A prototype of the newest heavy Russian UAV S-70 “Hunter” made its first flight, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The device was in the air for more than 20 minutes. During this time, he made several laps over the airfield.

“The first flight took place at 12:20 Moscow time and lasted more than 20 minutes. The aircraft under the control of the operator made several overflights of the airfield at an altitude of about 600 m and made a successful landing, ”the military department said.

There are no analogues in the world

"Hunter" - the first heavy UAV of domestic production. The device is being developed within the walls of the experimental design bureau named. Dry. The name drone received by the name of research work (R & D). At the end of June, a small-sized model of the drone was first presented at the international military-technical forum "Army".

The “hunter” is made according to the “flying wing” scheme. Externally, it resembles a smaller version of the American bomber B-2 Spirit and Northrop Grumman X-47B. Tactical and technical "Hunter" are not disclosed. However, in the Russian media one can find information that its mass is 20 tons, the maximum range is 3.5 thousand km, the maximum speed is 920 km / h, the height of the flight is up to 10.5 km. Without refueling, the UAV can be in the air for more than a day.

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, intelligence is among the priorities of the Hunter. The drone is equipped with appropriate optical-electronic and radio equipment. In an interview with RT, commercial director of the magazine Arsenal of the Fatherland, Alexei Leonkov, suggested that the drone was intended, including for strikes. In his opinion, rockets and bombs can be placed inside the case.

“This unit is designed to perform reconnaissance and attack tasks. The “hunter” will mainly hit ground objects, but air-to-air missiles will most likely be included in its arsenal. I do not think that any special ammunition is being developed for it. Given the mass-dimensional characteristics of the “Hunter”, he will be able to use bombs and missiles that are in service with the VKS, including the latest models, ”explained Leonkov.

The expert believes that the “Hunter” will be able to carry out long-distance reconnaissance flights and deliver pinpoint strikes. According to Leonkov, the Russian defense industry has already developed equipment to carry out these missions. After completion of state tests, the drone will replenish the composition of the Aerospace Forces.

  • Photo "Hunter" at the airport of the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant them. Chkalov
  • © Wikimedia commons

In an interview with RT, Eduard Baghdasaryan, a member of the Association of Operators and Developers of Unmanned Aviation Systems, said that there are no analogues of the Hunter in the world yet. The expert stressed that the payload volume of this device is only slightly inferior to the most modern aircraft VKS.

“By the nature of the tasks performed, the Hunter is close to the American RQ-4 Global Hawk, but constructively these are completely different machines. "Hunter" will be able to fly up to 7-8 tons of ammunition - almost like a combat fighter-bomber. Not a single military drone in the world has such opportunities, ”said Baghdasaryan.

According to the technology "stealth"

The idea to develop a heavy reconnaissance-impact drone complex was first publicly voiced by Mikhail Pogosyan, Director General of Sukhoi Company, PJSC at the MAKS-2009 international aerospace show. Two years later, information appeared in the media about the start of the research project “Hunter”.

In 2012, the Ministry of Defense approved the terms of reference for the drone. The model of the device was created in 2014. Three years later, the Novosibirsk Chkalov Aviation Plant produced a prototype "Hunter". In January 2019, photographs were published on the web in which the UAV runs along the runway of the enterprise’s airfield.

After the factory tests, the drone was delivered to the Flight Research Institute. Gromov (Zhukovsky), and then - in the 929th Chkalov State Flight Test Center (GLITS, Akhtubinsk). As Edward Baghdasaryan said, in Russia there are no special sites for conducting flight tests of UAVs, but GLITZ has the necessary material base.

According to the Business Insider portal, the Ohotnik is made using stealth technology, which helps reduce the radar stealth value. At the same time, the device will not be designed to conduct a maneuverable air combat, which makes it vulnerable to defeat by fighters.

"Aerodynamics" Hunter "allows us to conclude that he will fly at subsonic speed. But there is no problem in this - many reconnaissance aircraft and bombers perform tasks at precisely that speed. Naturally, they are easily intercepted by any fighter, if they are detected by means of radar control, ”said Baghdasaryan.

Another feature of the “Hunter” is a single-engine power plant, unconventional for the Russian aircraft building school. Experts suggest that the drone is equipped with a modification of the turbojet engine AL-41F-1 (“product 117”), which is used for prototypes of the Su-57 and serial fighters for the Su-35.

In reconnaissance and in battle

Earlier, satellite images of GLITs, dated June 2019, appeared on Google Maps. They captured the “Hunter” surrounded by Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-35 and Su-57 fighters. According to sources in the Russian media, systems and units are being tested on domestic combat aircraft for subsequent installation on a prototype UAV.

Edward Baghdasaryan adheres to a similar point of view. He also believes that in Akhtubinsk, the interaction of the “Hunter” with the fighters of the VCS will be worked out. According to him, in modern theater of operations, combat aircraft, drones and ground units must perform tasks within a single information space.

  • Model UAV "Hunter"
  • RIA News
  • © Vitaly Belousov

“UAVs are necessary for targeting, as well as for collecting and transmitting data to ground and air platforms. Russia has radio-electronic complexes and communication facilities that provide such interaction. True, this does not mean that the “Hunter” will not be able to perform tasks autonomously. Just the opposite: a similar apparatus will be able to carry out reconnaissance and strike alone, ”Baghdasaryan believes.

Alexey Leonkov is sure that the appearance of the “Hunter” will noticeably strengthen the capabilities of the Air Force of the Russian Federation. The device can be in the air for a long time and destroy enemy targets in the so-called low-intensity conflicts, such as the Syrian operation.

“Modularity will be a significant advantage of the“ Hunter ”: depending on the tasks, it will have different equipment. If we talk in general about heavy-duty drones, then Russia has a very big need for them. In particular, such devices will be actively used for the needs of military intelligence. The Russian army will be able to perform tasks without the risk of human losses, ”concluded Leonkov.