Title: aircraft design - Why do some fighter jets have two pilots while others have only one? - Aviation Stack Exchange
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Why do some fighter jets have two pilots while others have only one?
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Content: one pilot and three countermeasures officers. Share
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edited Oct 8 '15 at 21:37
answered Jun 25 '15 at 20:13
KeithS
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In addition to Vivian jeet Singh Sudan's answer, most tactical aircraft also have training versions, which are indeed two-seaters with dual flight controls with the instructor sitting in the back. The two-seat Eurofighters, Rafales, versions B & D of the Eagle and Fighting Falcon, anything from MiG or Sukhoi with a -UB suffix, etc. are all examples of this. That's not to say that they can't be operated in a pilot + weapons officer configuration (or single-pilot for that matter) and they normally retain full combat capability, but they're primarily intended for initial training, checkrides, and the like. Share
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edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:59
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answered Jun 1 '15 at 9:45
habu
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The primary reason any fighter aircraft would be designed for two crew members is work load. As avionics, sensors and weapon systems advance they become easier for a single pilot to operate, which is why far fewer fighter aircraft have two crew members now than in the past. Share
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answered Jun 1 '15 at 15:26
Joel M.
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Two-pilot versions of almost all military planes exist (including the SR-71 until its retirement). They are for training pilots to fly them. Share
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answered Jun 1 '15 at 19:51
Joshua
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Others have already provided many details on the uses for two-seat fighters, US names and practices, etc.