In numbers Through the lens Video
Factory designation: Izdeliye S-71M (code “Monokhrom”)
First flight: April 18, 2023
Status: Factory testing (2026)
Note: Known as a transformed air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle with a warhead (see patent (Ru)). It is also referred to as an air-launched loitering munition.
The promising air-launched loitering munition “Monokhrom,” developed by JSC UAC “Sukhoi” (according to unconfirmed reports, it may be manufactured at the Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC), is designed with stealth characteristics. It features a trapezoidal fuselage cross-section (RCS 0.007–0.01 m²), a folding swept wing, and a V-shaped all-moving tail unit.
The power plant is located at the rear of the aircraft and consists of a small-sized, modernized turbofan engine designed for reusable operation, the TRDD-50, with a thrust of 220 kgf (maximum thrust – 450 kgf) and a specific fuel consumption of 0.71 kg/(kgf·h). This engine is also used in the Kh-101, Kh-35, and Kh-59 family of cruise missiles.
All these design decisions were made considering that the UAV will be deployed in the internal weapons bays of fifth-generation fighters and attack UAVs (Su-57, S-70, and other aircraft). The munition can also be carried on external missile pylons of the carrier aircraft.
The S-71M “Monokhrom” UAV is most likely a hybrid platform, combining the functions of a cruise missile and an air-launched loitering munition. Its warhead depends on the mission requirements. Among several options, it can be equipped with either a high-explosive fragmentation warhead or a penetrating high-explosive warhead weighing up to 150 kg.
Su-57 with UAV S-71M (wing outboard missile pylon).
Flight operations are conducted at altitudes of 20–75 m above the terrain and 5–15 m above the water surface. Target search and identification occur automatically, followed by autonomous engagement of the target.
Target detection and attack diagram of the S-71M “Monokhrom” loitering munition”. The image comes from a Rospatent publication © Rospatent and was reconstructed by Redstar.gr.
Three-view drawing
Technical specifications
| DESIGNER | Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC (JSC UAC "Sukhoi") |
| COUNTRY | Russia |
| TYPE |
Air-launched loitering munition
|
| Aircraft-bearer (aerial means) |
Su-57, UCAV/UAV S-70
|
| CREW | - |
| POWER-PLANT | One Turbofan TRDD-50 |
| Thrust, kgf | 175 - 220 (450) |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Length, m | 4,00 |
| Wing span, m | 3,43 (at maximum wingspan) |
| Width, m | 0,35 |
| Height, m | 0,55 |
| Wing area, m2 | - |
| WEIGHT | |
| Maximum missile weight, kg | 650-700 |
| Warhead weight, kg | 100 up to 150 |
| Mass of explosive, kg | - |
| Warhead type | Penetrating-fragmentation-high-explosive type or fragmentation-high-explosive cumulative charge. |
| GUIDANCE SYSTEM | Advanced digital inertial navigation system with GLONASS/GPS correction module, radar altimeter, optical-electronic correlation sensor. It is possible to use a bispectral medium- and long-wave Infrared homing with a working wavelength of 3-5 and 8-12 μm, respectively. Equipped with an on-board intelligent detection and guidance system based on a neural network. |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 1164 (1133) |
| Cruising speed, km/h | - |
| Service ceiling, m | 8.000 |
| At very low altitudes, m | |
| - above the surface | 20-75 |
| - above the water | 5 up to 15 |
| Range, km | 200-350 |
| Endurance, min | - |
| Radar cross section (RCS), m2 | 0,007 - 0,01 |