Western analysts had speculated that the Russian S-70 okhotnik, produced by Sukhoi and the Russian Aircraft Corporation, would have had the main task of penetrating the opposing defenses (bubbles A2 / AD) and designate the targets to be destroyed.
Apparently the S-70 (expected to go online in 2024) can perform other tasks as well.
In fact, according to what was reported by the government news agency Tass, the S-70 will also be used as a long-range interceptor of enemy aircraft.
"It is also expected to have a completely autonomous mode of operation and be able to search, report and attack certain types of targets"Tass added. However, Russian doctrine does not provide for the S-70 to be engaged in aerial combat.
In test flights carried out with inert air-to-air missiles, the drone cooperated with the 5th generation Su-57 fighter (the drone should play the role of wingman, being controlled by the fighter pilot).
The drone developed by Sukhoï would have a wingspan of 20 meters for a length of 14 meters. With a take-off weight of 20 tons, it would be able to fly at a speed of 1.000 km / h with a range of around 6.000 km. The S-70 was built with extensive use of composite materials (the entire surface of the drone should be covered with a coating capable of absorbing radar waves) and has a payload of 2.000 kg, in two internal holds. The Russian drone could carry the air-to-surface missile, specially modified to be carried inside the holds of the UCAVs, the 38 kg KTRV Kh-500M and the R-77M long-range air-to-air missiles (with a range of 200 km).
Images: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
