Russian state media reports that Rostec's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is set to produce the initial batch of its S-70 Okhotnik unmanned aerial vehicle. 

Russia hyped this drone for years but then went silent, and it seemed the S-70 was yet another example of Russian vaporware – not unlike the Sukhoi Su-75 “Checkmate” stealth fighter.

However, Vladimir Artyakov, deputy general director at Rostec, told RIA Novosti this week that the initial pilot batch of S-70s was in production at the company's Novosibirsk aircraft plant.

"The program is currently at the preliminary testing stage. Several prototypes are flying. At the same time, the UAC plant is preparing to manufacture a pilot batch of heavy attack drones. The project is going according to plan," explained Artyakov.

This initial batch is meant to confirm the readiness of the Okhotnik before its eventual serial production, Russia's New Siberia newspaper reported, adding that, "This UAV has been in the preliminary testing stage since the end of 2023. At the beginning of this year, the Vice-Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Sergey Semka stated that the start of serial production of new drones will begin in the second half of 2024. In order to use the 'Hunters' in practice, a program for accelerated training of operators is being created."

There are still several unanswered questions, including how many of the drones are being produced in this pilot batch, and when those drones might be completed and tested. Even before the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, its programs tended to run way behind schedule. That situation certainly hasn't improved.

It is also unclear whether the S-70 Okhotnik is present in any capacity at this week's Army 2024 Military-Technical Forum arms fair outside of Moscow, which began on Monday. No media reports noted it, and if it were close to what U.S. industry would describe as low rate initial production, it should have a presence.

What We Do Know: S-70 Drone from Russia 

The S-70 is based on the MiG-designed Mikoyan Skat. It shares some technologies with the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 "Felon" fighter. The Okhotnik heavy attack drone performed its debut flight on August 3, 2019. That flight lasted over 20 minutes under an operator's control.

Test flights were also carried out in the summer of 2023, possibly to dispel the rumors that it was little more than vaporware.

The Okhotnik is believed to be in the same class of drones as the Dassault nEUROn and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft. These craft are being developed to augment the capabilities of manned fifth-generation and sixth-generation stealth fighters. Such unmanned aircraft could also significantly extend the sensor and weapons range of manned aircraft.

The 20-ton Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik drone is powered by an AL-31 turbojet engine – the same used on the Sukhoi Su-27 fighter. It can reach a top speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour (621 miles per hour), with a range of 6,000 km. It is equipped with electro-optical targeting and radio, as well as other types of reconnaissance equipment. It has a pair of internal bays that can carry up to 2.8 tons of weapons.

We'll have to watch to see if and when the S-70 actually moves forward.

About the Author: Peter Suciu 

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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