Russia’s newest stealth drone has taken its first test flight alongside a fighter jet as Putin continues to beef up his military.
The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik – which translates to Hunter – was filmed pulling manoeuvres alongside an Su-57 stealth fighter in footage released on Friday.
The Defence Ministry claimed the stealth drone was operated in automated mode, meaning it was controlled only by its own guidance system.
The new gadget looks similar to a US Air Force drone manufactured by Lockheed Martin which was introduced in 2007.
Russia’s new Sukhoi Su-70 Okhotnik drone carried out its first test flight alongside the country’s latest stealth fighter in footage released Friday
The Kremlin said the aircraft performed manoeuvres over an airfield for half an hour, during which time their on-board systems communicated to provide extra capabilities to the jet
Russia’s Defence Ministry also claimed the drone flew in fully automatic mode, meaning it was controlled only by its own guidance systems rather than from the ground
The new drone looks similar to a US Air Force drone manufactured by Lockheed Martin which was introduced in 2007
‘As part of the ongoing test program, the Okhotnik drone performed a flight in the automated mode in its full configuration, entering the airborne alert area,’ the ministry said.
During the flight, the drone and the Su-57 fighter’s computer systems interacted ‘to broaden the fighter’s radar coverage and to provide target acquisition for employing air-launched weapons,’ the ministry claimed.
The announcement seems to confirm that the drone is designed to fight alongside the Su-57 and enhance its capabilities on the battlefield.
The 30-minute flight took place at a testing aerodrome of the Defense Ministry, state-run news agency TASS reported, without saying which aerodrome was used.
Similar: The new gadget resembles a U.S. Air Force drone manufactured by Lockheed Martin which was introduced as long ago as 2007
The drone was first spotted in January but wasn’t officially unveiled until June, with its first solo test flight taking place in August
Okhotnik – which translates to Hunter in English – is due to remain in testing until 2024, before entering active service the following year
Until Friday it was not clear exactly what the drone’s combat role would be, but it now appears to be a compliment to Russia’s latest jet fighter
The Su-57 (left) is Russia’s most cutting-edge fighter plane, and designed to rival the American-designed F-35 Lightning II
Both the fighter and the drone are the product of a massive overhaul of Russia’s military which has seen it introduce new tanks, gear for its foot soldiers, and nuclear missiles
Russia says that, once the drone is operational, it will carry advanced air-launched weapons, onboard reconnaissance systems and ‘other equipment’.
It is currently in the testing phase of development, and is due to be put into active service in 2025.
The drone was first seen in January but not officially unveiled until June, and only took its first solo test-flight In August.
The SU-57 is Russia’s latest stealth fighter jet, designed to rival the American-made F-35 Lightning II.
It is capable of cruising at Mach 1 speeds, of communicating in real time with other technology on the battlefield, and of carrying some of Russia’s latest weaponry.
While the capabilities of the drone are largely unknown, it is thought the Su-57 can cruise at Mach 1 and carry Russia’s latest missile technology
The Su-57 is thought to be capable of carrying Russia’s latest Kinzhal hypersonic missile, which is 25ft long, can travel at Mach 10 and has a range of 1,200miles
While the drone provides fighters with extra capabilities such as enhanced radar, it is also designed to carry weaponry of its own
Observers believe the Su-57 is outfitted to carry Kinzhal ‘dagger’ hypersonic missile, each one of which is 25ft long, can travel above Mach 10, and range 1,200miles.
The Su-57 has already entered production and the first jet is likely to enter service before the end of the year.
Russia is in the midst of a complete overhaul of its military that has seen it introduce new tanks, gear for its foot soldiers, and nuclear missiles.
It comes in response to increasing tensions between world powers, including in Europe – where the US has torn up a major Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty, prompting Moscow to do the same.