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Russia shot down its own “invisible” drone

Posted on by darion

A prototype of the Russian Hunter S-70 combat drone was shot down over the occupied Donetsk Oblast, in what experts call a major embarrassment for the Moscow Air Force.

Footage circulating online shows an unmanned aircraft being hit by a missile in mid-air and then crashing to the ground.

Another missile can be seen fired from a separate aircraft that military analysts believe was responsible for bringing down the drone.

The incident, which took place near the front line in the Donetsk region, raised questions about the deployment of the drone in such an unstable area.

After examining photos of the wreck, military specialists concluded that the destroyed plane was most likely the Russian Hunter S-70, a new generation combat drone being tested. The drone was reportedly shot down either due to loss of control or intentionally after it crashed during a test flight.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, called the incident a “stunningly embarrassing failure” for Russia. He stressed that the fact that the test flight took place so close to the front lines demonstrated poor decision-making.

Initially, some reports speculated that the downed aircraft was a Russian Su-25 jet, but further analysis revealed a distinct camouflage pattern on the drone, different from that seen on the Su-25. Additional footage and photos confirmed the drone’s identity as a Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B.

This loss of a key prototype in such a public manner is another blow to the Russian military, which has already faced setbacks and logistical challenges during the war in Ukraine.

S-70 itself

The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, commonly referred to as “Hunter-B”, is a Russian stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Sukhoi and MiG.

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Based on the earlier Mikoyan Skat and using technologies from the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter, it is part of Russia’s sixth-generation aircraft project.

Work on the drone has been ongoing since 2011, and its first flight will take place in August 2019. The UCAV is intended to complement Su-57 fighters by acting as a “loyal wingman” and has undergone numerous tests, including autonomous operations and weapons. trials. Series production is planned for the end of 2024.

Development of the S-70 Okhotnik-B has progressed steadily over the years. After some initial tests in 2019, including a flight alongside the Su-57, additional prototypes were built with modifications such as a flat jet nozzle to reduce radar and infrared signatures. The drone is designed in a flying wing configuration, using composite materials and stealth coatings to minimize radar cross-section. With a wingspan of about 20 meters and a weight of about 20 tons, the S-70 can reach speeds of up to 1,000 km/h while carrying its cargo internally.

The S-70 Okhotnik-B has already been used operationally, including reconnaissance missions during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2023, it was photographed flying over the Sumy region.

Designed primarily for reconnaissance and combat missions, the development of the Okhotnik is consistent with Russia’s broader strategy of integrating advanced unmanned systems with manned fighters such as the Su-57. The drone’s stealth features combined with its high payload and speed make it a significant addition to the Russian military arsenal. As production increases, the S-70 is expected to play a key role in future military operations, potentially changing the air combat landscape.