The United States of America solves operational tasks with the help of strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These funds, according to experts, are used by Americans on almost all continents. The deadly aircraft of the US Armed Forces can be sent to any part of the world where their national interests are. For obvious reasons, the "allies" of the Americans and Russia are an exception. United States MQ-1s and MQ-9s were widely used in Afghanistan and Iraq. Judging by the reviews, many are interested in whether Russia has such aircraft. According to experts, aircraft designers have been working on the creation of the Skat UAV since 2007. Information about the device, purpose and flight performance of this device is contained in the article.
Introduction
UAV "Skat" is a joint development of an experienceddesign bureau of Mikoyan and JSC "Klimov". This vehicle is a reconnaissance and strike drone.
For the first time, the air show MAKS-2007 became the venue for the demonstration of the device to the public. Then the product was a full-size layout. The design work is financed by the Russian corporation MiG. The Skat attack UAV, according to experts, has become an unexpected and interesting novelty at MAKS-2007. For a short time, due to lack of funding, work on the project was not carried out. However, they were resumed from December 2015, as stated by the General Director of RAC "MiG" Sergey Korotkov.
Description
During the design work, the designers used the "flying wing" scheme. For UAV "Skat" tail is not provided. Composite materials are used in the device. The body of the aircraft has a triangular shape. UAVs are characterized by sweeping at the leading edges at an angle of 54 degrees. The wing consoles have zero taper and cut ends, which are located at an angle of 90 degrees to the edges. In order to reduce radar visibility, the construction of external contours, panel joints, hatch doors and niches was carried out along several parallel axes. The UAV uses an aircraft-type chassis with a tricycle scheme, thanks to which the UAV can land and take off on the airfield. Retractable chassis. Each rack is equipped with one wheel. The front support and lever rack are retracted into the body compartment. The remaining lever supports are in special niches. Information on onboard equipment is currently not available. However, as experts suggest, most likely, the UAV will be equipped with autonomous sighting systems, with the help of which the drone will be able to identify and recognize targets and decide which type of weapon to use. In addition, Skat will be equipped with electronic countermeasures and reconnaissance equipment. With their help, the UAV will be able to ensure its survival in a combat situation.
About powertrain
The UAV is equipped with one RD-5000B turbojet without afterburner. Its thrust is 5040 kgf.
In an effort to make the Skat as invisible as possible, Russian designers provided a flat nozzle in the power plant. The nose of the drone became the place of the frontal unregulated air intake.
About purpose
The Skat UAV will perform the following tasks:
- Reconnaissance.
- Using air bombs and Kh-59 guided missiles, destroy enemy ground targets.
- Use Kh-31 missiles to strike enemy radar systems.
According to experts, the Skat reconnaissance and strike UAV can operate independently or in conjunction with other aircraft. However, in places where anti-aircraft guns, enemy air defense systems, sea and ground moving and stationary targets are concentrated, it is the drone that is sent first of all.
About weapons
"Skat" is equipped with two compartments with a combat load of not more than 6 thousand kg. Their length is 440 cm. They are located in the inner part of the case, on the sides, near the power unit. Each of the compartments can contain one rocket. There are several options for UAVs: air-to-ground missiles or air-to-radar missiles. A guided bomb can also be used. At the exhibition, the drone was equipped with an Kh-31P anti-radar missile and a KAB-500Kr guided bomb.
What's special?
According to experts, the Skat: winged strike PLA cannot be considered an ordinary flying drone. This device can independently determine the target and decide which weapon to use. Thus, the effective operation of the drone is not affected by the terrain and enemy electronic countermeasures. If Skat moves too far away and loses contact with the ground operator, its work will still be quite effective. In addition, inflicting air strikes on points with enemy radar facilities is considered its basic function.
About flight performance
- The total length of the Skat UAV is 10.25 m.
- No crew available.
- Height of the device - 270 cm.
- Wingspan - 1150 cm.
- Scat is equipped with a tricycle landing gear.
- The maximum takeoff weight reaches 20 thousand kg.
- The aircraft is equipped with one RD-5000B engine havingflat nozzle.
- The drone is capable of speeds up to 850 km/h.
- Overcomes distances up to 4 thousand meters.
- Practical ceiling - no more than 15 thousand m.
- Combat use within a radius of 1200 m.
- The mass of the combat load is 6 thousand kg.
- "Scat" is equipped with suspensions located at 4 points of the bomb bays.
In closing
UAV "Scat" is the weapon of the future. According to many military experts, in creating such models, Russia is not inferior, but even surpasses its potential opponents.
