Belarus armed forces showed two Burevestnik-MB fixed-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), that were carried on MAZ-6317-family trucks.
This UAV features twin-boom design and has a range of flight of up to 290 km, a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 400 kg, and an endurance of up to 10 hours. The Burevestnik-MB is powered by a piston engine, which produces a cruise speed of 120-150 km/h and a maximum speed of 220 km/h.
The Burevestnik-MB can fly at a maximum altitude of 3,200 m and has a ceiling of 5,000 m. It can carry a payload of 60 kg.
The Burevestnik-MB is fitted with two loitering munitions, each of which is powered by a piston engine. The smaller munition carries a payload of 10 kg, including a guidance system and a warhead, and has a range of flight of 30-40 km and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It can be replaced by S-8-family 80 mm unguided rockets.
The Busel-MB is another new UAV showed at the Belarus military parade of July, 2018, it used to perform reconnaissance missions. The Busel-MB has a MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) of 10 kg and an endurance of up to two hours and is fitted with a TV/infrared camera. The Busel-MB is powered by two electric engines, which produce a speed of 60-120 km/h and a range of 50 km. The Busel-MB flies at a height of up to 5,000 m. It is fitted with a combined GPS/GLONASS navigation system coupled to an autopilot. The UAV is launched by a catapult.
Both unmanned vehicles have been developed by Scientific-Manufacturing Centre of Multipurpose Unmanned Systems (NPTs MBK) of Belarus` Academy of Sciences (NANB). Belarus largely invests in the development of UAVs. The country`s military now operates a large fleet of tactical reconnaissance UAVs.
The Burevestnik-MB is reported to be the first UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle ) in service with the Belarus armed forces. In September 2017, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said the Belarusian troops would get more UCAVs in the next few months.
Gabriel Bazzolo
quDron
