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Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B

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S-70 Okhotnik-B
S-70 prototype 071 taxiing after 2019 maiden flight
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association Plant
Designer Sukhoi
Mikoyan
First flight 3 August 2019[1]
Introduction 2024
Status In development
Primary user Russian Aerospace Forces
Produced 2019–present
Number built 2
Developed from Mikoyan Skat
Sukhoi Su-57
External videos
Russian MoD Okhotnik coverage
video icon Okhotnik's maiden flight on YouTube
video icon Extended video of the first test flight on YouTube
video icon Okhotnik's first flight with Su-57 on YouTube
S-70 Okhotnik-B

The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Russian: Сухой С-70 "Охотник", lit. 'Hunter'), also referred to as Hunter-B,[2][3] is a Russian heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that was being developed during the 2010s by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG.[4] Several prototypes underwent flight testing in 2019–2023[5] and, as of January 2024, it was projected that production could begin as early as the second half of 2024.[6]

The drone is based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat, designed by MiG,[4] encompassing some technologies of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet.[7][8] As of 2021, it was projected to act under the control of pilots of Su-57 jets in a potential future version, similar to the USAF Skyborg program.[9][10]

First operational use was reported in July 2023 as a reconnaissance flight over Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[11] and an S-70 was shot down over Ukraine in October 2024.[12][13]

Development

[edit]

The Okhotnik has been under development since at least 2011, when Sukhoi was selected by the Russian Defense Ministry to lead a programme for a new heavy unmanned reconnaissance and attack drone.[14][15] The new UCAV is being jointly developed by MiG and Sukhoi, based on data of the earlier Mikoyan Skat UCAV programme.[4] The work is carried out by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO), part of the Sukhoi company. In the documents, the drone is characterised as a "sixth-generation unmanned aerial vehicle".[15]

The first mock-up intended for ground tests was created in 2014.[15] Prototype of the drone was first revealed in July 2017, showing the drone's flying wing configuration.[16]

In November 2018, the drone performed first series of taxiing, speeding and stopping tests in fully autonomous mode at a runway of the NAPO plant. During the runs, it reached a maximum speed of 200 km/h.[17][18][better source needed]

On 18 January 2019, the third flyable Su-57 prototype (bort no. 053) was spotted wearing a new digital camouflage paint scheme, with digital silhouette of the Okhotnik on its top and underside and unique markings on the vertical tail showing the shape of a UCAV flying alongside the shape of Su-57 with a lightning bolt (universally used to show electronic connectivity and data sharing) between the two.[19] On 24 January 2019, first flyable prototype of the drone was seen towed at the NAPO plant.[20][better source needed] According to Russian officials, the Su-57 is being used as a flying laboratory for the testing of the Okhotnik's avionics systems.[8]

In late May 2019, Okhotnik performed a series of flight tests during which the drone flew several meters above a runway of the NAPO plant.[21]

On 3 August 2019, Okhotnik performed its maiden flight. The drone flew for about 20 minutes at an altitude of 600 meters above Chkalov State Flight Test Center in Akhtubinsk, and made several circles around the airfield.[1] On August 7, the Russian Defence Ministry released a video of the first flight.[22]

On 27 September 2019, Russian MoD released a video showcasing the first flight of Okhotnik alongside Su-57. Reportedly the UAV operated autonomously and flew for more than 30 minutes interacting with the Su-57 to test extending the fighter's radar and target designation range for use of long-range air-launched weapons from the outside of enemy air defenses.[23]

On 12 February 2021, it was reported that three additional prototypes were under construction at the Novosibirsk Chkalov Aviation Plant, according to a source in the military-industrial complex. The second model is a modified copy of the 1st prototype while the 3rd and 4th prototypes will be identical to the serial production unit. The improvements will relate to the systems of onboard radio-electronic equipment and structural elements of the airframe. The three additional prototypes should be ready for flight tests in 2022 and 2023. The source in the military-industrial complex also said that the serial Hunter will receive a standard flat nozzle to further reduce their thermal and radar signature.[24]

On 28 February 2021, it was reported that the Okhotnik will be used aboard the future Project 23900 Ivan Rogov amphibious assault ships, capable of carrying 4 Okhotnik drones, for reconnaissance and strike missions.[25]

In December 2021, a second prototype with a new flat jet nozzle and no afterburner was shown being towed out of a hangar.[26][27]

Okhotnik reportedly tested unguided weapons like free-fall bombs in 2021 and carried out tests with precision-guided munitions in 2022.[27]

In August 2023, it was reported that state tests for the Okhotnik will be completed by the end of 2023, with the drone expected to enter mass production in 2024.[5] The vice-governor of Novosibirsk oblast said in January 2024 that serial production of Okhotnik will begin in the second half of 2024.[6]

Design

[edit]
The S-70 prototype has a non-stealthy circular exhaust

The Okhotnik's design is based on the flying-wing scheme and incorporates use of composite materials and stealth coatings, reducing the drone's radar cross section in flight.[28] It has a weight of about 20 tons and a wingspan around 65 feet (20 m). The drone is powered either by a single AL-31F turbofan, as used on the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft, or by the improved AL-41F derivative installed on Su-35S fighters and Su-57 prototypes.[citation needed] The maximum speed of the drone is reportedly 1,000 km/h while carrying its payload internally.[15]

The aircraft bears some visual resemblance to the U.S. RQ-170.[29] It is speculated that the Russian engineers could have had access to the one that was captured by Iranians,[30] but the similarly designed flying-wing Mikoyan Skat had already been in development since 2005, and the Okhotnik is a further development by Sukhoi of the former MiG design.[31]

It is likely that the Okhotnik was designed to act as a "loyal wingman" controlled by the Su-57.[32] The S-70 that was shot down in October 2024 during a test flight was deliberately downed by its accompanying Su-57. From an analysis of the wreckage a Ukrainian analyst claimed that for guidance the S-70 relies on a basic radio link using the accompanying Su-57 as relay as opposed to something network-centric like NATO's Link-16 and characterized the S-70 "more like a glider equipped with basic flight capabilities and radio controls."[12]

Non-stealth features

[edit]

While a S-70 model shown at the 2019 MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon features low-observable apertures, the first prototype's exhaust nozzle is conventional, providing no reduction of infrared signature nor of radar cross section.[33][34]

After a preliminary analysis of the wreckage from the drone shot down in October 2024 a Ukrainian analyst stated that the downed drone did not have any stealth polymers.[12]

Operational history

[edit]

On 1 July 2023, one of the reportedly two operational S-70 was photographed while flying over the Sumy region in apparent aerial reconnaissance during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11]

On 5 October 2024, an S-70 was shot down by an air-to-air missile from a Russian Su-57 near Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine.[12][35][36][37] Together the S-70 and the Su-57 had taken off from Akhtubinsk Air Base 365 miles (587 km) from the front lines for an operational test flight. The drone apparently lost contact with its ground control and flew in the direction of Ukrainian-controlled territory. By the time attempts to regain control over the drone had been given up the drone had crossed the front lines into Ukrainian-controlled territory and the Su-57 deliberately shot down the drone. The Armed Forces of Ukraine consequently gained access to the drone's wreckage for analysis.[12] Among the wreckage, components of a UMPB D-30SN glide bomb were found.[38][39]

Specifications (Sukhoi S-70)

[edit]

Data from TASS,[15] Ainonline[32]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft)
  • Empty weight: 10,000 to 20,000 kg (22,046 to 44,092 lb) [40] (not confirmed)
  • Max takeoff weight: 25,000 kg (55,116 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × AL-41F derivative

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,000 km/h (620 mph, 540 kn) 0.82 Mach
  • Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)
  • Combat range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi) (Less than )

Armament

  • 2 internal weapons bays for up to 2,000 kg of guided and unguided munitions

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Russian heavy strike drone Okhotnik makes first flight". TASS. 3 August 2019. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Russian combat UAV Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik made first flight | August 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year". 5 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "RSK MiG will work together with Sukhoi on a future unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), using experience gained on its Skat programme". Flight Global. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b "ТАСС: испытания беспилотника "Охотник" завершатся в 2023 году". военное.рф (in Russian). 9 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Серийный выпуск БПЛА "Охотник" в Новосибирске начнется во второй половине 2024 года". www.aex.ru. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  7. ^ "How Good Is Russia's New Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B "Hunter" Stealth Drone? | The National Interest". 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11.
  8. ^ a b "Источник: системы БПЛА "Охотник" испытывают на Су-57". TASS. 29 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Russia is testing its own 'loyal wingman' drone for its Su-57 stealth fighter". businessinsider.com. 7 December 2020.
  10. ^ "S-70 Okhotnik: news from the Russian Loyal Wingman". aviacionline.com. 14 December 2021.
  11. ^ a b Nikolov, Boyko (2023-07-01). "UCAV shaped and sized as a Russian S-70 spotted over Ukraine". bulgarianmilitary.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  12. ^ a b c d e Malyasov, Dylan (2024-10-06). "New details emerge on Russia's S-70 drone loss over Ukraine". defence-blog.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  13. ^ Rare Russian S-70 Okhotnik Stealth Drone Reportedly Shot Down Over Donetsk in Ukraine, Global Defense News, 6 October 2024, retrieved 7 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Новые детали НИР "Охотник-Б" и проекта беспилотного летательного аппарата С-70". bmpd.livejournal.com (in Russian). 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Russia's attack drone prototype to start test flights this year". TASS. 8 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  16. ^ "Russian Ministry of Defence Released a Video of First UAV Okhotnik Flight". 7 August 2019.
  17. ^ "Источник: тяжёлый беспилотник "Охотник" на испытаниях разогнался на полосе до 200 км/ч". TASS (in Russian). 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Russian Okhotnik combat drone develops speed of up to 200 km at trials". armyrecognition.com. 26 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  19. ^ Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway and Joseph (23 January 2019). "Is This Russia's 'Hunter' Stealthy Flying Wing Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle?". The Drive. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  20. ^ "Фотография первого прототипа беспилотного летательного аппарата по теме "Охотник"". bmpd.livejournal.com (in Russian). 24 January 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Российский стелс-беспилотник "Охотник" впервые поднялся в воздух". interfax.ru. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  22. ^ "Первый полет новейшего беспилотного летательного аппарата "Охотник"". YouTube. 7 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Russia's Okhotnik UAV makes first flight with Su-57". janes.com. 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  24. ^ "Источник сообщил о строительстве еще трех тяжелых беспилотников "Охотник"". 12 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Источник: на заводе "Залив" начали формировать корпуса будущих кораблей-вертолетоносцев".
  26. ^ "Russia rolls out first flight prototype of state-of-the art Okhotnik heavy strike drone".
  27. ^ a b "Russian attack drone S-70 Okhotnik carried out tests with precision-guided munition". 31 May 2022.
  28. ^ "First photos published of Russia's secret Okhotnik strike drone". rbth.com. 8 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  29. ^ "Russia shows off new military drone, which looks a lot like the U.S. Sentinel drone". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  30. ^ Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick and Tyler (7 August 2019). "Full Analysis Of The First Flight Of Russia's 'Hunter' Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle". The Drive. Archived from the original on 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  31. ^ "MiG and Sukhoi to join forces on Russian UCAV".
  32. ^ a b "Russia Prepares To Flight-test the Sukhoi S-70 UCAV". ainonline.com. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  33. ^ Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick and Tyler (7 August 2019). "Full Analysis Of The First Flight Of Russia's 'Hunter' Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle". The Drive. Archived from the original on 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  34. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (25 August 2019). "Russia's Sukhoi Shows Off Stealthier Vision For Its "Hunter" Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle". The Drive. Archived from the original on 2019-08-25. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  35. ^ Malyasov, Dylan (5 October 2024). "Russian S-70 drone reportedly shot down by friendly fire". Defence Blog. Retrieved 5 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "Воевода Вещает". Telegram. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  37. ^ Davies, Brooke (2024-10-05). "Putin red-faced after his £11,500,000 stealth drone is shot down by own warplane". metro.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  38. ^ Fedorov, Kirill. "Fragments of a unique Russian munition found at the crash site of the S-70 Okhotnik". Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  39. ^ Axe, David. "That Russian Stealth Drone Was On A Bombing Run When It Got Shot Down Over Ukraine". Forbes. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B".
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