Russia's Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B Drone Could Dominate—If It Ever Reaches the Battlefield (2024)

Summary: Russia's development of the Sukhoi S-70, also known as Hunter-B, signals a significant leap towards integrating advanced stealth and combat capabilities into its drone arsenal. Designed in collaboration between Sukhoi and MiG, the S-70 promises to be a formidable presence on the battlefield, potentially altering the dynamics of aerial combat with its stealth features, impressive speed, and long-range capabilities. Despite these advancements, the drone's deployment faces challenges, notably due to international sanctions that have impacted Russia's ability to procure crucial components, raising questions about the feasibility and timing of the S-70 reaching operational status.

The S-70 Hunter-B: Russia's Answer to Next-Generation Drone Warfare

Drone warfarehas taken center stage in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both sides in the conflict use a wide range of domestic and imported unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to pursue their war efforts.

Moscow relies on homegrown drones supplemented by Iran-designed counterparts, while Kyiv uses its own UAVs alongside weapons imported from the West.

The Kremlin has long claimed that when it arrives, Russia’s Sukhoi S-70 drone will dominate on the battlefield. Often referred to as Hunter-B, when thisstealth-heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicledoes enter service, NATOwill surely have to take note.

The History of the S-70

According to Russian state-run media sources, theOhotnik S-70 dronehas been under development for roughly fifteen years.

In 2011, manufacturer Sukhoi was selected by Russia’s Defense Ministry to design and create a new unmanned reconnaissance and attack drone for its armed forces. Currently, the upcoming UAV is being created by Sukhoi and MiG collaboratively at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association. The manufacturers debuted the S-70 in 2017, showcasing the weapon’s flying wing configuration. Within a few years, thedronesuccessfully carried out its maiden flight and flew above the Chkalov State Flight Test Center in Akhtubinsk at an altitude of 600 meters.

In 2019, a Su-57 prototype was spottedflying alongside an S-70. According to Russian officials, the Su-57 is being used to test the S-70’s avionics systems. Russia’s Ministry of Defense published footage depicting the Hunter-B drone flying next to a Su-57 to test the jet’s radar and its ability to use long-range air-launched weapons.

Specs and Capabilities

TheHunter-B droneweighs approximately 20 tons and is powered by the same AL-31 turbojet engine that is used by the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet. With this engine, the UAV can reach speeds greater than 620 miles per hour, with a range of nearly 3,730 miles. Some Russian outlets suggest 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.

The new drone is expected to fly alongside theSu-57stealth fighter in a wingman role, similar to plans for the U.S. Air Force’s upcoming Next Generation Air Dominance program. 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.”

Will the S-70 Be Deployed Anytime Soon?

Russian defense contractor Rostecexaminedthe artificial intelligence datalink that enables the loyal wingman connection between the S-70 and the Su-57:

“AI-based technology enables noise-immune coding through the use of parallel channels. This is the ‘wrap’ of the technology. Its structure includes multiple interleaving of symbols, time synchronization during transfer, simultaneous transmission of data in all directions [air-to-ground or air-to-air], and increasing the range of transmitted data.”

Since Russia firstinvadedUkraine more than two years ago, the international community has imposed heavy sanctions on the Kremlin, crippling its defense output capabilities. In fact, Russia has so greatly struggled to acquire computer chips and other components necessary to sustain its military equipment that it has resorted to repurposing microchips from dishwashers and refrigerators.

Moscow’s ability to produce the S-70 drones on schedule hinges on how it confronts its manufacturing limitations. Russia could resort to alternate means of acquiring the materials needed to get the Hunter-B drone to the frontlines. For example, Russian officials have depended on theirIranian counterpartsto fulfill Moscow’s drone needs over the last two years. Tehran could contribute to Moscow’s production efforts regarding the S-70 drone as well.

Russia has a tendency to exaggerate its military equipment’s capabilities, so the relative sophistication of the S-70 may be overblown. Considering Moscow’s lack of progress in the Russia-Ukraine war, the imminent deployment of the Hunter-B drone seems unlikely.

Russia's Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B Drone Could Dominate—If It Ever Reaches the Battlefield (1)

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.

Russia's Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B Drone Could Dominate—If It Ever Reaches the Battlefield (2024)

FAQs

What is the range of Sukhoi S 70 Okhotnik B? ›

Its operational range is enhanced by the AL-31 jet engine, the same used in the Su-27 fighter jet, allowing it to reach speeds exceeding 620 miles per hour and a range of nearly 6,000 km.

How fast is the s70 Okhotnik? ›

The maximum speed of the drone is reportedly 1,000 km/h while carrying its payload internally.

Does Russia make military drones? ›

Russia's fleet of kamikaze drones is growing. During the first year of the invasion, the Kremlin organized regular deliveries of Shahed kamikadze drones from Iran. Moscow has since set up domestic production facilities and is now far less dependent on Tehran.

What is the combat range of Sukhoi? ›

The Su-30MKI has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission.

What is the range of the S 70 helicopter? ›

Medium Utility Helicopter
max. Cruise Speed282 km/h152 kts 175 mph
max. Speed (vne)361 km/h195 kts 224 mph
Service Ceiling5.791 m19.000 ft
Rate of climb472 m/min1550 ft/min
Range591 km319 NM 367 mi.

How fast could the SR-71 theoretically go? ›

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is, to date, the fastest airplane ever to streak across the sky, even though it's more than 30 years old. Capable of speeds over 2200 miles per hour—that's more than three times the speed of sound—the SR-71 can fly at altitudes above 80,000 feet.

How fast is the Yak 130? ›

Maximum true airspeed is Mach 0.93 (572 knots), service ceiling is 12,500 m (41,000 ft) and load factors are from −3 to +9 g. Typical Take-off speed and distance in a "clean" configuration are 209 km/h (113 kn) and 550 m (1,800 ft), landing figures are 191 km/h (103 kn) and 750 m (2,460 ft), respectively.

How fast is the cm400 missile? ›

The missile, powered by a single-stage solid-fuel rocket, can reach speeds of Mach 4 during the terminal phase of flight. The CM-400AKG carries an 880-lb (400-kg) warhead and can...

Who has more FPV drones, Ukraine or Russia? ›

What Russia doesn't have more of, is drones. One close count of publicized strikes by explosives-laden first-person-view drones reveals that Ukraine holds a steady 300-drone-a-month lead in confirmed FPV strikes.

How many drones does China have? ›

BEIJING - The number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in China increased 32 percent year-on-year to exceed 1.26 million by the end of 2023, data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) shows.

How many drones does the US have? ›

The Department currently operates more than 11,000 UAS in support of domestic training events and overseas contingency missions. These aircraft range in size from the small RQ-11B Raven to the largest RQ/MQ-4 Global Hawk/Triton, which weighs more than 32,000 pounds.

What is the combat range of SU 75? ›

According to the jet's designers, the Checkmate is designed to fly with a range of up to 3,000 km (1,864 mi), carry a payload of up 7,400 kg (16,314 lb), and reach speeds of up to Mach 1.8 to 2.0.

What is the range of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 95b? ›

Variations of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft

Both variants are to be built in standard and long range versions. The Superjet 100 has maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.81 and maximum altitude of 12,500m. The range of the Superjet 100-95 is 3,279km and 4,620km in the Superjet 100-95LR version.

What is the range of Russian anti aircraft? ›

S-400 missile system
S-400 Triumf NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler
Ground clearance485 mm (19.1 in)
Operational range400 km (250 mi) – 40N6E missile 150 km (93 mi) – 48N6(E) missile 200 km (120 mi) – 48N6M(E2) missile 240 km (150 mi) – 48N6DM(E3) missile 40 km (25 mi) – 9M96 missile 120 km (75 mi) – 9M96M(E2)) missile
17 more rows

What is the most advanced Sukhoi fighter jet? ›

The Sukhoi SU-57: Russia's Most Advanced Fighter.

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