While much is being made of the forthcoming “Loyal Wingman” program here in the US, a project in which a manned jet is controlling one or more unmanned jets to increase the effectiveness of the airborne package, Russia may soon be unveiling its own “Tavaryš” or Comrade system later this year.
The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (Russian: Сухой С-70 “Охотник”, ‘Hunter’), also referred to as Hunter-B, is a Russian stealth heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) being developed by Sukhoi and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG as a sixth-generation aircraft project. The drone is based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat, designed by MiG, and encompassing some technologies of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet. In the future, it is planned to act under the control of pilots of Su-57 jets, similarly to the USAF Skyborg program.
The Okhotnik has been under development since at least 2011, when Sukhoi was selected by the Russian Defense Ministry to lead a program for a new heavy unmanned reconnaissance and attack drone. The new UCAV is being jointly developed by MiG and Sukhoi, based on data of the earlier Mikoyan Skat UCAV program. The work is carried out by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO), part of the Sukhoi company. In the documents, the drone is characterized as a “sixth-generation unmanned aerial vehicle”.
The first mock-up intended for ground tests was created in 2014. Prototype of the drone was first revealed in July 2017, showing the drone’s flying wing configuration.
In November 2018, the drone performed first series of taxiing, speeding and stopping tests in fully autonomous mode at a runway of the NAPO plant. During the runs, it has reached a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
On January 18th, 2019, the third flyable Su-57 prototype (bort no. 053) was spotted wearing a new digital camouflage paint scheme, with digital silhouette of the Okhotnik on its top and underside and a unique markings on the vertical tail showing the shape of a UCAV flying alongside the shape of Su-57 with a lightning bolt (universally used to show electronic connectivity and data sharing) between the two. On January 24th, 2019, first flyable prototype of the drone was seen towed at the NAPO plant. According to Russian officials, the Su-57 is being used as a flying laboratory for the testing of the Okhotnik’s avionics systems.
In late May 2019, Okhotnik performed a series of flight tests during which the drone flew several meters above a runway of the NAPO plant. On August 3rd, 2019, Okhotnik performed its maiden flight. The drone flew for about 20 minutes at an altitude of 600 meters above Chkalov State Flight Test Center in Akhtubinsk, and made several circles around the airfield. On August 7th, the Russian Defense Ministry released a video of the first flight.
On September 27th, 2019, Russian MoD released a video showcasing the first flight of Okhotnik alongside a Su-57. Reportedly the UAV operated autonomously and flew for more than 30 minutes interacting with the Su-57 to test extending the fighter’s radar and target designation range for use of long-range air-launched weapons from the outside of enemy air defenses.
On February 12th, 2021, it was reported that three additional prototypes were under construction at the Novosibirsk Chkalov Aviation Plant, according to a source in the military-industrial complex. The second model is a modified copy of the 1st prototype while the 3rd and 4th prototypes will be identical to the serial production unit. The improvements will relate to the systems of onboard radio-electronic equipment and structural elements of the air frame. The three additional prototypes should be ready for flight tests in 2022 and 2023. The source in the military-industrial complex also said that the serial Hunter will receive a standard flat nozzle to further reduce their thermal and radar signature.
On February 28th, 2021, it was reported that the Okhotnik will be used aboard the future Project 23900 Ivan Rogov amphibious assault ships, capable of carrying four Okhotnik drones, for reconnaissance and strike missions. The second prototype was rolled out in December 2021, with a new flat jet nozzle.
Okhotnik reportedly tested unguided weapons like free-fall bombs in 2021 and carried out tests with precision-guided munitions in 2022. In August 2023, it was reported that state tests for the Okhotnik will be completed by the end of 2023, with the drone expected to enter mass production in 2024.
With both Hobby Master and Air Force 1 having already produced several versions of the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” fifth-generation fighter, it remains to be seen if one or perhaps both modelmakers will sit up and take notice of this important technological development and decide to offer either a stand alone version of the “Hunter” or possibly create a gift set that combines both a manned and unmanned aircraft suited for the upcoming holiday shopping season.