Russian media reports state, the Su-57 fighter jet will control up to four Okhotnik S-70 stealth drones during flight.
According to a source from the Russian arms, “It is assuming that the fighter will carry with him from two to four Hunters”.
Russia has not officially confirmed this development. Also, it is difficult to find an accurate specification for the S-70’s stealth attack drone. The capabilities of the aircraft was showcase in a video last year which showed an autonomous flight of a Su-57 with a C-70. Military experts opine that both aircraft have similar and connected systems and subsystems.
Field sources speculate that the approximate weight of the stealth attack drone may be between 20 to 25 tons and may have a speed of up to 1000 km per hour.
So far, there is no clarity as to what will be the armament of the S-70. Also, there is no information as to what stage the drone tests have reached and the estimated date for any potential serial production. However, Russian sources claim that a couple of unmanned aerial vehicles having stealth capabilities are slated to enter service in the middle of this decade.
According to a report from Naked Science, Russia’s Sukhoi is working on a program to build the Su-57 as a “drone carrier”, with the “cargo” being more than a dozen drones.
Last year, according to sources, the Okhotnk S-70 would enter service with the Russian aerospace forces sometime this year. Sources have preferred the cover of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter.
When asked to respond to comments on the stealth attack drone, Okhotnk S-70, Sergei Dronov, the deputy commander-in-chief of Russia’s aerospace forces, said, Okhotnik would use guided ammunition and strike the enemy at strategic depth. He also confirmed that Russian drones are active in the Syrian theatre of war but did not confirm whether the Okhotnik has been deployed there.
