Details about the “missing” Su-57 during the Red Square military demonstration
On the morning of May 9, Moscow time, the Russian side organised a parade at Red Square to commemorate the 77th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (noon on the same day).
The parade will feature 11,000 personnel, 131 units of sophisticated weapons and equipment, and 77 planes and helicopters, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The airborne portion of the procession, however, was cancelled, citing “weather” as the reason.
This is regarded bad, and if you want a sneak peek at what the Russians have planned, you may do so by looking at photographs from the previous military parade.
A detail relating to the group of four Su-57 warplanes set to participate in the parade has “fallen into the sights” of Russian analysts, according to reports.
The above-mentioned Su-57’s vertical tail is painted with an image of a 5th generation stealth fighter and a “flying wing” aircraft – which is claimed to be very similar to the prototype. Attack unmanned aerial vehicle S-70 Okhotnik-B (UCAV).
A number of Russian military specialists are currently “excited” about an intriguing possibility around this discovery.
The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC/OAK) has said several times that the S-70 can work with the Su-57 to strike both air and ground targets with the weaponry it carries.
Many observers are excited about the idea of UCAVs being able to conduct attacks to help “clear the ground” for stealth fighters.
The Su-57’s design, radar-absorbing coating, and internal weapons compartment make it almost undetected to the opponent, which can aid the fighter in completing all tasks.
The S-70 Okhotnik-B can go up to 6,000 kilometres at speeds ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 kilometres per hour. The quantity of weapons it can carry is unknown, however the fact that 500 kg bombs were used in the attack test suggests that the S-70 Okhotnik-minimum B’s armament load might be 2 tonnes of bombs and bullets. rocket.
In 2019, the Su-57 and S-70 were initially “paired.” The S-70 communicated with the Su-57 in automated mode at the time.
The main function of the Okhotnik-B may have been to serve as a “flying radar” to enhance the manned aircraft’s field of view – in other words, to allow it to hurry forward and “search the way.”
Targeting the Su-57, destroying the radar with weaponry, or just diverting the opponent’s air and air defences are all options for the UCAV when it comes face to face with the enemy.
Is it possible for the S-70 to assist the Su-57 in “cleaning up”?
However, despite the positive appraisals, there are several reservations about the aforementioned strategy.
The Su-57 is expected to cost approximately 2.3 billion Russian rubles ($35.5 million).
Although less expensive, an S-70 costs 1.6 billion rubles ($24.7 million), making this military asset insufficient for “reconnaissance.”
In 2021, the Russian media reported that a specially designed 2-seat Su-57 variant with the position of commander exists, capable of controlling up to four S-70s – information that neither the UAC nor the manufacturer Sukhoi could verify.
Few people believe that having a single pilot (fire controller) oversee up to four other fighters is comparable to playing a computer game; nevertheless, the reality is far more complicated.
If such a task exists, there is a more efficient way to carry it out than by deploying AWACS (Aerial Warning and Command System) aircraft, which can quickly identify targets. for fighter and unmanned aerial vehicle
Even if it’s just to “clear the yard” for the Su-57, the Russians already have anti-radar missiles, cruise missiles, and other weapons in their arsenal that are far less expensive than the S-70 – a UCAV is classified as “huge.”
