Only time will tell if the Su-57/S-70 combination will represent the level of threat Moscow would like to purport.
While the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program hosts a range of emerging technologies, other nations are also looking to the future to field competitive near-peers. President Donald Trump recently discussed NGAD’s Collective Combat Aircraft (CCA) component, which is comprised of a slew of “loyal wingmen” UAVs designed to fly alongside a sixth-generation fighter jet. The concept of dispatching lethal drones to operate in this capacity is being mirrored elsewhere. Russia is developing its own S-70 Okhotnik stealth attack UAV to fly alongside its homegrown Su-57 fighter platform. While on paper the Russian drone reportedly possesses stealth features, impressive speed, and long-range capabilities, the true success of this UAV series cannot be determined until the weapon is actually fielded. Based on Russia’s diminished production capacity and limited resources amidst the ongoing Ukraine invasion, prospects for the S-70’s timely introduction to service remain murky.
What We Know About the S-70 Drone
Referred to as the “Hunter-B,” the Sukhoi-designed Okhotnik drone was first conceptualized in 2010 as a collaborative project between the manufacturer and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Some reports indicate that the Okhotnik was heavily derived from a 2005 prototype designed by MiG (Mikoyan-Gurevich) dubbed the “Skat.” The first prototype of the Hunter-B was revealed in 2017, which also marked the first time the UAV’s flying wing configuration was showcased. In 2018, the Russian drone carried out its initial testing phases, where it allegedly flew at speeds in excess of 2,000km/h. According to Russian reports, the Okhotnik features advanced radar-absorbent coatings and a reduced radar cross-section, contributing to its stealth designation. The UAV is meant to be able to survive in contested environments, making it difficult to detect a major advantage.
According to Army Recognition, the Russian-made AL-41F turbofan engine powers the UAV, the same engine that also powers the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet. In terms of size, the Ohotnik is pretty massive. Weighing close to 20 tons, the Russian drone is four times heavier than its counterparts, including the X-47B. When it comes to armament power, some Russian outlets claim that the S-70 could deploy the Kh-59 Mk2 standoff cruise missile, which is estimated to be capable of reaching targets at least 150 miles away. Part of the Kh-59 series of heavy tactical missiles, this variant can carry a 500-pound warhead.
Back in 2021, the Russian Ministry of Defense initially stated that the Ohotnik drones would be integrated with Su-57 “Felon” squadrons. Andrey Yelchaninov, first deputy chairman of the board of Moscow’s Russian-Military Industrial Commission, described the plan: “These planes and drones can interact not only with each other but also in various types of combat formations.” He added that “within a very short timeframe, there will be a possibility to control several Okhotnik drones from the Su-57 cockpit.” While on paper the Su-57 is designated a fifth-generation platform, the jet series has not performed as expected in Ukraine. Only time will tell if the Su-57/S-70 combination will represent the level of threat Moscow would like to purport.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
By Alex Beltyukov, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
