Contract for Russian S-70 Okhotnik strategic drone serial supplies to be signed in late 2022.

PATRIOT PARK /Moscow Region/, August 17. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The state contract for the supply of S-70 Okhotnik unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is planned to be signed in late 2022. The delivery of drones is expected to begin in 2024, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the Rostec state hi-tech corporation) Yuri Slyusar told TASS at the Army 2022 forum.

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S-70 Okhotnik made its maiden 20-minute flight on August 3, 2019. It then made a flight together with a Su-57 fighter jet. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

“As of today, two prototype drones have been manufactured under the R&D work. Their flight tests will begin this year and also we plan to sign the state contract for Okhotnik UAV serial supplies from 2024,” Slyusar said.

According to the CEO, the drone is currently undergoing ground trials, including frequency response tests, in accordance with the program.

The S-70 Okhotnik UAV developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau has a flying wing scheme and stealth technologies, which reduces its radar signature. According to open sources, the drone has a takeoff weight of 20 tons and a maximum flight speed of about 1,000 km/h (621 mph). Batch supplies are planned to start in 2024.

The Okhotnik made its maiden flight on August 3, 2019. The flight lasted more than 20 minutes under operator control. On September 27, 2019, it made a flight together with a Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet.

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