Yakovlev Shmel
Yakovlev Design Bureau · Russia · first flew 1983 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Yakovlev Shmel (Bumblebee) is a family of Soviet and Russian small piston-engined target drones used for training air-defence and fighter crews.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 3.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- small piston-engined target drone with tractor propeller
- conventional monoplane layout
- low-observable coating on some variants
The Shmel's compact mid-wing monoplane layout with a nose-mounted tractor propeller and slender fuselage is characteristic of purpose-built target drones. Its small size — under four metres wingspan — and the presence of a launch rail attachment below the fuselage distinguish it from manned training aircraft.
Specifications
- The Yakovlev Shmel has a length of 3.4 m (11 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.25 m (11 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by the Yakovlev OKB in the early 1980s, the Shmel entered service as an aerial target simulating subsonic strike aircraft. It could be rail-launched and recovered by parachute for reuse. The design evolved into reconnaissance variants capable of carrying electro-optical payloads.
Variants
The Shmel-1 was the baseline target drone; later variants developed reconnaissance capability. The Shmel-2 offered improved range and payload.
Where you'll see it
In service with the Soviet and then Russian Air Force since the mid-1980s. Used at air-defence ranges across Russia and has been exported to several former Soviet states.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.