The Mikoyan Skat UAV has now evolved into an armed Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle project.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
7/6/2017
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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.
Specifications
Year: 2015
Crew 0
[ 12 Units ] : Mikoyan - Russia
Russia (probable)
- Ground Attack
- Unmanned
Length:
33.63 ft (10.25 m)
Width/Span:
37.73 ft (11.5 m)
(Showcased structural dimension values pertain to the Mikoyan Skat production model)
MTOW:
19,996 lb (9,070 kg)
(Diff: +19,996lb)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the Mikoyan Skat production model)
1 x Klimov RD-5000B engine of unknown thrust.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the Mikoyan Skat production model)
Maximum Speed:
497 mph (800 kph; 432 kts)
Service Ceiling:
39,370 feet (12,000 m; 7.46 miles)
Maximum Range:
1,243 miles (2,000 km; 1,080 nm)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Mikoyan Skat production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
Precision guided munitions held in two internal weapons bays.
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Mikoyan Skat production model)
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Russia (probable)
