Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B

S-70 Okhotnik-B
S-70 prototype 071 taxiing after 2019 maiden flight
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association Plant
Designer Sukhoi
Mikoyan
First flight 3 August 2019[1]
Introduction 2024
Status In development
Primary user Russian Aerospace Forces
Produced 2019–present
Number built 2
Developed from Mikoyan Skat
Sukhoi Su-57
External videos
Russian MoD Okhotnik coverage
video icon Okhotnik's maiden flight on YouTube
video icon Extended video of the first test flight on YouTube
video icon Okhotnik's first flight with Su-57 on YouTube
S-70 Okhotnik-B

The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Russian: Сухой С-70 "Охотник", lit. 'Hunter'), also referred to as Hunter-B,[2][3] is a Russian heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that was being developed during the 2010s by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG.[4] Several prototypes underwent flight testing in 2019–2023[5] and, as of January 2024, it was projected that production could begin as early as the second half of 2024.[6]

The drone is based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat, designed by MiG,[4] encompassing some technologies of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet.[7][8] As of 2021, it was projected to act under the control of pilots of Su-57 jets in a potential future version, similar to the USAF Skyborg program.[9][10]

First operational use was reported in July 2023 as a reconnaissance flight over Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[11] and an out of control S-70 was deliberately shot down by a Russian Su-57 over Ukraine in October 2024.[12][13][14]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference First flight was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Russian combat UAV Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik made first flight | August 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year". 5 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b "RSK MiG will work together with Sukhoi on a future unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), using experience gained on its Skat programme". Flight Global. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ "ТАСС: испытания беспилотника "Охотник" завершатся в 2023 году" [TASS: tests of the Okhotnyk drone will end in 2023]. военное.рф (in Russian). 9 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference aexru20240125 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "How Good Is Russia's New Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B "Hunter" Stealth Drone? | The National Interest". 17 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Su-57 and Okhotnik was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Russia is testing its own 'loyal wingman' drone for its Su-57 stealth fighter". businessinsider.com. 7 December 2020.
  10. ^ "S-70 Okhotnik: news from the Russian Loyal Wingman". aviacionline.com. 14 December 2021.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference bulmil202307 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference defence-blog-2024-10-06 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Rare Russian S-70 Okhotnik Stealth Drone Reportedly Shot Down Over Donetsk in Ukraine, Global Defense News, 6 October 2024, retrieved 7 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Mystery of Russia's secret weapon downed in Ukraine". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.