UK intel: Russia’s stealth drone program suffers major setback due to costly friendly fire
This incident not only represents a significant setback for Russia's drone program but also potentially hands valuable intelligence to Ukraine and its Western allies.
On 5 October, Russia shot down their own S-70 Okhotnik ”Hunter” uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) as it flew west over the front lines.
As reported by the UK Ministry of Defense, it is likely that Russia lost control of the UCAV and took the decision to destroy the aircraft to avoid it falling into the hands of Ukrainian forces.
A Sukhoi enterprise, the S-70 has been in development for at least a decade, having been observed testing at Russia’s Akhtubinsk airbase.
A key attribute of the S-70 is its reduced radar cross section which is intended to make it a ”stealth” deep-strike asset, potentially capable of penetrating adversary radar and air-defense coverage. The system is purported to be able to operate jointly with the Su-57 FELON fighter.
It is likely Russia waited to the last moment before choosing to engage the UCAV having exhausted attempts to bring it back under control. This demonstrates yet another expensive and embarrassing failure of Russian weapons development and will almost certainly delay the S-70 program, British military analysts note.
Ultimately, the S-70 “Okhotnik” crashed in Ukraine-controlled Kostiantynivka, just 16 kilometers from the frontline, with its remnants recovered by Ukrainian forces.
Related:
- Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik crash casts doubt on Russian claims of advanced drone capabilities
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- Ukraine reports first ever damage to Russia’s newest “fifth-generation fighter” Su-57 Felon
- Rada approves Ukraine’s new military branch for unmanned technologies
- Ukrainian MANPADS takes down Russian Su-30SM jet over Black Sea
- Ukrainian Intel: Number of damaged Russian Su-57s could be two
