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UKRSPEC Systems Leleka-100

2015 MODERN

History of UKRSPEC Systems Leleka-100

Before the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry was thriving, with the introduction of the Leleka-100 drone in 2015 by UKRSPEC Systems. This drone, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, gained popularity for its robustness, versatility, and affordability. It supported 24/7 operations, had a rugged design with twin-bladed propellers, and offered gyro-stabilized optics for high-resolution imaging. Communication between the drone and the ground control station was encrypted, ensuring secure operations over a 28-mile range.

The Leleka-100 operated autonomously once in the air, following pre-programmed waypoints and featuring an "auto-return" safety feature in case of signal loss. It had a flight time of up to 2.5 hours, reaching a maximum altitude of 5,000 feet, and a maximum take-off weight of 12 lbs. Transporting the drone was made easy with a lightweight, sturdy container suitable for commercial land vehicles. It employed bungee/catapult launch or belly/parachute landing for take-off and landing.

This tactical-grade UAS found applications not only in the military but also in industrial and civilian sectors, serving as a versatile and cost-effective solution for a wide range of operations.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 2015

Origins: Ukraine

Status: Active.

Crew: 0

Production: 1,000

Manufacturer: UKRSPEC Systems - Ukraine

Operator: Ukraine

Roles

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Special Forces

Serve special forces/special operations forces and missions.

Unmanned

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

Note features

Pusher bracket

The design features a rearward push rod arrangement in contrast to the more traditional pull rod arrangement.

All Electric

The design uses an all-electric powerplant for propulsion.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High performance

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

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Unmanned operation

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

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

Camera equipment

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

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 6.5 feet (1.98m)

Width/span: 11.5 feet (3.50m)

Height: 3.7 feet (1.14m)

Cured weight: 13 lbs (6kg)

MTOW: 13 lbs (6kg)

Main Aircraft Structure

Monoplane

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

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x electric motor drives 2 x two-bladed propellers in a puller configuration on the leading edge of the wing and 1 x two-bladed propellers in a pusher configuration on the rear of the fuselage.