Russia Presents S-76 Heavy Cargo Drone

Russia has introduced a new large cargo drone, the S-76, featuring an integrated cargo compartment.

The platform was developed under the auspices of Rostec, a state-owned defense conglomerate investing heavily in dual-use unmanned systems.

S-76 has completed its initial round of flight testing, which focused on vertical takeoff, stable hovering, and precision landing.

The drone is being positioned as a civil and government transport solution, aimed at delivering cargo to remote or infrastructure-limited areas.

According to its developers, the broader goal is to establish a fully automated aerial logistics system that reduces human involvement in cargo transport.

Though marketed as a civilian platform, the S-76 could have military applications, including resupply missions or transport of ammunition.

A key feature of the drone is its ability to take off and land without prepared infrastructure, which allows for use in austere or forward-deployed environments.

S-76 has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,500 kilograms and can carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms — a significant capacity for a drone of this class.

The fuselage measures 7.2 meters in length, with a wingspan of 11 meters. It cruises at 180 km/h and can fly at altitudes up to 4,000 meters.

With in-field refueling, the drone can operate at ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers. Without refueling at the landing site, its effective range drops to 500 kilometers.

As such, S-76 could serve both as a civilian logistics platform and a potential basis for military adaptations.

It is worth recalling that the Norwegian firm Griff Aviation has recently delivered its GRIFF 60 heavy-lift drone to the Ukrainian military.