How Dangerous is Russia’s Stealthy, Armed Okhotnik Drone?

By Kris Osborn, President, Warrior

(Washington, D.C.) The shooting down of a stealthy Russian S-70 Okhotnik drone in the Ukraine war may generate a windfall of intelligence data for Ukraine and the West, particularly because the electronics and computing may offer some indication as to how advanced Russia is in the realm of AI-enabled target data processing, digital networking and manned-unmanned teaming.  In recent years, Russia appears to be attempting to replicate US success in the realm of “loyal wingman” capability wherein drones can be operated from the cockpit of a manned fighter. The US Air Force has made great progress connecting F-22s and F-35s with drones in the air, and multiple reports now suggest the shot down Russian stealthy attack drone was operating in coordination with a 5th-generation Russian Su-57 stealth fighter. This would make sense given that the Russian media has for years been writing about connecting its Okhotnik drone with its Su-57. Can Russia compete with the US in the realm of manned-unmanned teaming?  Evidence surrounding the shootdown seems to suggest the Okhotnik was operating in coordination with the Su-57, and potentially shot down deliberately or through friendly fire.

“The exact circumstances that led to the downing of the Okhotnik remain unclear. Video footage from the incident, shared on both pro-Kyiv and pro-Moscow social media channels, shows a Su-57 fighter jet shooting down the drone using what appears to be an R-74M2 air-to-air missile,” an Oct 7 essay in the Economic Times states.

Russia copying US “Loyal Wingman” manned-unmanned teaming?

Russia’s TASS news agency has in recent years written several stories about how their military is essentially “copying” the successful US Air Force networking of the F-35, F-22 and Valkyrie drone with manned-unmanned teaming between the Okhotnik and Russia’s 5th-generation Su-57. This raises key questions about the extent to which Russia can accomplish a successful ability to replicate the US Air Force’s “loyal wingman” concept and operate a manned fighter jet in close coordination with an unmanned, stealthy drone.

The US Air Force has in recent years made breakthrough progress advancing its “loyal wingman” manned-unmanned teaming concept wherein 5th-generation manned aircraft are able to network with one another in flight and exchange critical data in real time. In development in terms of concept and technological exploration for more than a decade, the vision and its corresponding Concept of Operation have come to operational life in recent years. Not long ago, the US Air Force Research laboratory demonstrated that its Valkyrie drone could exchange in-flight data with an F-35. 

Okhotnik Drone

Regardless of its specific level of technological sophistication in the realm of manned-unmanned teaming, the Okhotnik is well-understood as an extremely dangerous platform. The platform is not only stealthy but reported to be an armed strike drone as well, according to numerous reports including one from as far back as 2018 in Russia Beyond quoting Russian experts discussing the drone.