Russia looks ahead to 2024 for Okhotnik rollout
The Okthotnik UCAV (top of picture) with an Su-57 fighter aircraft. (Photo: Sukhoi)
Russian planners want multiple Okhotniks to be controlled from the cockpit of an Su-57 fighter.
The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are set to take on strength the first production-standard S-70 Okhotnik jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) by 2024.
This was revealed in April 2021 by Andrey Yelchaninov, first deputy chairman of the board of the Russian Military-Industrial Commission.
He said the jet-powered UCAV would use manned-unmanned teaming technology, operating alongside Su-57 fifth-generation fighters on order for the VKS with 77 units set for delivery until 2028.
Currently, a lone Okhotnik prototype is undergoing intensive flight testing, including demonstrations of live weapon drops, and three more are scheduled for production to join the testing and
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