Russian combat aviation recently demonstrated a sustained data-sharing capability in real-world conditions, forming what officials described as a unified information network. The innovation allowed airframes to quickly identify and engage targets, including air-defense systems, according to a source reported by RIA Novosti.
Four Su-57 fighters, outfitted with automated communication systems capable of real-time data transmission, reportedly interfered with Ukrainian air defenses, executed coordinated strikes, and provided precise target coordinates to ground-based weapons systems.
The Su-57, classified by NATO as a fifth-generation multirole fighter under the designations Felon, is developed by OkB im. Sukhoi within the PAK FA program. It stands as Russia’s first and only fifth-generation fighter and was conceived to replace the Su-27 family in the Russian Aerospace Forces. The aircraft completed its first flight on January 29, 2010.
Experts note that combat aviation often operates in groups, whether in pairs, links, or squadrons, to share information and support one another on missions. In the Su-57, this collaborative approach is maximized: the aircraft not only receives data but also analyzes it and disseminates actionable information to locations where it can be used most effectively.
Alexander Drobyshevsky, a military expert and reserve colonel, commented that a similar concept had previously been explored in a tandem of the Su-57 and the unmanned Okhotnik drone during 2019 exercises. He explained that the drone operated in automatic mode, and the collaboration expanded the radar coverage of the lead fighter, broadening the area where long-range weapons could be designated for use without exposing the Su-57 to direct air-defense threats.
Sergei Belousov, a member of the Collegium of Military Experts, suggested that the Su-57’s networked approach could give rise to a virtually unlimited missile designation capacity through linked platforms.
He observed that modern long-range weapon engagement depends on gaining precise target coordinates. Rather than entering hostile airspace to acquire them, aircraft can leverage a chain of UAVs and manned fighters to relay vital data, enabling accurate targeting while minimizing exposure. The envisioned chain could extend across three or four unmanned vehicles, with additional units contributing information to sustain the sequence.
Retired Major General Anatoly Kharchevsky added that the networked concept could involve other aircraft beyond UAVs, highlighting the potential for broader participation in the system.
Analysts point to a precedent in Syria where interaction between Su-57s and Su-35s tested the feasibility of establishing a shared information space for an entire air group during combat operations. In that scenario, multiple aircraft operated with coordinated information exchange, learning to avoid unnecessary engagements while maintaining a comprehensive picture of air and ground conditions. The Su-57 was described as both an information collector and a relay node, distributing summarized data to supporting aircraft to inform their actions.
Industry observers interviewed by open sources emphasize that the Su-57’s approach aligns with the broader “network-centric” doctrine associated with next-generation air power concepts. These ideas are often linked to the theoretical framework behind the United States’ NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) concept, which prioritizes constant information exchange across platforms to improve battlefield awareness.
Some analysts contend that the Su-57 has surpassed conventional fifth-generation benchmarks in practical capability, arguing that its current performance in Ukraine mirrors aspects of sixth-generation concepts as described by various defense analyses. While precise details remain undisclosed, the public assessment suggests that the aircraft’s evolving role includes enhanced data integration and dissemination across a fighting formation, signaling a notable advancement in domestic combat aviation tactics.