Russia’s Loyal Wingman, GROM in Near Production Guise Spotted at Army 2024

The “GROM” Loyal Wingman, a center-piece of Russia’s sixth generation fighter jet development, is displayed in near-production guise at the Army 2024 arms fair currently on at the Patriot Park near Moscow.

Unlike displays at previous editions of the Army arms fair, the “GROM” shown this time has a coat of paint similar to operational fighter jets such as the Su-35, a landing gear and an engine. It also has two underwing missiles and a closed underbelly to mount missiles and bombs showing its stealth characteristics.

According to its developer, the Kronstadt Company of Russia, the GROM is a high speed strike unmanned aerial vehicle. It can work work as a wingman in the forward attack echelon in cooperation with manned aviation such as the Su-35 and Su-57.

The GROM shown this time has its size corresponding to that stated in earlier presentations- a length of 13.7 meters and a wingspan of 10 meters. 

The GROM Loyal Wingman's functions include detection and defeat of  tactical and local air defence systems besides electro-optical and  radio-technical reconnaissance.

Its weapons payload ensures destruction of surface targets at tactical and operational depths with precision weapons.

To fulfil missions such as detection of air defense systems and reconnaissance, the GROM must be equipped with the appropriate payload details of which were not revealed by Kronstadt.

It can carry weapons weighing up to 500 kg: two inside the fuselage and two suspended from underwing pylons, up to a total of 2 tons. The Grom is to be powered by a single 2,500-kg-thrust  AI-222-25 turbofan, also used by the Yak-130 jet combat trainer. It has maximum take off weight of 7000 kg, a max payload of 2000 kg and a cruising speed of 800 kph besides an operational radius of 700 km.