Tipchak (1K133) Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The Tipchak 1K133 is a tactical reconnaissance system developed to replace the Kulon Stroi-P. The platform for the Tipchak is the Rybinsk-based Luch designed 9M62 (BLA-05). The 9M62 is launched by pneumatic catapult, is powered by a single 12hp Hirth piston engine, has an endurance of up to 4 hours, a maximum take-off weight of 70kg, a top speed of 200km/h, and has an entirely composite structure with a metal frame inside for higher strength and onboard camera protection. A parachute is used for recovery. Primary uses are search, detection, recognition, surface object coordinates determination, area surveillance, and adjustment of fires. The Tipchak system consists of a two-part, vehicle-mounted command post, a UAV transport-launch vehicle, a technical maintenance vehicle, and six 9M62 UAVs. The deployment time in field conditions is 15-20 minutes. The UAVs operate in pairs. Based upon the operations in South Ossetia, the Russian military has complained about the Tipchak's UAVs stating that they are too noisy and those that use rocket-assisted take-off give away their launch site. There is also concern about the quality of the reconnaissance as the images provided by the FMV were not of tactical value. A problem with the friend-or-foe system was also reported by the Russian army (Source: TASS-Defense; published May 02, 2017).