Rostec is developing the S-70 "Okhotnik-B" drone, which will work in conjunction with the Su-57 fighter. This was written by military expert Peter Suchiu in an article for The National Interest.
Pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces on fifth-generation Su-57 fighters may soon receive “loyal companions” — escort drones that will assist in performing tasks in real time.
According to Army Recognition, "the two-seat Su-57 is being developed to simultaneously coordinate the actions of 2 to 4 'Okhotniks'. At the same time, the UAV will perform various tasks, including hitting targets, transmitting intelligence data, and flying in a swarm. The S-70 can also be used as decoys to create interference.
There is no denying that this is a significant step in introducing slave UAVs into the manned fighter system. However, they will be controlled not by the Su-57 pilot, but by a separate operator.
Suchiu emphasized that the S-70 "Okhotnik-B" "looks very effective on paper as a Su-57 satellite." However, the main question is when it will be adopted, the expert added.
Russia cannot establish large-scale serial production of the Su-57, and it is unclear how many two-seat models are currently in service. The introduction of the "Okhotnik" is also in doubt.
The author of The National Interest pointed out that there is not much information about the S-70 in the Russian media. For example, in August 2024, Rostec announced the production of a pilot batch of drones at the Chkalov Novosibirsk Aviation Plant. However, Suchiu concluded that the state corporation did not announce the timing of the S-70 delivery.
Read more on the topic:
Take the Iranian path: it became known how to establish mass production of the S-70 "Okhotnik"
How the S-70 "Okhotnik" for the Su-57 fighter: Indian MiG-29K may receive slave drones
Testing of the Su-57 fighter in conjunction with the S-70 "Okhotnik" drone has begun
