Mikoyan Skat Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

The Mikoyan Skat UAV has now evolved into an armed Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle project.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Mikoyan Skat Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). Entry last updated on 7/6/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The Mikoyan Skat is an in-development armed Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) with origins in a Russian Defense Ministry reconnaissance-minded Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The product was first unveiled at MAKS 2007 and has since evolved to fulfill a greater, growing need in the Russian Air Force - particularly in keeping pace with developments emerging from the West and China. As it stands, the Skat is to be armed with precision-guided munitions held internally, feature a tailless design and incorporate stealth features for airspace penetration.

The original unarmed Skat was ordered as an armed version in 2013.

The Skat UCAV is to be powered by a single RD-5000B series turbofan engine of approximately 11,200lbs thrust buried in the fuselage's center mass (the engine similar to that as used on the Mikoyan MiG-29 "Fulcrum" fighter series). Avionics, fuel and other flight-critical components will also reside in this section. The vehicle's profile will feature a tailless approach which means no vertical tail surfaces will be used. The planform is reminiscent of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber of the United States Air Force with its saw-tooth trailing edges and arrowhead-like leading edge. The undercarriage will be appropriately retractable as the aircraft will stand on three wheeled legs (two main and one nose leg). The munitions payload will be housed in two separate bays outboard of centerline. The engine will be aspirated through a split-duct intake opening at the front of the aircraft. All physical features of the aircraft will reside above the wing to promote as flat a downward-facing shape as possible.

Performance specifics currently include a maximum speed of 500 miles per hour with a service ceiling up to 40,000 feet and an overall range out to 2,500 miles.

Any available statistics for the Mikoyan Skat Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 500mph

Lo: 250mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (497mph).

Graph average of 375 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Mikoyan Skat's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

12

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: Russia

Year: 2015

Type: Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

Manufacturer(s): Mikoyan - Russia

Production: 12

Global Operators:
Russia (probable)

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Mikoyan Skat model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
0

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
33.63 ft

Meters
10.25 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
37.73 ft

Meters
11.5 m

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
19,996 lb

Kilograms
9,070 kg