Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Tupolev Tu-141
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1979–1989
Quantity
152
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · COLD WAR
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classmedium-range reconnaissance drone
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1974
- Service Entry Year1979
- Primary Rolereconnaissance
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe5MOD.5
- Length14.33 m
- Wingspan3.88 m
- Height2.44 m
- Max Takeoff Weight6,215 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeTumansky KR-17A
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
◇Performance5MOD.5
- Top Speed1,100 km/h
- Cruise Speed1,000 km/h
- Service Ceiling6,000 m
- Range1,000 km
- Combat / Operating Radius1,000 km
◆Payload & Sensors3MOD.3
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedYes
- Hardpoints0
- Weapon Typesloitering munition
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy4MOD.4
- Control TypeRemotely-controlled
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built152
- Operators1
- Variants0
◎Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1979
- Production End1989
- Operational StatusActive with the Ukrainian armed forces
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1979Production started
- 1989Production ended
- 2014First deployment: Russo-Ukrainian War
47
years in service
10
years in production
152
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
183RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES14COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES1030RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS126PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar are airborne radar systems used to detect, track, and image moving or stationary targets on the ground, regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources