Could deliver an army anywhere in the world in

Some nations are developing swarms of small drones for combat, spying on warzones as well as dropping payloads.

But Russia has reportedly set its sights on a supersonic behemoth, which could strike terror into the hearts of any enemies in the future.

Called the PAK TA, the conceptual aircraft is designed to carry troops and tanks at supersonic speeds and could take to the skies as early as 2024.

But some commentators say it’s unlikely that the plans will get off the ground.

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A conceptual aircraft called PAK TA (illustrated by Alexey Komarov, Customer and Technical Manager at Volga-Dnepr Group) could be used to deploy Russian troops anywhere in the world in just seven hours

The concept comes from the country’s Military-Industrial Commission, RT reported, and the design, drawn by a technical manager at Volga-Dnepr Group, shows a futuristic, plane with a cavernous fuselage complete with a large opening and jagged wings.

The plane is an unusual shape because it is intended to carry up to eight Armata tanks - which have yet to be built – complete with ammunition to anywhere in the world at supersonic speeds.

It would fly at speeds of over 1,200mph (2,000km/h) despite carrying a payload of up to 200 tonnes (200,000kg) with a range of more than 4,350 miles (7,000km).

The plane is an unusual shape because it is intended to carry up to eight Armata tanks - which have yet to be built – complete with ammunition to ‘anywhere in the world’ at supersonic speeds. This illustration shows a cavernous opening at the back of the aircraft

The programme envisages that 80 of these new aircraft (illustrated) would be built by 2024, enabling Russia to be able to drop a ready-made army wherever it may be needed in under seven hours

PAK TA SPECIFICATIONS Conceptual: The PAK TA aircraft is only a concept. Purpose: The aircraft is designed to carry troops and tanks at supersonic speeds, so that a small army could be deployed anywhere in the world in just seven hours. Speed: The plane would fly at supersonic speeds of over 1,200mph (2,000km/h). Payload: Up to 200 tonnes (2 million kg) which is enough for several tanks and ammunition. Range: More than 4,350 miles (7,000km). Power: A video hints that the plane could be partially electric. Timing: The PAK TA programme envisages that 80 of the aircraft would be built by 2024. Advertisement

The speed is comparable to that of a light fighter jet, leading some commentators to brand the plans improbable and more of a flight of fancy than a serious plan.

The top speed of the US’ largest transport plane – the C-5M Super Galaxy – is 518mph (834km/h) PopSci reported.

The design, imagined by an employee of a Russian aircraft company, also hints that if the plane were to be built, it would be partially powered by electricity.

While batteries can power small electric planes, the technology is unlikely to develop quickly enough to drive a huge supersonic craft, like the PAK TA.

The programme envisages that 80 of these new aircraft would be built by 2024, enabling Russia to be able to drop a ready-made army wherever it may be needed in under seven hours, Expert Online reported.

The vehicles could load cargo autonomously and be able to airdrop tanks and men onto tricky terrain.

The aircraft (illustrated) would fly at speeds of over 1,200mph (2,000km/h) despite carrying a payload of up to 200 tonnes (2million kg) with a range of more than 4,350 miles (7,000km)

The design (pictured) also hints that if the plane were to be built, it would be partially powered by electricity. So while batteries and electric batteries can power small planes, the technology is unlikely to develop quickly enough to drive a huge supersonic craft, like the PAK TA

‘With the development of a network of military bases in the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia, which is expected to be completed during the same time period [by 2024], it’s obvious that Russia is preparing for a full-scale military confrontation of transcontinental scale,’ Expert Online reported.

The PAK TA project is thought to have been underway for several years and is designed to replace the current generation of air freighters - Ilyushin and Antonov cargo aircraft.