19fortyfive about the Russian "Hunter"
The promising Russian unmanned aerial vehicle S-70 Okhotnik naturally attracts the attention of foreign experts and the specialized press. So, the American edition 19fortyfive.com ("1945") is closely following the progress of the project. It regularly publishes its articles on the S-70 and has addressed the topic twice in recent days. In recent articles, the production and technical prospects of the new drone, and also assessed the possibility of its use in a real military operation.
Should I start to get nervous?
A few days ago, the publication published an article by Steve Balestrieri "Russia's S-70 Stealth Drone: Should the US Military Start Sweating?" (“Russian S-70 Stealth Drone: Should the US Military Get Nervous?”). It considered the features of the two prototypes built, known production plans, etc. In addition, interesting conclusions were drawn.
The main conclusion is quite simple. 1945 believes that the Western military should not panic - at least not for now. In particular, because the publication tends to consider the well-known characteristics of the new UAV critically, because Moscow has a "tradition" to overestimate the capabilities of its technology.
The publication acknowledges that the second experienced "Hunter" is noticeably different from the first and should surpass it in terms of stealth. However, it is noted that this is only a prototype, which only has to pass all the tests on the ground and in the air. Only during these events will he show the real characteristics of stealth.
Another potential problem that could interfere with the S-70 project is the economy and production. According to 1945, Russia's ability to finance the development, design and manufacture of new products may be in question. Economic problems and Western sanctions have a negative impact on all these processes, which is why the Russian industry lags behind foreign ones in the production of weapons and equipment, as well as spare parts for them.
Nevertheless, S. Balestrieri does not rule out a positive scenario. If the “Russian boasting” has any real basis, the S-70 UAV will be a dangerous and deadly adversary.
It is assumed that Moscow sees the progress of the United States in the field of stealth technology and unmanned aviation - and these processes bother her. Perhaps this is the reason why the new Russian project Okhotnik is receiving such coverage in the open press. With the help of information disclosure, Russia and personally Vladimir Putin demonstrate to their and foreign audiences the development of military potential in the same areas as the United States, as well as the acquisition of appropriate capabilities.
"Hunter" over Ukraine?
Almost simultaneously in "1945" appeared the publication of Peter Suchiu "Could Russia Send Its S-70B Stealth Drone to Fight in Ukraine?" (“Should Russia send the deadly S-70B UAV to fight in Ukraine?”) The article focused on the features of the use of combat aviation and the prospects for the use of unmanned systems.
Remind that during the Special Operation in Ukraine, the Russian army is increasingly relying on UAVs. It is even reported about the purchase of Iranian equipment of this class to expand operational capabilities. In addition, according to "1945", the newest S-70 "Hunter" can take part in the operation. P. Suchiu assumes that this will happen next year.
Earlier, Russian specialists tested the "Hunter" in an environment as close as possible to combat. In the conditions of the Ashuluk training ground, the UAV took on the role of a “faithful wingman” and worked together with the Su-57 fighter, solving combat missions. Recently it became known that the "Hunter" will go into mass production in 2023, and it will be accepted into service in 2024.
Based on this information, the American publication makes an assumption about the possible timing of the start of experiments with the combat use of new heavy UAVs in the current military operation. In addition, the article discusses the technical aspects of the project and some of its features. At the same time, they did without a detailed analysis of the technical and combat potential of the drone.
Increased interest
Foreign experts and specialized publications are showing obvious interest in the S-70 Okhotnik project. They try to analyze the available information and draw conclusions or predictions. At the same time, foreign publications tend to trust dubious sources and use ambiguous theses. All this can distort the real picture - and lead to incorrect forecasts.
Using the example of recent publications in 19fortyfive.com, one can see that American specialized specialists generally perceive the promising S-70 UAV without optimism or even criticize it. They do not fully trust the available information, and also doubt the declared capabilities. How justified such an attitude is a big question.
Critical opinions are also based on biased assessments. In particular, foreign experts tend to overestimate the impact of economic or organizational difficulties. In addition, there may be no objective information on this subject. Some also recall the “argument” about the chronic lag of Russian industry behind the American one and the fundamental impossibility of closing the gap.
However, despite the negative forecasts, the S-70 still has to be considered as a potentially dangerous and effective model. Foreign authors make a reservation that if all problems are solved, he will make a potential adversary sweat. In addition, they are already evaluating the possibility of the appearance of the "Hunter" in the current theater of operations. So far, however, without "objective" attempts to determine its combat effectiveness.
Real situation
While foreign experts and the media are trying to make predictions, Russian industry continues to work on Okhotnik. With the involvement of two flight samples, full-fledged tests are carried out, incl. with the solution of practical problems. In parallel, preparations are underway for the launch of mass production and subsequent operation of the UAV in the troops.
Recall that the development of a new type of heavy strike UAV started at the beginning of the last decade. In 2018, the first prototype was built, and in August 2019 it took to the air for the first time. At the end of last year, the second prototype was rolled out of the assembly shop in an updated configuration. According to some reports, it will be he who will become the model for the next series.
In mid-May 2022, the management of the Rostec state corporation announced that work on the Okhotnik was successfully moving forward. Serial production is scheduled to begin next year. The exact timing of the delivery of finished devices to the troops has not yet been named. It can be assumed that these processes will begin as early as 2023-24.
The bulk of the technical information remains closed. At the same time, the appearance of prototypes gives some clues. In particular, it is clear that the S-70 is a subsonic aircraft and is distinguished by its high range and flight duration. In addition, it must be distinguished by high weighty perfection.
The UAV is made using stealth technologies aimed at reducing radar and thermal visibility. To counter the radar, special contours of the airframe and, possibly, electronic warfare equipment are used. On the second prototype, a special flat engine nozzle appeared, which reduces the visibility for IR tools. How successful such measures and means are is not known. At the same time, there are no grounds for negative assessments typical of foreign publications.
"Hunter" receives a developed complex of electronic equipment and an autopilot with the possibility of independent work and use in a group. With its help, the UAV will be able to monitor the air situation and find ground targets, as well as transmit and receive information. One of the tasks of the S-70 will be to strike at ground targets. To do this, guided missiles or bombs will be placed inside the airframe and on the external sling. Similar drone capabilities have already been demonstrated to the general public.
Abroad, they expect the S-70 to show its strike potential not only in the conditions of the test site. It is quite possible that in the foreseeable future one of the existing devices will indeed be tested as part of the Special Operation. However, when this will happen - and whether it will happen at all - is not yet clear. However, the use of the new UAV will be reported, and this episode will receive due attention.
Predictable Interest
Advanced Russian developments, especially in areas new to our industry, always arouse increased interest both within the country and abroad. And the reaction to them is always predictable. Thus, the foreign press, including specialized publications, is critical of Russian-made samples, although it tries to maintain a semblance of objectivity.
However, the industry and the Ministry of Defense do not pay attention to foreign publications and continue to work according to the established schedule. As a result of this, the S-70 "Hunter" is approaching the launch of the series and adoption into service. These events will take place in the foreseeable future - and will again cause a stir. And you can already imagine how the foreign media will react to them.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, "UAC"
Information