Combat UAVs were Equipped with Loitering Munition

Combat UAVs were Equipped with Loitering Munition

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Belarus largely invests in the development of UAVs, and the country`s military now operates a large fleet of tactical reconnaissance UAVs. The Belarus armed forces have unveiled new types of unmanned aerial vehicles which are now in service during the recent military parade marking the Belarus Independence day.

Showcased were two Burevestnik-MB fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), that were carried on MAZ-6317-family trucks. This UAV features twin-boom design and has a range of flight of up to 290 km, a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 400 kg, and an endurance of up to 10 hours.

The UAV is powered by a piston engine, which produces a cruise speed of 120-150 km/h and a maximum speed of 220 km/h. The Burevestnik-MB can fly at a maximum altitude of 3,200 m and has a ceiling of 5,000 m. It can carry a payload of 60 kg.

The UAV is fitted with two loitering munitions, each of which is powered by a piston engine. The smaller munition carries a payload of 10 kg, including a guidance system and a warhead, and has a range of flight of 30-40 km and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It can be replaced by S-8-family 80 mm unguided rockets, according to armyrecognition.com.

The other model showcased, Busel-MB, used to perform reconnaissance missions. It has an MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) of 10 kg and an endurance of up to two hours and is fitted with a TV/infrared camera.

The Busel-MB is powered by two electric engines, which produce a speed of 60-120 km/h and a range of 50 km. The Busel-MB flies at a height of up to 5,000 m. It is fitted with a combined GPS/GLONASS navigation system coupled to an autopilot. The UAV is launched by a catapult.

Both unmanned vehicles have been developed by Scientific-Manufacturing Centre of Multipurpose Unmanned Systems (NPTs MBK) of Belarus` Academy of Sciences (NANB).

The Burevestnik-MB is reported to be the first UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle ) in service with the Belarus armed forces.