Yakovlev Pchela-1T
Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1990 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Yakovlev Pchela-1T (Bee) is a Soviet/Russian tactical short-range reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle developed in the late 1980s for battlefield surveillance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Boxy fuselage with twin-boom option |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small high-wing unmanned reconnaissance drone
- Piston pusher or tractor engine
- Boxy fuselage with twin-boom option
A small, high-wing monoplane drone with a boxy fuselage, fixed undercarriage, and a single piston engine; compact size distinguishes it from larger reconnaissance types.
Specifications
- The Yakovlev Pchela-1T has a length of 2.78 m (9 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.25 m (11 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by the Yakovlev OKB, the Pchela-1T flew first around 1990 and entered limited Russian military service in the 1990s. It saw operational use during the First Chechen War in 1994–1996, providing real-time video reconnaissance.
Variants
The Pchela-1T was the primary production variant; further development led to the improved Pchela-1MT with enhanced sensors.
Where you'll see it
Used by Russian ground forces primarily during the Chechen conflicts; it represented Russia's early effort to field a practical battlefield UAV.
Related aircraft
- Yakovlev Yak-112
- Yakovlev Yak-44
- Yakovlev Yak-141
- Yakovlev Yak-54
- IAI Searcher
- Denel Dynamics Seeker
- EC-130V Hercules
- General Atomics GNAT
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