Russia is reportedly working on a new and enigmatic drone under the auspices of Rostec subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation.
This new project, dubbed the Unmanned Transport Module, is being developed for air-launch from under the wings of the Su-57 Felon, Russia’s flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The concept for this drone, which some media outlets are calling the Su-71K, blurs the lines between an unmanned aerial vehicle and a stealth cruise missile.
Official documents describe the Unmanned Transport Module as an air-launched UAV with the capability to engage a variety of stationary and moving targets under complex counteraction conditions. Its onboard systems are said to include advanced automatic target recognition and decision-making processes based on artificial intelligence and neural networks, which suggests that the platform is designed for highly autonomous operations.
According to available information, the drone features a fuselage housing a warhead, advanced optical and navigation sensors, and a power plant system consisting of a nozzle and air intake. The UAV also includes a swept wing design, a twin-fin all-moving tail unit, and an onboard intelligent search and guidance system. These components collectively make the Unmanned Transport Module resemble a stealthy version of a traditional cruise missile, suggesting a hybrid approach that aims to combine characteristics of both drones and guided missiles.
Reports indicate that the Unmanned Transport Module will be externally carried by its launch aircraft, the Su-57 Felon, and will have the ability to be controlled from the ground or by the Su-57 pilot. This dual-control capability is expected to allow for flexible mission re-tasking during flight, offering the capacity for coordinated strikes based on real-time intelligence.
Media sources have noted that the initial concept for the drone has undergone significant revisions, shaped by Russia’s experience during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The war has led to considerable losses in Russia’s aerial assets without achieving substantial strategic gains. As a result, the drone project has been adapted to better reflect lessons learned in combat—emphasizing survivability and flexibility in a complex, contested environment.
Analysts familiar with the project suggest that the Unmanned Transport Module is, in essence, a “smart” cruise missile with remote guidance capabilities. Such features make it adaptable to evolving battlefield scenarios, providing either autonomous strike options or real-time input from human operators to adjust its flight path as needed. The system reportedly employs multiple communication channels for guidance, which allows the mission to be modified by either the aircraft operator or a ground-based control team.
Currently, it is known that three prototypes of this mysterious drone have been constructed and have undergone testing at Akhtubinsk Air Base, one of Russia’s major aviation test facilities.
Source: Defence Blog