armor
Su-70 Okhotnik: Putin loses his most modern stealth drone over Donbass

The Su-70 Okhotnik stealth drone at a presentation in 2021
© Sukhoi
A Russian jet shot down its own escort drone. The pilot probably lost control of the state-of-the-art weapon.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has his most modern drone over the Donbass lost. The Su-70 Okhotnik heavy stealth drone went down over the town of Kostiantynivka. The debris landed in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Videos show the drone accompanied by a fighter jet. It is probably a Su-57, which is Russia’s most modern fighter jet with stealth properties. The Okhotnik was designed as an escort drone. Such wingman drones differ significantly from other large drones. They serve as unmanned companions to a fighter aircraft, so their flight characteristics must correspond to those of a modern jet.
The video shows: Both the fighter aircraft and the drone are not affected by Ukrainian air defense. The fighter jet shoots down its own drone. Apparently there had been technical difficulties and the aim was to prevent the drone from continuing to fly uncontrollably. It is impossible to say whether it was a simple mistake or whether the Ukrainians managed to block the control of the drone. In an area close to the front such as Kostiantynivka, powerful jammers are used. It is quite possible that this is why the drone’s remote control failed.
Further images show the destroyed wreckage. The specific shape is easy to recognize, as is the red star on the wing. The Ukrainians will have quickly recovered the rubble. Otherwise, a Russian strike with an Iskander missile would be expected.
The Su-70 Okhotnik drone is supposed to catch up with Russia
The Su-70 Okhotnik is one of the most advanced large drones in the world. It is 14 meters long, the wingspan is 19 meters, and its design follows the flying wing concept. The drone weighs almost 20 tons – almost twice as much as a MiG-29 or an F-16. The shape and coatings significantly reduce the radar shadow. It has the same engine (AL-41F) as the Su-57 stealth fighter. The Okhotnik is said to have a modern Active Phased Array Radar (AFAR). It is designed to complete missions as a companion to a fighter jet as well as to carry out autonomous missions on its own. The assumed operational range is 6,000 kilometers. The drone should be able to carry up to 2.8 tons of weapons.
Involuntary technology transfer
The crash over Ukrainian territory is a serious setback for Russia. There is no doubt that Ukrainian and American specialists will examine the rubble and gain insights into the related materials, electronics and stealth coating. The Su-70 is made of a special composite material developed specifically for this project and which will probably also be used for the Su-57.