The United States of America is solving operational tasks with the help of shock unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These funds, according to experts, are used by Americans on almost all continents. The US Air Force can send deadly flying devices to anywhere in the world where their national interests are present. For obvious reasons, the exception is the "allies" of the Americans and Russia. The United States MQ-1 and MQ-9 have been widely used in Afghanistan and Iraq. Judging by the reviews, many are interested in whether Russia has similar aircraft. According to experts, since 2007, aircraft designers have been working on the creation of a UAV Skat. Information about the device, the purpose and flight performance of this device is contained in the article.
Acquaintance
UAV “Skat” is a joint development of the experimental design bureau of Mikoyan and OJSC “Klimov”. This machine is a reconnaissance and strike drone.
For the first time, the MAKS-2007 air show was the venue for the public display. Then the product was a full-size layout. The Russian corporation MiG finances the design work. Impact UAV "Skat", according to experts, was an unexpected and interesting novelty in MAKS-2007. For a short time due to lack of funding, the project was not carried out. However, they were resumed from December 2015, as stated by Sergey Korotkov, Director General of MiG RSK.
Description
During the design work, the designers applied the “flying wing” scheme. For UAV "Skat" tail is not provided. The device uses composite materials. The body of the aircraft has a triangular shape. UAVs are characterized by sweep at the leading edges at an angle of 54 degrees. The wing consoles have zero tapering and cut off wingtips, which are 90 degrees to the edges. In order to reduce radar visibility, the construction of external contours, panel joints, hatch flaps and niches was carried out along several axes located in parallel. The UAV uses an aircraft-type landing gear with a three-bearing scheme, so that the UAV can land and take off on the airfield. The chassis is retractable. Each rack is equipped with one wheel. The front support and the lever rack are retracted into the housing compartment. The remaining lever supports are in special niches. Information on avionics 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 determine and recognize targets and decide what type of weapon it will use. In addition, Skat will be equipped with means for electronic countermeasures and reconnaissance. With their help, the UAV will be able to ensure survival in a combat situation.
About the powertrain
The UAV is equipped with one RD-5000B single-circuit dual-circuit turbojet engine. Its thrust is 5040 kgf.
Trying to make the Skat as inconspicuous as possible, Russian designers in the power plant provided a flat nozzle. The nose of the drone became the place of the frontal unregulated air intake.
About destination
UAV "Skat" will perform the following tasks:
- Perform reconnaissance.
- Using aerial bombs and X-59 guided missiles, destroy enemy ground targets.
- With the help of X-31 missiles to strike at enemy radar systems.
According to experts, the reconnaissance and strike UAV Skat can operate autonomously or in conjunction with other aircraft. However, in the places where the anti-aircraft guns are concentrated, the enemy’s air defense, naval and ground moving and stationary targets, it’s primarily the drone that is sent.
About weapons
The 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 body, on the sides, near the power unit. Each of the compartments may contain one missile. For the UAV, several options are provided: missiles of the "air - ground" or "air - radar" class. An adjustable bomb may also be used. At the exhibition, the drone was equipped with the X-31P anti-radar missile and the KAB-500Kr adjustable bomb.
What is the feature?
According to experts, the “Skat: winged strike” submarine cannot be considered an ordinary flying drone. This unit can independently determine the purpose 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 and loses contact with the ground operator, its operation will remain quite effective. In addition, the application of air strikes at points with enemy radar means is considered its basic function.
About flight performance
- The total length of the UAV Skat is 10.25 m.
- The presence of the crew is not provided.
- The height of the apparatus is 270 cm.
- Wingspan - 1150 cm.
- The Skat is equipped with a three-leg chassis.
- The maximum take-off weight reaches 20 thousand kg.
- The aircraft is equipped with one RD-5000B engine, which has a flat nozzle.
- The drone is capable of speeds up to 850 km / h.
- It overcomes distances of up to 4 thousand meters.
- Practical ceiling - no more than 15 thousand m.
- Combat use in a radius of 1200 m.
- The mass of the combat load is 6 thousand kg.
- The Skat is equipped with pendants located at 4 points of the bomb bay.
Finally
UAV "Skat" is the weapon of the future. According to many military experts, in creating such models, Russia is not inferior, but even superior to its potential opponents.