The Russian Defense Ministry is designing a long-range drone capable of automatic flying at low altitudes at supersonic speed, deputy head of the research department of the Central Research Institute of the Defense Ministry Alexander Naumov said.

The Northrop Grumman X-47B appears to be the "model" for the Russian project

(Picture source: US Navy / Northrop Grumman)

"An unmanned aerial long-range vehicle is being designed which will be capable of automatic flying at low altitudes at supersonic speed and destroying both stationary and mobile targets in the operational strategic depth," he told the Zvezda TV channel.

This Russian project appears to be aiming at providing the army with an equivalent of the Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS.

Beside this supersonic drone project, the prospective Russian high-speed helicopter is being designed in a classical manned option, as well as an unmanned craft, head of the onboard electronic equipment department of the institute Pavel Shchavelev said. "The helicopter of the future will have two options: the classical one with the pilot and crew and unmanned one which will interact with the manned craft operating in the interests of the ground forces," he told the Zvezda.