"Carpet" and "Monochrome": new UAVs for the Russian Aerospace Forces
Experimental UAV S-71 of one of two versions
Russian industry is actively developing ammunition for the frontline aviation and regularly offers the most interesting solutions. For example, a new line of strike products under the general designation S-71 has recently become known. They are positioned as air-based unmanned aerial vehicles and at the same time have the characteristic features of winged missiles.
Unknown project
On August 1, 2023, PJSC United Aircraft Corporation filed a patent application for registration of the invention "Unmanned aerial vehicle of air launch with a combat charge and a method for its use". In March 2024, the organization received patent number RU2816326C1.
The document described an original UAV capable of performing the functions of a loitering munition or a cruise missile. General features of its design, operating principles, etc. were given. Schemes of the proposed combat use were also disclosed. It is curious that in the illustrations the conventional carrier drones was a Su-57 fighter.
This patent attracted the attention of specialists and the public, but did not cause much excitement. The fact is that domestic defense industry organizations regularly patent various concepts and ideas, but not all of them reach full implementation.
Later, in the summer of 2024, P. Plunsky's book "Experimental Design Bureau named after P. O. Sukhoi" was published, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the organization. It describes story leading OKB and its developments from the very beginning of its work to this day. At the same time, for obvious reasons, it is the modern history of the organization that is of interest.
Probably an early prototype or mock-up of the S-71
An entire paragraph of this book was devoted to a previously unknown UAV designated S-71. It provided information about this development, its history, goals and achievements for the first time. In addition, images of experimental drones taken during testing were published for the first time.
Unlike the patent, the information in the book attracted attention in our country and abroad. Various assessments and attempts at analysis began based on the available data. In addition, information from unofficial sources appeared, complementing the overall picture, but raising questions.
According to available data
It is known from open publications that in 2019, the Sukhoi company began developing the appearance of a promising UAV with strike and other functions. To simplify operation and use, it was proposed to make it in the form factor of a cruise missile and use it on frontline aviation aircraft, including the latest Su-57 fighter.
The future UAV was called a “controlled low-observable module” weapons" It was also given the working designation S-71. Over the first few years, the optimal design was formed, the composition of the units was determined, and other tasks were solved. In 2022, work on the S-71 theme accelerated - the developer organization wanted to quickly complete the design and bring the UAV to the point of adoption.
In 2023-24, the project was successfully brought to flight tests. For example, last year, a series of test flights took place, in which the Su-57 fighter became the carrier of the UAV. This is the aircraft that is present in the published photographs of the drones.
"Carpet" / "Monochrome", rear view
There are no new details about the progress of the S-71 project. How it has developed over the past year and what successes it has achieved are still unknown. Given the results of previous work, it can be expected that in the coming months the new UAV will reach the stage of trial operation in the troops and combat use. In addition, it may be adopted by the Aerospace Forces.
Two devices
According to published data, an unmanned aerial platform was developed within the framework of the S-71 project, and two aircraft were created on its basis. These UAVs have the most similar design, but differ in the composition of equipment, functions and capabilities.
One of the devices received the designation S-71K and the name "Carpet". It is designed to destroy remote ground or surface targets with pre-determined coordinates. In essence, it is a direct analogue of an air-launched cruise missile of traditional appearance.
The second UAV is designated as S-71M and has the code name "Monochrome". It is a loitering air-launched munition with the ability to operate autonomously. It must independently patrol a given area, search for and recognize targets. Then the UAV independently makes a decision to carry out an attack and aims at the selected object.
A pair of S-71 products on a Su-57 fighter
Both new UAVs have a common airframe and are built according to a normal aerodynamic scheme. The design is formed taking into account the reduction of visibility and the reduction of dimensions in the transport position. The exact dimensions and weight of the products are unknown, but it seems that they are no different from a number of existing cruise missiles.
It should be noted that the photographs show a prototype of a different appearance. Judging by its appearance and coloring, it was an experimental model for early tests. The UAV design was later changed.
The S-71 has an elongated fuselage with a pointed nose and a hexagonal cross-section of the main part. The sides are equipped with a wing that can be unfolded in flight. The empennage is folding, V-shaped. The UAV is suspended on the carrier with the bottom up, for which it is provided with the necessary fasteners. In addition, there is a hatch in the nose section through which access to the device's connectors is provided.
"Kover" and "Monochrome" are equipped with a turbojet engine TRDD-50 or similar type. With its help, the UAV develops high subsonic speed. The range and duration of the flight are unknown. At the same time, it is clear that the reserve of characteristics is sufficient for patrolling in the target area.
The S-71K unmanned cruise missile must have a simple control system that ensures flight to specified coordinates. A more complex set of devices and instruments had to be developed for the S-71M. Such a UAV needs surveillance equipment, optical or radar, a computer for data analysis, an autopilot, etc. A radio station is also needed to communicate with the carrier aircraft to transmit data about the target and to obtain permission to attack. At the same time, the exact composition of the new UAV's electronics and its operating principles are still unknown.
Various uses of loitering munitions
Both S-71 products are air-launched weapons, but there is no information about their combat capabilities. According to some sources, the "Kovyor" product could be equipped with a cluster warhead, and the "Monochrome" should carry a single-block high-explosive fragmentation warhead. It is unknown whether these estimates are correct.
The published materials show only one carrier of the S-71 UAV — the 5th generation Su-57 fighter. The drones are suspended using a beam holder of one of the latest models. It is unknown whether the new drones are compatible with other domestic aircraft.
New generation
Thus, one of the leading aircraft manufacturing organizations in Russia decided to use its experience to create airborne weapons. The result was the emergence of two strike UAVs, similar to cruise missiles and capable of solving various tasks related to the destruction of ground targets.
Last year, two versions of the S-71 drone were tested and confirmed their design characteristics. It is likely that the development of the two projects continued after that and new successes were achieved. The current status of this program is unknown, but there are reasons for the most optimistic assessments and forecasts.
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