Long-awaited breakthrough: what really is "Hunter"?
Recently, the network posted the first photo of a promising Russian UAV, known under the designation C-70 "Hunter". Despite the first doubts about its authenticity, the experts eventually agreed that this was really his. Moreover, soon we were pleased with the new portion of the now high-quality photos, where the device can be seen in all its glory.
"Hunter" and his prey
Immediately it is worth making a reservation that the material does not claim to be the ultimate truth and is an attempt to understand what the notorious UAV really is. Caution in this matter will not interfere, as it is simply impossible to find any detailed information about the new development of Sukhoi. The project is extremely secret, even by the standards of the Russian military-industrial complex, not accustomed to sharing details with the general public.
Suffice it to recall how long the appearance of the apparatus remained secret. By the way, some users of the Network have already called the new photos “leakage”. True or not - we do not know.
According to open source data, the Hunter is a heavy assault unmanned aerial vehicle. It is developed from 2012 year. The first run-out was made in June 2018 of the year, and in November the UAV made the first run on the runway on the eve of the first flight. Recall that running tests provide an opportunity to evaluate the performance of engines, control systems and on-board equipment. Engineers receive important information about how ailerons, elevators and directions work. It is also worth noting that, according to data from various sources, some of the onboard UAV systems are now being tested on the T-50-3, one of the prototypes of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. At the moment, this car can be easily distinguished from other prototypes by a new color: on it you can discern the silhouette of the “Hunter”.
In general, they often talk about the unification of the onboard equipment of the Su-57 and the Okhotnik. This is even somewhat strange due to the conceptual differences between the two complexes. "Hunter", despite the fact that he is sometimes referred to as the sixth generation, is not a fighter. At the same time, as far as one can judge, specific plans to create on the basis of the Su-57 drone also no. At least for now.
What is the concept of the UAV? At its core, as can be judged by its appearance, is stealth technology. The mass of the device is presumably 20 000 kilograms. Presumably, the “Hunter” will reach 1000 kilometers per hour, and its range will be up to six thousand kilometers.
According to reports, the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" has already created the following systems for the new UAV:
- information management complex;
- automatic control system;
- equipment for interfacing with general object equipment;
- a system for monitoring and diagnosing onboard equipment;
- inertial satellite navigation system.
Most surprisingly, a number of sources cite as a date for the adoption of the “Hunter” into service 2020 a year or even earlier. At the same time, everyone familiar with history modern aviation a person knows that from the moment of the first flight of an aviation complex (which the “Okhotnik” has not yet completed) and before being put into service, ten or more years can pass. To this it is worth adding at least five more years to bring to a truly combat-ready state and another ten years, until all the originally planned aviation weapons are integrated into the complex. In this regard, the reports of the central Russian media are involuntarily recalled on the day of the first flight of the T-50, when the presenters announced that the aircraft was “fully operational”. It is also worth noting that the T-50 program and the Hunter program may have different tasks. If the latter was initially positioned as a prototype of a fighter of the future, then the new UAV is, rather, a stand for testing technologies with which Russia has a very difficult relationship (we are talking specifically about UAVs).
Types and analogues
If at the sight of the “Hunter” you have experienced a feeling of deja vu, do not be surprised. The creation of such complexes is one of the main aviation trends of recent years. You should not confuse the new UAV and the old Russian “Scat”, which was developed (is it?) By the MiG company and which was previously presented as a model. It has external differences, although, for example, the estimated mass of the “Skate” is also up to 20 000 kilograms.
The most famous "relative" of the Hunter is the American Northrop Grumman X-47B UAV, which made its first flight back in the 2011 year. Recall that this project has already been closed after the construction of two samples. But behind the back of the X-47B were quite real achievements. Back in July 2013, the drone first landed on the deck of an aircraft carrier. And in April, 2015, the X-47B, performed the first-ever procedure for refueling in the air in a fully automatic manner. The reason for the folding test was the high cost. Maybe there were some critical design flaws, but nothing is known about them.
Of the European fellows of the Hunter, we can recall the French Dassault nEUROn, which performed the first flight in 2012, as well as the British Taranis, capable of autonomously taking off and landing, as well as performing an autonomous flight en route. However, the Chinese leap in this area looks even more surprising. Recall that in recent times, China has revealed to the world a whole family of large unobtrusive UAVs. Recall that in January of this year, Chinese television presented a flight sample of the latest Sky Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. Similar to the Russian UAV, but smaller in size.
Prospects for the "Hunter"
Someone sees in such devices a prototype of future combat aircraft: unmanned, unobtrusive, multifunctional. On the other hand, developers from different countries just have to solve the main tasks. First, any (or almost any UAV) can be neutralized without direct physical influence by intercepting control. The task in most cases is very difficult, but not impossible. Recall that the 9 of December 2011 of the year on Iranian television showed footage of the captured American RQ-170 Sentinel without visible damage - one of the most secret, expensive and complex UAVs in the world.
The way out can be the autonomization of drones through the widespread use of neural networks. However, this already raises questions of a moral and ethical plan. Indeed, in this case, only the robot will decide who will live and who will not. Therefore, as a possible scenario, experts are increasingly calling the concept that a single human-controlled fighter be able to control and target a group of UAVs. Perhaps Russia also decided to go this route. In this case, the rumors about the maximum unification of the electronic equipment of the Hunter and the Su-57 are also understandable. However, it is worth repeating that so far all these are only plans for the future.
"Hunter" and his prey
Immediately it is worth making a reservation that the material does not claim to be the ultimate truth and is an attempt to understand what the notorious UAV really is. Caution in this matter will not interfere, as it is simply impossible to find any detailed information about the new development of Sukhoi. The project is extremely secret, even by the standards of the Russian military-industrial complex, not accustomed to sharing details with the general public.
Suffice it to recall how long the appearance of the apparatus remained secret. By the way, some users of the Network have already called the new photos “leakage”. True or not - we do not know.
According to open source data, the Hunter is a heavy assault unmanned aerial vehicle. It is developed from 2012 year. The first run-out was made in June 2018 of the year, and in November the UAV made the first run on the runway on the eve of the first flight. Recall that running tests provide an opportunity to evaluate the performance of engines, control systems and on-board equipment. Engineers receive important information about how ailerons, elevators and directions work. It is also worth noting that, according to data from various sources, some of the onboard UAV systems are now being tested on the T-50-3, one of the prototypes of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. At the moment, this car can be easily distinguished from other prototypes by a new color: on it you can discern the silhouette of the “Hunter”.
In general, they often talk about the unification of the onboard equipment of the Su-57 and the Okhotnik. This is even somewhat strange due to the conceptual differences between the two complexes. "Hunter", despite the fact that he is sometimes referred to as the sixth generation, is not a fighter. At the same time, as far as one can judge, specific plans to create on the basis of the Su-57 drone also no. At least for now.
What is the concept of the UAV? At its core, as can be judged by its appearance, is stealth technology. The mass of the device is presumably 20 000 kilograms. Presumably, the “Hunter” will reach 1000 kilometers per hour, and its range will be up to six thousand kilometers.
According to reports, the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies" has already created the following systems for the new UAV:
- information management complex;
- automatic control system;
- equipment for interfacing with general object equipment;
- a system for monitoring and diagnosing onboard equipment;
- inertial satellite navigation system.
Most surprisingly, a number of sources cite as a date for the adoption of the “Hunter” into service 2020 a year or even earlier. At the same time, everyone familiar with history modern aviation a person knows that from the moment of the first flight of an aviation complex (which the “Okhotnik” has not yet completed) and before being put into service, ten or more years can pass. To this it is worth adding at least five more years to bring to a truly combat-ready state and another ten years, until all the originally planned aviation weapons are integrated into the complex. In this regard, the reports of the central Russian media are involuntarily recalled on the day of the first flight of the T-50, when the presenters announced that the aircraft was “fully operational”. It is also worth noting that the T-50 program and the Hunter program may have different tasks. If the latter was initially positioned as a prototype of a fighter of the future, then the new UAV is, rather, a stand for testing technologies with which Russia has a very difficult relationship (we are talking specifically about UAVs).
Types and analogues
If at the sight of the “Hunter” you have experienced a feeling of deja vu, do not be surprised. The creation of such complexes is one of the main aviation trends of recent years. You should not confuse the new UAV and the old Russian “Scat”, which was developed (is it?) By the MiG company and which was previously presented as a model. It has external differences, although, for example, the estimated mass of the “Skate” is also up to 20 000 kilograms.
The most famous "relative" of the Hunter is the American Northrop Grumman X-47B UAV, which made its first flight back in the 2011 year. Recall that this project has already been closed after the construction of two samples. But behind the back of the X-47B were quite real achievements. Back in July 2013, the drone first landed on the deck of an aircraft carrier. And in April, 2015, the X-47B, performed the first-ever procedure for refueling in the air in a fully automatic manner. The reason for the folding test was the high cost. Maybe there were some critical design flaws, but nothing is known about them.
Of the European fellows of the Hunter, we can recall the French Dassault nEUROn, which performed the first flight in 2012, as well as the British Taranis, capable of autonomously taking off and landing, as well as performing an autonomous flight en route. However, the Chinese leap in this area looks even more surprising. Recall that in recent times, China has revealed to the world a whole family of large unobtrusive UAVs. Recall that in January of this year, Chinese television presented a flight sample of the latest Sky Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. Similar to the Russian UAV, but smaller in size.
Prospects for the "Hunter"
Someone sees in such devices a prototype of future combat aircraft: unmanned, unobtrusive, multifunctional. On the other hand, developers from different countries just have to solve the main tasks. First, any (or almost any UAV) can be neutralized without direct physical influence by intercepting control. The task in most cases is very difficult, but not impossible. Recall that the 9 of December 2011 of the year on Iranian television showed footage of the captured American RQ-170 Sentinel without visible damage - one of the most secret, expensive and complex UAVs in the world.
The way out can be the autonomization of drones through the widespread use of neural networks. However, this already raises questions of a moral and ethical plan. Indeed, in this case, only the robot will decide who will live and who will not. Therefore, as a possible scenario, experts are increasingly calling the concept that a single human-controlled fighter be able to control and target a group of UAVs. Perhaps Russia also decided to go this route. In this case, the rumors about the maximum unification of the electronic equipment of the Hunter and the Su-57 are also understandable. However, it is worth repeating that so far all these are only plans for the future.
Information