Hunter (strike drone)

2024: Creating a version of the Hunter S-70 with a "superdrive" and 5th generation missiles

In early August 2024, details became known about the heavy unmanned aerial vehicle of the Okhotnik S-70, which is being developed by specialists from the Development Bureau of P. O. Sukhoi, a division of the United Aircraft Building Corporation (UAC). This drone is equipped with a "superdrive" and 5th generation missiles.

"Hunter" is made according to the "flying wing" scheme. The device has a length of about 14 meters and a wingspan of 19 meters. The maximum takeoff mass is approximately 25 tons, of which 7-8 tons are payloads. The practical ceiling is 18,000 meters.

source = P.O. Sukhoi Development Bureau

The device does not have a traditional aircraft keel, and the weapons are placed in the internal bomb compartments. The jet engine for stealth does not have an afterburner, that is, the drone is subsonic. The main feature of the "Hunter" is a flat engine nozzle, thanks to which the radar visibility of the machine is reduced. In addition, composite materials are widely used in the design of UAVs, which also makes it difficult to detect by radar means.

The drone is able to invisibly penetrate through the enemy's air defense and strike at various targets. The arsenal of the device includes 5th generation air-to-air missiles. The carrying capacity and dimensions of the bomb compartment allow carrying any type of aircraft weapons that can be used, including with the Su-57 fighter. A new ground control center has been created for the drone, designed taking into account the requirements of the military.

The UAVs concentrate on the advanced achievements of enterprises and organizations of the domestic defense industrial complex, which made it possible to provide functionality that is not inferior, but in a number of parameters superior to a few (single) foreign analogues, the UAC said in a statement.[1]

2020: Hunter strike drone to be equipped with AI

On August 27, 2020, it became known about the decision of the Ministry of Defense to use artificial intelligence in the "Hunter" in order to heavy shock the drone was able to independently make decisions about the attack.

According to TASS, the Ministry of Defense decided to make the "Hunter" distant interceptor: drone with long-range weapons will be taken to the lines of several thousand kilometers for interception enemy aircraft, that is, will attack air targets even before their approach to the air defense zone. It is assumed that the flight unmanned aerial vehicle will be coordinated simultaneously from ground control stations, from manned Su-57 fighters and via satellites.

Russian Defense Ministry adds AI to military drone for attacks without order

As for artificial intelligence, thanks to it unmanned bomber will be able to perform combat missions without direct order of a person at the time of flight. So, the UAV will be able to independently search for certain types of targets, report on them and attack. At this drone will fly in fully autonomous mode.

Developed in the design bureau of Sukhoy drone "Okhotnik" is made according to the "flying wing" scheme using the "stealth" technology, which reduces its radar visibility. According to open data sources referred to by TASS, take-off mass of the vehicle is up to 20 tons, the maximum flight speed is on the order of 1000 km/h.

Earlier, the UAV flew together with the Su-57 fighter. Drone maneuvered in the air in automatic mode at an altitude of about 1600 m, flight duration exceeded 30 minutes.

The start of deliveries of "Hunters" is scheduled for 2024. According to General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar, large orders for the supply of a heavy drone are expected. Budget design work is estimated at 1.6 billion rubles.^[2]

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