Russian Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik unmanned strategic bomber ready for mass production as soon as 2025.

According to information shared on Russian social media on January 29, 2024, Russia is set to commence serial production of the S-70 'Okhotnik' ('Hunter') unmanned strategic bomber in the Novosibirsk region. As announced by Vice-Governor Sergei Semka, the final stage of state trials is slated for completion in the second half of 2024, with production expected to begin as early as 2025.
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The S-70 will be integrated into the aerospace forces, working alongside manned aircraft of both existing and future types, such as the Su-57 fighter and possibly the future Su-75 Checkmate.  (Picture source: Yandex)

Available information indicates that the Russian stealth heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle S-70 "Okhotnik" is in the final stages of development, testing, and improvement. Plans call for mass production in the near future, likely by the end of 2024 or early 2025, with the intention of deploying this UAV for various tasks, both independently and in conjunction with manned aircraft, within the Russian military.

The development of the S-70 started in mid-2018 when the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant completed the assembly of the first experimental UAV S-70. The Okhotnik conducted its inaugural flight on August 3, 2019, followed by a joint flight with the Su-57 fighter at the end of September, demonstrating effective coordination between the pilot and the wingman drone. In December 2021, a second prototype with an altered design was introduced and later completed its flight tests.

In 2019, reports indicated that the third S-70 'Okhotnik' prototype was intended for testing Su-57 weaponry. Successful missile tests and the deployment of the KAB-500 bomb were reported in the Russian media. However, the S-70's capabilities when combined with the Su-57 extend beyond merely increasing the bomb load. The S-70 UAV is classified as a 5th generation aircraft, with several characteristics aligning with potential 6th generation aircraft technology.

Given its significantly lower cost compared to the Su-57, the S-70 'Okhotnik' can undertake various missions without endangering pilot safety. Training a pilot to operate a 5th generation aircraft is comparable in cost to the equipment itself, making the use of a drone economically feasible.

During the summer of 2023, both the customer and project implementers reported that flight tests were in their final stages, with plans to conclude them in 2024 and commence mass production. It was mentioned that the S-70 would be manufactured for both the Russian armed forces and potential foreign buyers who have expressed interest in this equipment.

Recent weeks have seen statements regarding the progress and future of the Okhotnik project. Vice-Governor of the Novosibirsk region, Sergei Syomka, recently mentioned that Okhotnik tests are nearing completion, and mass production is expected to commence in the second half of the year. Consequently, previously disclosed plans remain unchanged and are progressing as intended.

Previously, the Ministry of Defense indicated that the S-70 would be integrated into the aerospace forces, working alongside manned aircraft of both existing and future types, such as the Su-57 fighter and possibly the future Su-75 Checkmate. Additionally, the S-70 "Okhotnik" is expected to be incorporated into the naval aviation of the Russian Navy, as indicated by Admiral Nikolai Evmenov, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.

Designed for various roles, the S-70 would conduct patrols and reconnaissance in both near and distant maritime areas for the Russian Navy, as well as reconnaissance, radar patrol, intelligence gathering, and strike missions for the Russian Air Force. The UAV is expected to complement existing aircraft, coastal radar systems, and reconnaissance satellites, potentially offering advantages over each of these surveillance assets. For example, the S-70 is said to serve as an advanced radar patrol platform to support fighter aircraft, conduct reconnaissance in areas with strong air defenses to allow manned aircraft to remain in safer locations, and provide target designation for attack aircraft, among other functions.

Various Russian sources suggest that the Okhotnik is equipped with, or at least has the capability to carry, optical-electronic and radar systems. These features enable the UAV to conduct surveillance and search operations for ground, surface, or airborne targets, allowing it to determine their coordinates and provide target designation. There's also a possibility of incorporating electronic reconnaissance equipment to expand its detection capabilities.

The S-70 includes electronic systems such as a radar system with a communication device that enables remote target designation and expands the radar field of other aircraft without entering enemy air defense coverage. (Picture source: Yandex)

Equipped with an onboard electronics system developed by the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern (KRET), the S-70 includes systems such as an autopilot, an information and management system, a radar system with a communication system that enables remote target designation and expands the radar field of other aircraft without entering enemy air defense coverage, an automatic control system with remote control capabilities, a diagnostic and monitoring system for avionics and other equipment, and an inertial satellite navigation system guided by GLONASS.

The UAV's design allows for the potential replacement of existing equipment and the installation of new components to address specific mission requirements.

Comparable in size and weight to some manned aircraft, the drone's physical structure follows a "flying wing" design with a wingspan of around 19 meters and a length of 14 meters. The estimated take-off weight of the S-70 ranges between 23 and 25 tons, with a payload capacity estimated between 3 and 5 tons, or even up to 8 tons, depending on the sources.

Regarding weaponry, the S-70 UAV can carry weaponry within an internal payload compartment provided in the airframe, while additional pylons under the wing are reportedly available, although they may impact the S-70's overall performance. Russian sources suggest that the UAV has demonstrated the use of a 500 kg free-fall bomb on simulated targets, with expectations of compatibility with a wider range of munitions, including 250 and 500 caliber bombs, guided and unguided bombs up to 1,000 kg, guided glide bombs such as the Drel cluster bomb developed for the Su-57, as well as air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles. In air combat scenarios, the S-70 is said to be designed to deploy the supersonic X-missile 74M2, and for air defense suppression, the X-58 anti-radar missile.

The S-70 is powered by a single Saturn AL-41FM1 turbofan engine, and it is expected that production models will feature a flat nozzle to potentially enhance stealth and other performance features. Its aerodynamic configuration suggests subsonic flight capabilities, the ability to reach high altitudes, and achieve extended ranges. However, specific tactical and technical details have not been publicly disclosed.

In 2019, the practical ceiling of the S-70 'Okhotnik' was reported as 10.5 km, but recent estimates now suggest it can reach altitudes of up to 18,000 meters. Similarly, there have been varying figures regarding its flight range, with values ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 kilometers. The most recent estimate, around 6,000 kilometers, appears to be the most accurate. Notably, the S-70 is said to be able to operate continuously for over a day without the need for refueling.

The maximum speed of the S-70 has also seen fluctuations in reported figures. Initially, it was declared to be 920 km/h, but subsequent statements indicated speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h. The latest estimates suggest that at low altitudes, the S-70 can achieve speeds of approximately 1,400 km/h. In terms of cost, the development program for the S-70 'Okhotnik' is reported to be around 1.6 billion rubles ($17,856,000).