MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax-AVN) - A new modification of the Stroi-PD aerial reconnaissance system with the Pchela-1K round-the-clock UAV is about to complete the first stage of state tests, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
"We have yet to make just four or five launches before the first state of state tests of the Stroi-PD system with the Pchela-1K UVA is complete," the source said.
"The second stage of the state tests will begin early next year and will last until 12 months," he noted.
According to the source, the upgraded Pchela-1K UAV is distinguished for the composition of on-board equipment, which includes both IR and TV hardware, as well as special-purpose equipment for round-the-clock use of the aerial reconnaissance system.
"Changes have also been made to the composition of the system's ground segment. For instance, the ground remote control post is placed on an automobile chassis, while earlier it was mounted on an IFV chassis," he said.
The UAV's engine, manufactured by a Samara-based plant, has gone through changes, too, and now the UAV can fly at a higher altitude, the source stressed. The Kulon R&D Institute is the main developer of the Stroi-PD system, while the Yakovlev design bureau is the developer of Pchela-1K, he added.