Russia will build three more samples of the S-70 Hunter heavy strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), considered to be the wingmen of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, RIA Novosti reports, citing a source in the military-industrial complex.
According to the source, the UAV data "should be consistently connected to flight tests during 2022-2023." The source added that the third and fourth samples will actually become serial versions of the S-70 "Hunter". According to the agency, these UAVs will be distinguished, in particular, by the presence of a flat nozzle, which reduces the radar visibility of the aircraft.
In October 2019, Zvezda published a video in which the S-70 "Hunter" is shown with a flat nozzle. In the video of the TV channel, a representative of the Sukhoi design bureau stands next to the UAV model, which differs from the flying demonstrator by the nozzle device, and declares that this particular version of the product will become serial.
In September of the same year, the Russian Defense Ministry published a video of the first joint flight of the Su-57 and S-70 "Hunter".
Ivan Potapov
