UKRJET UJ-22 (Airborne)

History of the UKRJET UJ-22 (Airborne)

The UJ-22 "Airborne" is a versatile Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) manufactured by UKRJET, Ukraine. It operates in various environments and weather conditions, featuring a straight main wing at the front and a biplane tail at the rear. The aircraft uses a wheeled fixed tricycle landing gear and a three-blade propeller on the nose.

The UJ-22 plays a crucial role on the modern battlefield, conducting intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) missions such as general reconnaissance, artillery reconnaissance, and search and rescue (SAR). In peacetime, it supports humanitarian operations, aerial research, rescue missions, and security and border/maritime surveillance.

The aircraft is controlled through a ground control station using a hand throttle stick (HOTAS) unit. It comes with the necessary equipment, including antennas, spare parts, tools, and shipping containers for transportation.

With a modular payload capacity of up to 20 kg, the UJ-22 can accommodate different optics based on customer requirements. It can achieve speeds of up to 160 km/h and altitudes of up to 6,000 meters, with a ground control station range of up to 100 kilometers and an autonomous range of up to 800 kilometers. The system can be prepared for flight in just three minutes.

In addition to the UJ-22, UKRJET produces other UAS models like the UJ-23 "Topaz" and UJ-31/UJ-32 "loitering munitions." Some of these systems have been deployed in combat missions over Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Specification

Basic

• Years in Service: 2020

• Origins: Ukraine

• Status: Active

• Crew: 0

• Production: 500

Manufacturer

UKRYET - Ukraine

Operator

Ukraine

Roles

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.

Unmanned

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

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

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.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

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.

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 conventional engine located at the front of the fuselage, driving a propeller unit in a three-bladed puller arrangement.

• Max Speed: 99 mph (160 kph | 86 kts)

• Cruise Speed: 75 mph (120 kph | 65 kts)

• Maximum Speed Diff: +25 mph (+40 kph | 22 kts)

• Ceiling: 19,685 ft (6,000 m | 4 mi)

• Range: 497 mi (800 km | 1,482 nm)

RANGES (MPH)

Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

ARMAMENT

None. Mission-specific payloads related to Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) sorties.