The Russian strike-reconnaissance heavy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "Hunter" is a failure. So the promising product was named by the columnist of the American edition of 19FortyFive, Steve Balestrieri.
"The Russian military never lacks grandiose predictions about the capabilities of their new models of equipment. But reality often does not meet expectations," the publication says.
The publication noted that since the presentation, the Russian drone has received several improvements, in particular a flat nozzle, which reduces the radar visibility of this UAV.
The author claims that the design of the Russian "Hunter" resembles the American drone RQ-170 Sentinel, one of which was captured by the Iranians. The observer admits that Tehran could have shared it with Moscow.
Balestrieri writes that currently the "Hunter" exists in the form of a prototype, which, before the start of mass production, only has to pass all the tests that can identify the shortcomings of the UAV.
"Another important factor is Russia's ability to constantly finance, develop and produce new designs, which is not something that is taken for granted," the observer assures.
In December 2021, The Drive edition noted that Moscow had fulfilled its promise to create a more advanced prototype of the Hunter UAV, which should act as a wingman of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter.
