Description:
The Stroi-P is a tactical reconnaissance system based on Yakovlev's Pchela-1T Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The system was designed to perform ground target detection and designation to land based and airborne platforms' weapon systems. Battle damage and fire adjustment assessments can be performed as well. Up to two Pchela-1T air vehicles can operate simultaneously while controlled by a single ground control station at ranges of up to 60 kilometers. Russian officials claim that Pchela UAV use in cooperation with field artillery and air strikes improves fire efficiency by 35 to 45 percent.
The Pchela-1T is a small-size, remotely controlled vehicle that can be outfitted with different modular payloads for reconnaissance purposes. The system also includes a launcher (catapult) and recuperation vehicle based on a GAZ-66 truck, up to ten Pchela-1T air vehicles each fitted with two solid-propellant expendable boosters, maintenance equipment mounted on URAL-4320 truck, and a mobile ground control post mounted on an all-terrain truck. The mobile control post or ground control station may be a BTR-D air droppable vehicle. The air vehicle uses the rocket booster for taking off and the recovery depends on a parachute and shock-absorbing legs.
Typically, the Pchela-1T unmanned airborne reconnaissance system will operate among Smerch, Grad and 2S19 artillery units as well as in cooperation with combat helicopters and low flying attack aircraft. It can accommodate CCD-TV, low light TV, Infrared Imaging, tri-band IR imaging, and other payloads. The air vehicle receives navigation updates through a built-in GPS receiver yielding an estimated location error around 30 meters. Each air vehicle has a service life of five launch/recovery cycles.
Specifications Accommodation: Unmanned
Dimensions: Length 2.8 m, Wingspan 3.3 m
Weights: Max Weight 138 kg (304 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 2,500 m (8,202 ft) 100 meters minimum flight altitude and 3,500 meters maximum flight altitude, Endurance 4 hours 30 min, Max Range 60 km (32 nm) from the ground control station, Top Speed 180 kph (112 mph)
Russia