Yakovlev Pchela (Bee)

The story of Yakovlev Pechera (the bee)

In recent years, the Russian Armed Forces have deployed an increasing number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One type that entered the Russian Air Force's inventory was the compact Yakovlev "Pchela" ("Bee"), used in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) roles.

The system is used by the militaries of Russia and North Korea (2018). The first flight was recorded in 1990.

The design of the aircraft consists of a tubular fuselage with optics and avionics at the front and a power pack at the rear. The optics are housed in a lateral "blister" mounted in the chin position and integrate the live video feed with protected data connectivity - enabling ground commanders to access real-time battlefield data.

The engine drives a shrouded propeller unit in a "propeller" configuration at the stern. Above the midship is the shoulder-mounted straight-wing main aircraft. The landing gear is a static, shock-absorbing quadruped.

By design, the aircraft's remote-controlled ground station has an operational range of up to 40 miles and can reach altitudes in excess of 8,000 feet. Top speed is over 110 mph. In total, the system can stay in the air for about two hours. The launch requires the use of two solid-propellant booster rocket motors and recovery via deployed parachutes to delay the vehicle's fall as it returns to the ground.

The aircraft can either fly through preset mission waypoints (automatic flight) or through remote manual input from a ground operator.

In addition to its stated value to the ISR role, the Pchela can be used to designate targets for escort fighter jets, and can also be used as targeting drones for training operations. Like other drones in this class, the Pchela is equipped with a modular payload capacity that can be assembled according to customer needs.

According to Yakovlev's marketing materials, the complete Pchela field system consists of up to 10 aircraft with associated (optional) booster launchers, mobile GCS and launch track (mounted in a compact Airdropped on BTR-D tracked armored vehicles). , a URAL-4320 support military truck and a GAZ-66 load-transport series military truck.

Specification

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