones cannot depend on the pilot for every decision. “There will be a high degree of autonomy that will have to be given to the drones after a target has been assigned or a job has been assigned.” The transformation could change the economics and risks of air warfare as well. Relatively expendable drones can be pushed into highly contested airspace before a valuable fighter and its pilot. The fighter jet, therefore, may not disappear. Its role could become even more important. Instead of being the lone hunter in the sky, it could become the commander of a flying army.

Russia is developing unmanned aircraft designed to work with the Su-57, pointing to a future where fighter jets command drones in combat.

Su-57’s Drone army: Russia turns stealth fighter into an airborne commander

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Germany of wanting to start a war after Berlin expelled the consulate general from Bonn and closed the Russian cultural centre. This comes after the German government on Tuesday (Sep 1) blamed Moscow for a drone attack on Leipzig airport last month. The explosive-laden drone was discovered in the secure cargo operations area at the strategic airport, near a Ukrainian cargo plane.In an interview published on Sunday (Sep 6), Lavrov said, “This is, by and large, the start of a real war. They expelled the consulate general from Bonn. They’re closing the Russian House (cultural centre) in Berlin. I remember that before the start of the Second World War... They want war again.”Lavrov also accused Germany of Nazism, adding that “the Russian leadership will draw the appropriate conclusions.”<h2>Germany blames Russia over drone incident</h2>On Tuesday (Sep 1), the German government said that Russia sent “low-level agents” for an attempted “hybrid attack” involving an explosive-laden drone at the strategic airport in eastern Germany.In response, Germany shut down the Russian consulate in Bonn and ended the contract for the Russian House, a cultural centre in Berlin.After examining the drone technology used and other intelligence, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that “the government concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.”“The drone configuration – various components, explosives and ignition systems – are known to us from other hybrid operations by Russia and its war against Ukraine,” he added.“We do not view the Leipzig incident in isolation, but rather see it in the context of other hybrid actions,” he said. “We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia.”“We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said.<h2>EU summons Russian envoys</h2>On Wednesday (Sep 2), the EU nations summoned Russia’s envoys and discussed fresh sanctions over the incident.“It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “The question is, what do we do about this?”

Lavrov accused Germany of preparing for war after Berlin blamed Russia for a drone attack on Leipzig airport and closed Russian diplomatic and cultural facilities. The EU has also discussed sanctions over the incident.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Germany of wanting to start a war after Berlin expelled the consulate general from Bonn and closed the Russian cultural centre. This comes after the German government on Tuesday (Sep 1) blamed Moscow for a drone attack on Leipzig airport last month. The explosive-laden drone was discovered in the secure cargo operations area at the strategic airport, near a Ukrainian cargo plane. In an interview published on Sunday (Sep 6), Lavrov said, “This is, by and large, the start of a real war. They expelled the consulate general from Bonn. They’re closing the Russian House (cultural centre) in Berlin. I remember that before the start of the Second World War... They want war again.” Lavrov also accused Germany of Nazism, adding that “the Russian leadership will draw the appropriate conclusions.” Germany blames Russia over drone incident On Tuesday (Sep 1), the German government said that Russia sent “low-level agents” for an attempted “hybrid attack” involving an explosive-laden drone at the strategic airport in eastern Germany. In response, Germany shut down the Russian consulate in Bonn and ended the contract for the Russian House, a cultural centre in Berlin. After examining the drone technology used and other intelligence, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that “the government concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.” “The drone configuration – various components, explosives and ignition systems – are known to us from other hybrid operations by Russia and its war against Ukraine,” he added. “We do not view the Leipzig incident in isolation, but rather see it in the context of other hybrid actions,” he said. “We assume that Germany is the target of further hybrid attacks by Russia.” “We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt said. EU summons Russian envoys On Wednesday (Sep 2), the EU nations summoned Russia’s envoys and discussed fresh sanctions over the incident. “It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “The question is, what do we do about this?”

Lavrov accused Germany of preparing for war after Berlin blamed Russia for a drone attack on Leipzig airport and closed Russian diplomatic and cultural facilities. The EU has also discussed sanctions over the incident.

‘Germany wants war again’: Russian FM accuses Berlin after drone incident

russia-drone

Russia Drone, News on Russia Drone, stories on Russia Drone, articles on Russia Drone, Russia Drone stories at Wion, Russia Drone news, Russia Drone latest news

russia drone

Su-57’s Drone army: Russia turns stealth fighter into an airborne commander

‘Germany wants war again’: Russian FM accuses Berlin after drone incident