Russia adopts paired drone tactic: Why this poses new dangers
Russia aims to combine an unmanned aircraft with a fighter jet.
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S-70 Okhotnik
It is seeking to reproduce the US Collaborative Combat Aircraft concept, known as «Loyal Wingmen». The concept involves unmanned fighter aircraft operating in coordination with crewed jets and performing tasks under their direction, Defense Express reports.
What is known about Russia’s plans
Russia’s heavy long-range strike drone, the S-70 Okhotnik, could be integrated as a «wingman» for the Su-30SM fighter jet, Russian pilot Major General Vladimir Popov said in comments to Russian media.
He said crewed aircraft would remain the priority for the air force in the coming decades, but unmanned systems would develop in parallel and could eventually operate at the same level as, or more effectively than, manned aircraft.
The idea of pairing the Okhotnik specifically with the Su-30SM — rather than the Su-57, for which the drone had initially been considered — is explained by the Su-30SM’s two-seat configuration. Under the concept, one pilot would fly the aircraft while the second would control the drones. In a single-seat Su-57, that burden would fall on one pilot, which is regarded as too complex, despite previous reports in Russia about plans for a two-seat version.
«Overall, Russia effectively wants to copy primarily the American concept of „Loyal Wingmen”CCA, which in the future will operate together with piloted aircraft, ” DE writes.
In the United States, such systems are seen as part of future, primarily sixth-generation platforms. They are also expected to be integrated with existing fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, and potentially upgraded fighters such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
However, building a fully operational and effective aircraft-drone pairing remains a complex technological challenge requiring extensive testing and refinement.
Last year, for the first time, a pilot controlled both an F-22 Raptor and an MQ-20 Avenger drone in a single flight. At least one similar flight has taken place this year.