ZALA 421-16
ZALA Aero · Russia · first flew 2007 · reconnaissance aircraft
The ZALA 421-16 is a small electric hand-launched reconnaissance UAV produced by the Russian company ZALA Aero, a subsidiary of Kalashnikov Concern.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × electric, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 0.81 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small hand-launched fixed-wing UAV with pusher propeller at the rear
- High straight wing spanning roughly 2.1 m
- Blunt nose with payload bay; conventional tail on slender boom
Very small wingspan of around 2.1 m; pusher propeller at the rear of a short fuselage distinguishes it from tractor-prop UAVs. High straight wing and twin-boom or conventional tail configuration typical of the ZALA family.
Specifications
- The ZALA 421-16 has a length of 0.81 m (3 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 2.1 m (7 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
ZALA Aero, based in Izhevsk, developed the 421-16 as part of a family of mini-UAVs for Russian military and law enforcement use. The type entered service in the late 2000s and has been widely used by Russian forces for tactical reconnaissance, with documented use in Syria and Ukraine.
Variants
Multiple sub-variants exist with different payload packages; the 421-16E2 introduced extended endurance.
Where you'll see it
Used by Russian Ground Forces, National Guard (Rosgvardiya), and security services; documented operational use in both the Syrian intervention and the war in Ukraine from 2022.
Related aircraft
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