Russia’s S-70 Stealth Drone Looks Like a Giant Failure

The Ultimate Drone is Pure Hype – Russia’s S-70 is Nowhere to be Seen: Kudos should be given to the engineers within Russia’s aerospace and defense industry.

It has managed to create a drone that can’t be seen anywhere – and now we’re left to wonder if it actually exists or if Russia has given up on the project.

This, of course is the S-70 Okhotnik-BUnmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)UAVThe rumours and speculation surrounding the ) have been intense, but they seem to have vanished.

Even its designers are now involved in the design of it. “radio silence” or perhaps its stealth is so good it can’t be seen.

S-70: What do We Know

In theory, the S-70 Okhotnik – which means “Hunter” in Russian – is in the same class of drones as the Dassault nEUROn Boeing Loyal WingmanThese are being developed to enhance the capabilities of manned aircraft. fifth-generation stealth fighters.

These drones may also be able to significantly increase the range of sensors and weapons for manned aircraft.

Large wingspan

The S-70 Okhotnik-B drone is not small. According to reports, the UAV weighs in at about 20 tons and has a wingspan measuring 65 feet (20 metres). The UAV is also believed to be powered by either a single AL-31F turbofan – the same used on the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter – or via the improved AL-41F derivative, that is installed on the Su-35S fighters and Su-57 prototype aircraft.

The UAS has an operational range of 6,000km and a combat range 4,000km. Two internal weapons bays can be found in the UAS that can hold up to 2,000 kilograms of unguided and guided munitions.

Loyal Wingman

Russian state media reports that the S-70 was created to be a loyal wingman for the Russian president. Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name “Felon”) jet, One fighter can control up to four UAVs. Drones can travel up to 6,000 km (3,700 miles)

Fly with us!

The S-70 only conducted its debut flight on August 3, 2019, which lasted slightly more than 20 minutes under an operator’s control. A second test flight, lasting more than 30 minutes, was conducted by the drone on September 27, 2019. The pilot controlled a Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter plane. The drone flew in an automated mode at an altitude around 1,600m during that flight. The work on the drone was due to be finished by this summer. In order to start serial production of S-70 Oknotnik-B in the early part next year, it will need to be produced in series.

The Okhotnik-B’s issue is whether Moscow has the resources to continue its development and make large quantities of the drone. Although serial deliveries were expected to start next year, it is not clear how many pre-production or prototype models have been produced.

S-70 May Be Grounded by Sanctions

Moscow has been subject to sanctions since it invaded Ukraine unprovokedly and unwarranted last year. It was hard to get the computer chips and other advanced components for much of its military equipment – and the problem was reportedly so bad last year that Microchips for refrigerators and dishwashers they were used in tanks and armored cars.

The S-70 is unlikely to be revived until that issue is resolved.

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Expertise and Author Experience: Peter Suciu, a Senior Editor at 19FortyFive is based in Michigan. He is a former editor for 19FortyFive. Contributed In twenty years of journalism, he’s been published in more than 40 magazines, newspapers, websites, and had over 3200 pieces published. He writes regularly about international affairs, military hardware, firearms history and cybersecurity. Peter is also an author. Contributing Writer Forbes Clearance Jobs. Follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.

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