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-243
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1999–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
31
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
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV Classtactical reconnaissance UAV
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1987
- Service Entry Year1999
- Primary Roletactical reconnaissance
◈Airframe5MOD.5
- Length8.31 m
- Wingspan2.24 m
- Height1.54 m
- Empty Weight1,050 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,400 kg
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine Typeturbojet
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power628 kW
◇Performance7MOD.7
- Top Speed950 km/h
- Cruise Speed850 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,000 m
- Range400 km
- Endurance2
- Combat / Operating Radius200 km
- Maximum Payload150 kg
◆Payload & Sensors1MOD.1
- Sensor Payload Weight120 kg
▤Armament2MOD.2
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
⬢Control & Autonomy1MOD.1
- Control Typeground control with datalink
▲Production1MOD.1
- Variants1
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1994
- Operational Statusactive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1999Production started
- 2014First deployment: Russo-Ukrainian War
27
years in service
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 5 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Tupolev Tu-243 05 / Operators
Operator Countries10country
06 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
134RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES31POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES850RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS126PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📚 Sources