Russia’s Sukhoi Displays S-76 Large VTOL Cargo Drone at Army 2024

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is demonstrating for the first time a full-scale model of a fundamentally new unmanned transport system for off-airfield deployment with a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft S-76.

The unmanned S-76 has already passed the first stage of flight experiments to test vertical takeoff, hovering and landing modes. The vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone is being developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau of the UAC. 

"The unmanned platform from UAC will enable the delivery of cargo weighing up to 300 kg over a distance of up to 500 km and can provide new logistics opportunities, especially in hard-to-reach areas. The machine does not require specially prepared sites or airfield infrastructure. That is, it is a convenient, fast and efficient mode of transport," said Vladimir Artyakov, Deputy Director General of Rostec State Corporation.

The drone will be able to perform logistics, research and other tasks of any complexity in various regions of Russia, including the most inaccessible places.

"The S-76 aircraft combines the advantages of a multicopter and an aircraft," said UAC CEO Yuri Slyusar during the presentation of the project.

The S-76 project will allow the deployment of automated unmanned transport systems in Russia, which will make it possible to carry out air cargo transportation much more economically and with minimal human involvement. Takeoff, flight along the route and landing are carried out completely automatically, without the direct participation of the operator.