Military experts speculate that the wreckage of the S-70 aircraft contains an object resembling the UMPB D-30SN guided bomb, a weapon previously unseen on this unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
Recent images of the wreckage from the Russian S-70 Okhotnik-B stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV), which crashed in the Donetsk region on October 5, reveal that the aircraft was armed while operating in Ukrainian airspace. This incident marks rare evidence of the S-70 engaging in combat missions within Ukraine.The downed S-70 was the fourth prototype of this UCAV series and was shot down by a Russian Su-57 stealth fighter after it lost control and strayed deep into Ukrainian territory. Eyewitness videos captured the moment the Su-57 fired an air-to-air missile, resulting in the S-70 exploding and descending in flames. Despite the explosion, many components of the UCAV remained largely intact, including its main wings.Experts are particularly concerned about the discovery of an object resembling a UMPB D-30SN guided bomb in the wreckage.
This type of munition had not previously been reported as part of the S-70’s armament. The UMPB D-30SN, which has been in use since early 2023, is considered more advanced than the UMPK bomb models and poses a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defenses.The design of the UMPB D-30SN is similar to that of the U.S. GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb. It is believed to utilize a satellite guidance system, although it remains unclear whether the weapon can be programmed with target coordinates prior to launch. The effective range of the UMPB D-30SN is still unknown.Integrating the UMPB D-30SN with the S-70 is logical given the UCAV’s stealthy design, which includes weapon pylons concealed within its fuselage. This bomb can also be deployed by the Su-57 stealth fighter.Currently, there is limited specific information regarding the S-70’s potential payloads, although the Russian Defense Ministry has indicated that the UCAV is capable of performing air-to-air missions. In terms of its primary functions, the S-70 is designed for high-altitude reconnaissance and ground support.The UMPB D-30SN appears to have been developed to address the demands of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, specifically the need for cost-effective, long-range strike capabilities with precision targeting.
Another possibility raised by War Zone is that the UMPB D-30SN discovered near the S-70 wreckage may have been deployed by another Russian aircraft to ensure the complete destruction of the UCAV. This measure would be crucial to prevent Ukraine or NATO from acquiring advanced technology from the S-70 wreckage.Regardless of the motives behind the decision to shoot down the S-70, its ability to operate within Ukrainian airspace without detection indicates a significant achievement for the Russian military. Despite the ongoing expansion of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, bolstered by Western support, the presence of the S-70 and the UMPB D-30SN bomb signals a continued threat to Ukrainian defenses.The exact number of S-70s currently in service with the Russian Air Force remains unclear, though earlier reports suggest that four prototypes have been built, with the fourth prototype being downed on October 5.
The Sukhoi corporation began developing the S-70 Okhotnik UAV in 2011, and the prototype made its first flight on August 3, 2019. The S-70 measures 14 meters in length with a wingspan of 20 meters, weighing nearly 20 tons—almost double the weight of a MiG-29 or F-16 fighter and four times heavier than similar UAVs, such as the U.S. X-47B.Designed to operate in conjunction with the Su-57 stealth fighter, the Okhotnik aims to take on missions that would typically involve manned aircraft in hazardous environments. The Okhotnik successfully conducted a test flight alongside the Su-57 in September 2019, demonstrating their ability to fly in formation just meters apart.
