The development of a sixth-generation combat aircraft is actively progressing in Russia, confirmed the scientific director of the State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS), Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Evgeny Fedosov. This ambitious project involves the creation of an aviation platform capable of meeting the challenges of future armed conflicts, while maintaining a manned format, complemented by artificial intelligence capabilities.

“We are currently thinking about the concept of a sixth-generation aircraft, conducting exploratory research, exchanging opinions with military experts (...) Manned aviation will remain forever, because no one has yet surpassed the human brain (...) I am convinced that man cannot be excluded from a combat operation", - Fedosov noted in an interview with TASS.

The new aircraft is expected to enter service with the Russian Aerospace Forces by 2050. A feature of the promising combat aircraft will be its ability to cooperate with unmanned aerial vehicles, which will allow it to effectively solve combat missions in the areas of air defense systems, minimizing risks to the lives of pilots.

The emphasis on preserving manned aircraft in Russia's future aviation fleet highlights the importance of the human factor and the unique capabilities it provides in managing complex combat systems. This approach to development distinguishes the Russian program from American projects, where the capabilities of fully autonomous combat platforms are being actively explored.