Russian new gen neuron style UAV almost ready for conventionnal use in Ukraine representing a real threat.

Do you remember the NEUROn assault drone? Well, the Russians are developing a similar-looking drone called the S-70 Okhotnik, which translates to 'Hunter.' The heavy attack drone Okhotnik is in the stage of preliminary testing, while preparations are underway for the production of an installation batch of drones. This was stated by the Deputy Head of Rostec, Vladimir Artyakov. This drone was officially presented during the Army-2024 exhibition, but it is not yet complete.
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The S-70 Okhotnik-B, also called Hunter-B, is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle made in Russia (Picture source: youtube video capture )

The heavy S-70 Okhotnik drone, developed for the Russian military, is still in the stage of preliminary testing with several flight prototypes involved. There is no information on the duration of this stage. Statements that preparations are underway for the production of a pilot batch at the Novosibirsk factory appeared in late November last year, along with a message about the development of a training program for Okhotnik operators.

The heavy attack drone S-70 Okhotnik was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and first took flight in 2019. According to data from open sources, the drone weighs about 20 tons, has a wingspan of 19 meters, and a maximum declared flight range of 6,000 kilometers. The drone is capable of carrying guided bombs, missiles, and free-fall bombs in its internal compartments and external hardpoints.

Last summer, there were reports that one of the Okhotnik prototypes had been tested in bombing action in Ukraine; the drone conducted a series of attacks against military facilities of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

The S-70 Okhotnik-B, also called Hunter-B, is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle made in Russia (Picture source: topwar.ru )

In 2022, Russia tested the S-70 Okhotnik-B in an air-to-air combat simulation at the Ashuluk training grounds, an exercise aimed at assessing its compatibility with the stealth fighter Su-57 in an unmanned wingman role. This drone belongs to the same category of drones as the Dassault nEUROn and the Boeing Loyal Wingman, which can act as force multipliers by enhancing the capabilities of manned aircraft, particularly 5th generation stealth fighters. These drones can significantly extend the range of sensors and weapons of manned fighters, allowing for greater area coverage and more eliminations per mission.

Russia, which was particularly behind, seems to be catching up despite sanctions and embargoes, thus representing new capabilities. The development of this heavy drone with anti-air capabilities began in 2011, the first images appeared in 2019, and today it is estimated that a massive deployment in the forces could be possible by 2027 in parallel with the SU-57 whose first operational flights are now known. However, the Russian Okhotnik drone faces the same financial challenges that prevent Moscow from mass-adopting its own advanced weapons, such as the T-14 Armata tank and the Su-57 stealth fighter.

A fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 jet fighter performs a flight at the MAKS 2019 International Aviation and Space Salon, in the city of Zhukovsky in 2019. (Picture source : Photo: TASS / Sergei Bobylev)