Unmanned Fighter
Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B
The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B is a Russian heavy stealth strike drone designed by Sukhoi, part of the United Aircraft Corporation, and built at Novosibirsk. It first flew in 2019 and, as of 2026, remains in testing or pre-production.
Russia|SukhoiOverview
The S-70 Okhotnik, meaning Hunter-B, is a flying-wing UCAV about 14 m long with a 19 m wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of about 20 tonnes, per Russian officials, and unverified. It first flew on 3 August 2019 at Novosibirsk, and on 27 September 2019 it flew in public alongside a Su-57. The first prototype used an AL-31F-type engine with a flat nozzle, and a purpose-built engine is planned for serial production. It is designed as a loyal wingman for the Su-57 with AI-assisted control.
Claimed performance is a speed up to about 1,000 km/h, a range of about 6,000 km and around 2.8 tonnes of internally carried payload. The Russian Ministry of Defence ordered a first batch in 2018, and officials repeatedly announced serial production for 2024 to 2025, but only a few airframes exist and deliveries are not confirmed. Reports in late 2024 claimed the S-70 flew in combat in Ukraine, but these are unconfirmed and rest on Russian and Ukrainian media. No loadout list is public.
Key Specifications
Variants
The S-70 prototype is the 2019 demonstrator that first flew at Novosibirsk.
The S-70 serial prototype is the pre-production aircraft ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The S-70 production version is expected to use a purpose-built engine, but deliveries are not confirmed.
Operators
RussiaFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the S-70 Okhotnik cost?
No price has been published for the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B. It is still in testing or pre-production, and only a few airframes have been built so far.
How fast is the S-70 Okhotnik?
The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B has a claimed speed of up to about 1,000 km/h, which is subsonic. Its claimed range is about 6,000 km, and these figures are not independently verified.
Is the S-70 Okhotnik stealth?
The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B is designed to be low observable, with a flying-wing layout and internal weapon bays. Its real radar signature is not public.
S-70 Okhotnik vs Bayraktar Kızılelma: which is better?
The Sukhoi S-70 is a heavier drone, at about 20 tonnes, than the Bayraktar Kızılelma, and its performance figures are unverified. The Kızılelma is already in series production, while the S-70 remains in testing.
Has the S-70 Okhotnik been used in combat?
Reports in late 2024 claimed the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B flew in combat in Ukraine, but these are unconfirmed and based on Russian and Ukrainian media. No official confirmation has been given.
Who operates the S-70 Okhotnik?
Russia is the only country associated with the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B, which is planned for the Russian Aerospace Forces. Deliveries are not confirmed, and no export sale has been announced.