S-71M Attack Drone

There is limited information on the S-71M attack drone. Russia has approved mass production, which may result in their deployment in Ukraine in the coming months. The S-71M is stored on the Su-57 fighter jet and designed for fully autonomous operation.

(Credit: Bulgarian Military)

Basic Weapon Facts

I. Background

1. Manufacturer: United Aircraft Corporation, Sukhoi, MiG, Tupolev
2. Suppliers: In-house
3. Country of origin: Russia
4. Developmental stage: Approved for mass production (2025)
5. System version: S-71M "Monokhrom" (advanced, capable of operating autonomously)
6. System type: Loitering Munition

II. General Specifications

1. System dimensions: Unknown
2. Weight: Unknown
3. Max payload: Unknown
4. Max operating time: Unknown
5. Max operating Distance/Reach: Unknown
6. Max speed: 0.6 Mach

III. Autonomy

Autonomous Targeting capabilities: According to reports, the S-71M variant can autonomously search for, detect, and engage moving targets using electro-optical sensors and onboard targeting data. The system includes an option to keep an operator in the loop to validate targets and guide missiles, but it is also capable of functioning fully autonomously.

Sources

1. Manufacturer websites:
   The drone is not included on the website, but its patent is public.
2. News reports:
   • "Deployed On Su-57 Stealth Fighters, Russia’s Air-Launched S-71 UAV Threatens Ukraine’s F-16 Operations" (The Eurasian Times)
   • "Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet seen carrying attack drone under its wings" (AND)
   • "Russian Su-57 appeared with an S-71 attack drone under its wing" (Bulgarian Military)
   • "Russia prepares to deploy Su-57 in battle after latest order" (Bulgarian Military)
   • "Sukhoi S-71 Remote Carrier ‘UAV’" (Secret Projects)
   • "Sukhoi Unveils Modified S-71 Attack UAV Concepts" (Aviation Week)

(Credit: Fips.ru - patent)