The Russian S-70 Okhotnik heavy drone that was shot down on October 5, 2024, was allegedly concerned in missions to strike floor targets. The incident occurred close to Kostiantynivka, situated in the Kramatorsk district, roughly 15 to 20 kilometers from the entrance line.
At the crash web site, remnants of a corrected UMPB D-30SN glide bomb had been found, shedding mild on the drone’s supposed operational function. The UMPB D-30 is a Russian aerial munition developed from the FAB-250 bomb and geared up with a satellite tv for pc steering system.
Reports point out that its most vary can differ between 50 and 90 kilometers. The presence of the UMPB D-30 at the crash web site means that Russian forces supposed to make the most of the Okhotnik as a standoff bomber, deploying precision-guided glide bombs to have interaction enemy positions.
The stealthy drone probably misplaced management earlier than being shot down by a Russian fighter jet, which acted to forestall it from reaching Ukrainian Defense Forces. Following the incident, videos began circulating on-line, exhibiting a Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) fighter jet capturing down the S-70 Okhotnik.
The clips depict two plane in flight, with contrails seen in the sky and a streak of smoke indicating the fighter jet fired an air-to-air missile at the drone.
Telegram channel Fighterbomber, which is believed to be affiliated with the Russian Air Force, interpreted this incident as proof of the elevated deployment of S-70 drones over Ukraine. The channel claimed, “Russia has begun to massively use heavy strike UAVs Inokhodets and Okhotnik in the special operations area.”
The Inokhodets, a non-stealthy, propeller-driven fight drone, has reportedly been lively in the battle, with Ukrainian forces claiming to have shot down at the least seven of them. However, it stays unclear whether or not the Okhotniks are making a big contribution to Russia’s navy efforts.
Sukhoi, the producer of the Okhotnik, first flew the satellite-guided drone in 2019 and performed its first bomb drop two years later. Only two prototype Okhotniks had been constructed initially. Fighterbomber claims that the downed drone was a manufacturing mannequin somewhat than a prototype, however this assertion is troublesome to confirm.
Strategic Advantages Of UMPB D-30 Bomb
The UMPB D-30’s selection over the extra regularly utilized UMPK could be attributed to the S-70 Okhotnik’s design, which options stealth applied sciences that necessitate inside weapon bays somewhat than exterior suspension factors on the wings.
The Okhotnik’s design relies on the flying-wing scheme and makes use of composite supplies and stealth coatings, lowering its RCS (radar cross-section). After an evaluation of the wreckage, a Ukrainian analyst reportedly stated that the downed drone didn't have any stealth polymers.
The UMPK, designed from a bigger FAB bomb, merely can't be accommodated inside the inside compartments of the drone.
In addition, the UMPB D-30 supplies an prolonged operational vary. Unlike the UMPK, which features as a free-fall bomb geared up with wings and steering methods, the UMPB D-30 was particularly engineered as a glide bomb.
This design endows it with a exceptional vary of up to 90 kilometers, enabling the S-70 to conduct strikes from safer distances away from enemy defenses.
Moscow probably perceives this drone-bomb mixture as a extremely efficient technique for aerial strikes towards Ukrainian targets. Utilizing such missions permits for the deployment of an uncrewed drone, albeit a pricey one, thereby minimizing the danger to human life.
Additionally, using a drone is considerably cheaper in contrast to using a manned plane like the Su-34, primarily due to the drone’s single-engine configuration, which leads to decrease upkeep and refueling bills.
Currently, the Sukhoi Su-34 bombers function the air drive’s main glide bombers, with round 100 of them actively engaged in operations, collectively dropping roughly 3,000 glide bombs every month. However, these Su-34 regiments have confronted appreciable challenges in the battle.
Since the escalation of hostilities in February 2022, Ukrainian air defenses have efficiently shot down at the least 29 of those bombers—representing about one-fifth of all Su-34s that Sukhoi has produced.
Integrating S-70s into the glide-bombing operations may relieve strain on the Su-34 models and safeguard the lives of worthwhile aircrew members. Nevertheless, implementing this technique has confirmed to be extra difficult than anticipated, as current incidents have illustrated.
Meanwhile, following the downing of the drone, in all probability by its accompanying Su-57 fighter jet, Russian forces fired an Iskander missile at the crash web site to obliterate the S-70 wreckage.
However, earlier than the missile strike, Ukrainian forces had already extracted intact parts for examination, which may show detrimental to Russia.
The evaluation may embarrass Russian officers for causes past mere {hardware} loss. Experts warn that the main concern lies in the potential for Western engineers to discern the particular wavelengths the S-70 was designed to counteract and the angles from which it stays detectable.
Such insights may considerably undermine the drone’s stealth capabilities. Given the S-70’s comparatively giant measurement, gradual velocity, and excessive price, any compromise of its stealth options would render it significantly much less efficient in fight operations.
