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Yakovlev Pchela
Photo: Piotr Butowski · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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YakovlevPchela

Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Russia · 1986
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YakovlevPchela

⚙ Yakovlev Shmel variant
Yakovlev Pchela
Yakovlev Pchela Photo: Piotr Butowski · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sensor Payload
40
Endurance
30
Operating Altitude
25
Range
35
Data-Link
45
Stealth / Survivability
20
Image Quality
50
Autonomy
30
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin Russia
CategoryReconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
In service1986
Operators2 countries
Data Quality84%
36
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones MASS Rating
232/288
All-Time
Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · 10 axes scored
Sensor Payload
40
Endurance
30
Operating Altitude
25
Range
35
Data-Link
45
Stealth / Survivability
20
Image Quality
50
Autonomy
30
Technology
40
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Yakovlev Pchela
Country
Production
1986–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
—
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
36
reconnaissance / surveillance drones category
ⓘ 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
  • Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Unmanned air vehicle
  • First Flight1986
  • Primary Rolesurveillance and observation in battlefield environments
  • In ServiceYes
◈Airframe2MOD.2
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
◇Performance5MOD.5
  • Top Speed180 km/h
  • Cruise Speed120 km/h
  • Service Ceiling2,500 m
  • Range60 km
  • Endurance2
◆Payload & Sensors2MOD.2
▤Armament2MOD.2
▲Production1MOD.1
  • Operators2
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1986Production started
40
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones entry →