Russia will build three more samples of heavy attack and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) S-70 “Okhotnik”, which are considered to be the slaves of the fifth generation fighter Su-57, RIA Novosti reports, citing a source in the military-industrial complex.
According to the interlocutor, the UAV data “should be connected in series to flight tests during 2022-2023.” The source added that the third and fourth samples will in fact become production versions of the S-70 Okhotnik. According to the agency, the UAV data will be distinguished, in particular, by the presence of a flat nozzle, which reduces the radar signature of the aircraft.
In October 2019, Zvezda published a video in which the S-70 Hunter is shown with a flat nozzle. In the video of the TV channel, a representative of the Sukhoi design bureau stands next to the UAV model, which differs from the flying demonstrator by the nozzle device, and declares that this particular version of the product will become serial.
In September of the same year, the Russian Ministry of Defense published a video of the first joint flight of the Su-57 and S-70 Okhotnik.