Bee (UAV)

Main article: Unmanned aerial vehicle (drone, UAV)

2024: Russian army receives' Bee'UAV to drop kamikaze drones

In the spring of 2024, the Russian army received a new multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "Bee," capable of carrying and launching kamikaze drones. This innovative complex significantly expands the possibilities of using small strike drones in the zone of a special military operation.

According to the Russian Engineer Telegram channel, the Pchelka UAV is a mixed circuit apparatus that combines the characteristics of an aircraft and a helicopter. This design provides optimal flight and take-off and landing characteristics. The drone is equipped with an internal combustion engine for horizontal flight and electric motors for vertical takeoff and landing.

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A key feature of the Bee is the ability to carry several small kamikaze drones and ensure their use. In addition, the device can serve as a radio signal repeater for guided drones, which significantly increases their combat range.

The developer of the UAV "Bee" is JSC "Eirburg" from Yekaterinburg. The company first unveiled the device in July 2023, demonstrating its vertical takeoff, level flight and landing capabilities.

The flight range reaches 300 km, and the range of application heights is from 50 to 2500 m. The device is capable of carrying a payload weighing up to 3 kg, which allows you to place both special equipment and small strike drones on it.

"Bee" is equipped with a remote control system and two-way communication with the ground station of the operator. To carry out reconnaissance tasks, the drone is equipped with a compact spherical optical-electronic station located under the nose of the fuselage. Such a system is able to independently carry out all stages of an air strike: from reconnaissance and target detection to the launch of kamikaze drones and recording the results of the attack.^[1]

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