Tupoelv Tu-143 (Reys / Flight)

1982 COLD WAR MODERN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

• 1 History of Tupoelv Tu-143 (Reys / Flight)
• 2 Tupoelv Tu-143 (Reys / Flight) Specification
  • 2.1 BASICS
  • 2.2 Roles
  • 2.3 Notable features
  • 2.4 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.5 Main aircraft structure
  • 2.6 Performance
  • 2.7 VARIANTS

History of Tupoelv Tu-143 (Reys / Flight)

The Tupolev Tu-143 (Reys) is a reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by the Soviet Union, designed for short to medium altitudes. Introduced in 1976, around 950 units were produced, serving various Soviet Bloc countries, including Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Iraq, Romania, and Slovakia. Although considered obsolete by design as of 2022, it remains in service with nations like Belarus, North Korea, Russia (used as an air target), Syria, and Ukraine.

The Tu-143 features a rocket-like design with a turbojet engine at the rear of the fuselage and lacks conventional landing gear. Launched from a transport tube, it is recovered by parachute at the end of the mission. With dimensions of 26.4 feet in length, 7.3 feet wingspan, and 5 feet in height, the aircraft has a takeoff weight of 2,710 pounds, a top speed of 590 mph, and operational parameters including a service ceiling of 16,500 feet and a range of 125 miles.

Notable variants include the M-143 (1983), a target drone, and the Tu-243 (1987), an upgraded reconnaissance version with a longer fuselage, improved guidance systems, and a more powerful engine. A planned advanced model, the Tu-300 "Korshun," was announced in the late 1980s but faced delays until 2007, with the current development status unclear.

Tupoelv Tu-143 (Reys / Flight) Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 1982

Origins: Soviet Union

Status: Active.

Production: 950

Manufacturer: Tupolev OKB - USSR

Operators: Belarus; Bulgaria (formerly); Czech Republic (formerly); Czechoslovakia (formerly); Iraq (formerly); North Korea; Romania (formerly); Russia; Soviet Union (formerly) ; Slovakia (previously); Syria; Ukraine

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts: Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Unmanned: Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable features

Wing swept: The main plane or leading edge has retraction lines for improved high speed performance and handling.

High-speed performance: Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance: The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Unmanned operation: The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Camera equipment: Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 26.4 feet (8.05m)

Width/span: 7.4 feet (2.25m)

Height: 5. 1 feet (1.55m)

MTOW: 2,712 lbs (1,230 kg)

Main aircraft structure

Monoplane: Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Install low: The main aircraft is mounted low on the side of the fuselage.

Swipe back: The floor plan features a swept wing along the leading edge of the main aircraft, promoting higher operating speeds.

Performance

Installed: 1 x Klimov TR3-117 turbojet.

Maximum speed: 590 km/h(950 km/h | 513 kn)

Maximum: 16,404 feet (5,000 m | 3 mi)

Area: 124 km (200 km | 370 nautical miles)

VARIANTS

M-143 - Target drone. Tu-243 ("Reys-D") - 1998 improved variant; improved guidance to target area.

TR3-117 engine, 1,410 pounds of thrust; lengthened fuselage; increased range due to increased internal fuel load.

Tu-300 ("Korshun") - a modernized variant developed from 1995.