Russian UAV "Pchela" ("Bee")

[Kingpin]

One of the most modern UAVs in service of Russian army (though not most capable in some aspects if comparing to good old Tu-243). Widely used in Chechnya by 45th Airborne Regiment.


Russian Ministry of Defense ordered additional 4 "Stroi-P" UAV systems. Each system is equipped with a launching vehicle, command and control center, and 10 "Pchela-1T" (see photo below) radio-controlled planes powered by a 32-hp piston prop engine. The UAV weighs 138 kg, has a 50-km operational radius and 50 m - 2.5 km operational altitude range. The "Pchela-1T" can remain in the air for 2 hours and is equipped with a high-resolution TV camera allowing for real-time visual surveillance. The system is launched from a mobile platform using rocket boosters. The "Stroi-P" UAV system is designed by the "Coulomb" scientific research institute and the "Pchela-1T" plane is developed by Yakovlev Design Bureau. The system is manufactured in Smolensk, with electronic systems manufactured in Kishtimsk, and the launcher is made in Makhachkala. The "Pchela-1T" UAV is a non-metallic construction with low noise levels ensuring the plane's high survivability. The "Pchela-1T" plane is stored in a impact-resistant case which can be parachuted from a plane or helicopter and carried by two people. Designer General of UAV department of Yakovlev OKB Yuri Yankevich said that so far there were no UAV losses due to any reasons. According to Yankevich, Ministry of defense needs 10 "Stroi-P" systems with 100 "Pchela-1T" UAV's. Mr. Yankevich also mentioned that his design department has developed an advanced version of "Pchela-1T" with far better technical and economic characteristics. Little is known about this new system and it is not yet in production.

http://www.foxbat.ru/maks/2001/yak/yak04.jpg

http://www.foxbat.ru/maks/2001/yak/yak03.jpg

[Kingpin]

About "good old" Tu-243 you can read here:
http://www.aeronautics.ru/nws001/tu243/

http://www.aeronautics.ru/img001/reisd01.jpg


Tu-243 Reis-D with launcher vehicle

[wholagun]

interesting, looks smaller then the predator too.

[AVZ]

doesn't look stealthy :(

[REMOV]

One of the most modern UAVs in service of Russian armyEkhm... most modern? The first flight of the Pchela-1 was in 1983...

Kingpin try to find some information about more modern UAVs like Schmel (1989), Sokol, Expert, Tu-300 Korshun (1995) or Ka-137 or Oriel, Romb, C-65 or M-55RTR ;)

http://airbase.ru/cache/alpha/rus/s/sova/img/800x600/Img_0904.jpg
Russian micro-helicopter Sova (Owl)

[Kingpin]

REMOV.

In service! Remember that.
Also note "one of...". :)
So my statement correct. :)

[Kingpin]

BTW Shmel and Pchela are the same UAVs (Shmel is newer variant i suppose)

[Kingpin]

Interesting photo:
http://www.airwar.ru/image/i/spy/tu123-i.jpg

Tactical UAV Tu-143 (entered service 1976, produced 950 planes) near strategical UAV Tu-123 (entered service 1972, produced 52 planes)

Compare sizes and also compare to this:
http://www.aeronautics.ru/img001/reisd01.jpg

[REMOV]

BTW Shmel and Pchela are the same UAVs (Shmel is newer variant i suppose)Not exactly - Pchela is Yak-060, and Shmel is Yak-061.

The Pchela-1M was used in Chechnya in 1995 to designate targets for Mi-24 assault helicopters and by the 106th Naval Regiment which used them to recon operation in mountain area (10 operations, overal time: 7h 25m). One UAV was lost (operators fault). The second combat use was in October 1999 to February 2000, also in Chechnya, 12 operations, no loses.

In 1997 several Pchela UAVs were sold to North Korea. Also in 1997 Pchela (Stroy-P (1985) or Strieh (1990) or Malahit (1992) complex, this name was often changed, nowadays is called Stroy-PM) was adopted by the Russian Land Forces.

[RuSoKaR]

does anyone have any good sites about latest Russian UAVs?

[SerbPVO]

New family of Russian UAVs - made by Sukhoi

Pics from MAKS 2003, largest airshow in the world.

http://maks.sukhoi.ru/media/photo/maks2003/maks2003d1137.jpg

http://maks.sukhoi.ru/media/photo/maks2003/maks2003d1106.jpg

http://maks.sukhoi.ru/media/photo/maks2003/maks2003d1003.jpg

[He219]

This clearly shows that Sukhoi still builds the best model airplanes in the world!


;)

[Macs.]

This clearly shows that Sukhoi still builds the best model airplanes in the world!


;)

Good One ! p-)

[Brozozo]

Only if the Russians' ability to finance their fleet of planes and buy their newest models paralleled their ability to design them.

[RuSoKaR]

Only if the Russians' ability to finance their fleet of planes and buy their newest models paralleled their ability to design them.

Well economy is getting up,

Thanks Serb, but do you know the latest Russian working prototype of the UAV?

[SerbPVO]

Guys, let not forget...Russia is planning to buy over 600 PAK-FA's, while the number of F-22 planned for USAF is ever diminishing(~200 and counting down)

[RuSoKaR]

planning....

but Mi-28N entered mass production, and Su-34 will also enter mass production after they'll test that prototype.

[Abbyy]

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/804918.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE20AC60A9F8D0F9772442915075EF9D48

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/804922.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DEE2D6F38CBC9A652FD7D52AAB7262B372


A picture taken at 2500 meters over Chechnyan city of Argun before bombing by a Russian Ptchela-1 is seen, July 12, 2000, during "URALARMS 2000", the second major world exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Nizhni Tagil, Russia. The Ptchela-1 flies without on-board pilot, can carry bombs and surveillance camera, and flies at very low altitude for anti-radar detection. More than 170 exhibitors displayed their products to visitors and delegates from 64 countries.

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/804913.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE20AC60A9F8D0F97733DEBDD572506016

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/804927.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DEE2D6F38CBC9A652F67F8FDA3DF66B0D1


A Russian Ptchela-1 stands ready to take off, July 12, 2000, during "URALARMS 2000", the second major world exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Nizhni Tagil, Russia. The Ptchela-1 flies without on-board pilot, can carry bombs and surveillance camera, and flies at very low altitude for anti-radar detection. More than 170 exhibitors displayed their products to visitors and delegates from 64 countries.

[ocean]

Will that UAV AWCS be carrying phased array radar?

[usa320]

Its all ****.

Global hawks are where its at.

[bison3255]

thank you for the educated opinion

[sergey31]

I made some improvements.
http://www.aeronautics.ru/ka137b.jpg
This is better.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/Artwork/Image37gat.jpg
And this one.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/Artwork/4B.jpg
and a bigger one.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/Artwork/2I.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/Artwork/5a.jpg

[intelligenzija]

thats great - how do you colorated them?

[sergey31]

Thanks... I use color ink refills. Usually take apart those fat rainbow multi-color pens and just use the ink refills, not too many colors to chose from though.
These...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/P1104660.jpg

[Sirpad]

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/01/11/13167536.jpg
Sterkh, the BMD-based launcher vehicle of the pchela - also seen at abbyy's post.

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/01/11/28703048.jpg
Tu 123 Yastreb

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/01/11/76438312.jpg
same

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/01/11/19471158.jpg
Tu 141 Strizh Launch

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/01/11/32138612.jpg
Tu 141 Strizh loaded into C/L truck

some decent info here: http://www.milparade.com/catalog/part2/unmanned_aircraft.shtml

[kineret]

Thanks... I use color ink refills. Usually take apart those fat rainbow multi-color pens and just use the ink refills, not too many colors to chose from though.
These...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/P1104660.jpg

awesome illustrations. mustve taken a long time to create.

i made these pretty crappy sketches years ago in high school

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/t94.JPG


http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/t92.JPG

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/sol1.JPG

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/bigboy.JPG
Big Boy anti-peronnel mine rofl

[sergey31]

Those are pretty nice imagination....but 22mm cannon?
http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/t92.JPG

I also did something similar a-while back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/Artwork/Image1gh.jpg

[Nizark]

Haha, looks like a BBQ with a prop and some funky legs
<img src=http://www.aeronautics.ru/ka137b.jpg>

[zealot]

Thanks... I use color ink refills. Usually take apart those fat rainbow multi-color pens and just use the ink refills, not too many colors to chose from though.
These...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/sergey25/P1104660.jpg

awesome illustrations. mustve taken a long time to create.

i made these pretty crappy sketches years ago in high school

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/t94.JPG


http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/t92.JPG

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/sol1.JPG

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/bigboy.JPG
Big Boy anti-peronnel mine rofl

Nic work guys, start a new thread...

[zealot]

http://www.up-in-flames.com/business/art/bigboy.JPG

You cunning jew :lol:

[Johnny_H02]

So how long befor piloted Interceptors and bombers are a thing of the past?

taking any bets?

[zealot]

So how long befor piloted Interceptors and bombers are a thing of the past?

taking any bets?

In my opinion very LONG, IF EVER!!!

[Johnny_H02]

Yeah I wasnt trying to imply we will see drones as main weapons platforms but its not hard to percieve that eventually it will be developed.

[kineret]

awesome designs! do you have on online portfolio or something? very futuristic, reminds me of design sketches for games like Homeworld

http://www.homeworld2.com/img/gallery/large/concept_4.jpg

http://www.homeworld2.com/img/gallery/large/concept_7.jpg

http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/HW2_Comps_11_RC_V_fighter.jpg


http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/concept_Hiigaran_Bomber.jpg

[sergey31]

Yeah I wasnt trying to imply we will see drones as main weapons platforms but its not hard to percieve that eventually it will be developed.

In 80 years there will be no pilots, not even comercial airliners.