ZALA 421-20
ZALA Aero · Russia · first flew 2015 · reconnaissance aircraft
The ZALA 421-20 is a medium-range electric fixed-wing reconnaissance UAV from Russia's ZALA Aero, larger than the 421-16 and suited to longer-endurance tactical ISR missions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × electric, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Blunt sensor-laden nose and glazed payload bay under fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Medium-sized fixed-wing UAV with twin-tail booms and pusher propeller
- High straight wing; twin fins mounted on tail booms
- Blunt sensor-laden nose and glazed payload bay under fuselage
Twin tail booms with vertical fins at the rear are the key recognition feature. High straight wing and pusher electric motor at the rear of the central pod. Larger than the 421-16 but still small enough to be launched without a catapult.
Specifications
- The ZALA 421-20 has a length of 1.85 m (6 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.1 m (10 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed as an upgrade over the smaller ZALA mini-UAV series, the 421-20 provides improved endurance and payload capacity while remaining man-portable for field deployment. It entered service with Russian forces in the mid-2010s and has been used operationally in Ukraine.
Variants
Variants differ primarily in payload bay configuration for electro-optical or signals intelligence packages.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Russian Army reconnaissance units; the twin-boom configuration allows a larger central payload bay than the smaller 421-16.
Related aircraft
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