Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau unveiled the air-launched stealthy combat UAV designated S-71.during Army 2024.
Sukhoi reportedly initiated development of the S-71 UAV to meet RuMoD specifications drafted in 2019, which emphasised multi-mission capability.
However, based on operational experience, Sukhoi tweaked the specification to increase range and reduce the radar cross-section of the drone. Russia's experience in Ukraine has emphasised the need for greater range and increased survivability. The intensity of the conflict additionally emphasized scalability through reduced production cost.
The S-71 began captive-carry trials in April 2024 at Russia’s flight research centre in Zhukovsky, with test flights involving the Su-57 fighter.
Later, a photograph of a Su-57 with a S-71M "Monochrome" UAV suspended under its wing appeared online. According to Aviation Week magazine, the photo was taken on April 18, 2024 during "Monochrome" testing. Although the S-71M is designed for internal fuselage mounting, it was suspended under the wing for testing.
In August 2024, it was widely reported that Russia had begun production of the S-71M.
S-71 Drone
The S-71 is an air launched UAV that can be tasked with target identification, marking or destruction.
The drone is optimised for radar stealth. It features a trapezoidal fuselage (similar to the Storm Shadow missile), folding wings and an inverted V-shaped tail.
It is powered by a small-sized turbofan engine TRDD-50. This engine is also used in the cruise missiles Kh-59M and Kh-101. The drone is capable of reaching a speed of about 0.6 Mach and a maximum altitude of up to 8 thousand metres.
There are two variants of the drone - S-71M Monochrome and S-71K Carpet.
S-71K Carpet
The S-71K performs the role of a conventional air-to-surface cruise missile. It features a modular (cluster, high-explosive and shaped charges) warhead with electro-optical guidance for target acquisition. The variant is designed for external carriage only.
S-71M Monochrome
The S-71M functions as a reconnaissance UAV allowing its operator to monitor the target area using its electro optical sensors. On locating a target, the drone operator can mark it using a laser for precision attack by weapons launched by a Su-57 stealth fighter or Okhotnik S-70 stealth drone.
The electro-optical sensors of the S-71M are day and night capable.
The drone likely uses optical guidance and recognition technology developed for Lancet drones and Izdeliye 305 multipurpose guided missiles.
The S-71M can also be housed in the weapons bay of an Su-57 or S-70 Okhotnik UAV.
The S-71 began captive-carry trials in April 2024, after undergoing significant design tweak based on Russia’s operational experience in Ukraine, at Russia’s flight research centre in Zhukovsky, with test flights involving the Su-57 fighter.
The S-71 drone effectively extends the range of stealth fighters deep into layered air defence protected airspace without risk to pilot life.
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