S-70 "Okhotnik" UCAV

In the near future UCAVs will be needed to enter a well protected area. wrote:

An S-70 Okhotnik-B strike UAV was lost in the skies over the occupied part of the DPR
06.10.2024

On October 5, 2024, during military operations in the DPR, in the area of the village of Konstantinovka west of Toretsk, which is still under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an S-70 Okhotnik-B reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down. The incident was caused by "friendly fire" - a strike by an R-74M guided missile launched from the weapons bay of a Su-57 fighter. Russian TG channels suggested, that there was a failure in the exchange of tactical information and target designation. Other technical problems are also possible, including in the operation of the UAV "friend or foe" identification system.

The software of the S-111-N onboard communications system of the Su-57 multifunctional fighter is maximally adapted for use in the S-70 UAV combat control post mode. Secure data exchange channels between the S-111-N and the terminals installed on the Okhotniks unite the Su-57 and S-70 into a single information field, in which Su-57 pilots will be able to use the UAVs as "unmanned wingmen" carrying out radar and electronic reconnaissance, as well as conduct long-range air combat using R-77-1 missiles based on target designation from the N036 Belka onboard radars of the Su-57 fighters.

Despite the loss of the advanced strike UAV, which is unpleasant in itself, the appearance of the S-70 in the combat zone indicates that the Russian Aerospace Forces are increasing the use of unmanned weapons, in the case of the Okhotnik, still in testing mode. The Okhotnik-B and Inokhodets, unmanned aerial vehicles previously not seen at the front, have become part of the arsenal of Russian combat aviation. Their appearance is due to the weakening of the enemy's air defense and indicates the desire of the Russian Defense Ministry and General Staff to use new technologies for testing, improvement and, ultimately, to achieve the goals of the Air Defense Forces.

In Ukraine, the incident was attributed to the achievements of its air defense. "It became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to shoot down an S-70 attack drone. This means that there will be more of them. The Russians can use them as bait for the Ukrainian air defense and aviation, and then, after they clear them out, they will begin to destroy everything in the Ukrainian rear", considers the author of one of the Kyiv TG channels, not attaching importance to two points.

First, we should ask ourselves: "How did the Su-57 and S-70 end up in the skies over the combat zone without fear of Ukrainian air defense systems?" This means there is no air defense there, therefore, there is no one and nothing to shoot down Russian aircraft with. And then, why shoot down an experienced drone, albeit an expensive one, and not a serial advanced aircraft with a pilot? Did they miss?

Secondly, it seems that only in Ukraine “analysts” and bloggers admit that it is rational to use single expensive attack UAVs as “bait” instead of using “Geran”, which is much cheaper than the “Okhotnik”, is produced in large series and is used en masse.

And besides, during massive attacks on military facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the deep rear, UAV targets very similar to the same "Geran" can be in the front lines. Where is the common sense? Not to mention critical thinking.

For the armed formations of the Kyiv gang themselves, the use of technological innovations by the Russian army does not bring anything good - the time has come to send into battle products that were designed to fight instead of people.

Artem Kirillov
for the website "Aviation of Russia"

https://aviation21.ru/v-nebe-nad-okkupirovannoj-chastyu-dnr-poteryan-udarnyj-bpla-s-70-oxotnik-b/

Arkanghelsk wrote:
Seems NATO AWACS and AD cannot detect them

RTN wrote:Nothing stealthy about the S-70. Not surprising that Russia didn't find it important to salvage the wreckage

https://x.com/realwarmonitor/status/1842539577212326187