MOSCOW. March 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The Tupolev Company has offered to modernize reconnaissance UAVs in service with the Russian Air Force, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax-AVN.
"The company has offered to upgrade Tu-143 and Tu-243 UAVs. In addition to that, it intends to continue its work on the Tu-300 UAV and other promising programs," the source said.
According to him, at the present time the Russian Air Force operates the Reis aerial reconnaissance system with the Tu-143 UAV, and the Reis-D system with the Tu-243 UAV.
"The decision to modernize the Reis system was taken in late 2006," he said.
According to him, Tupolev is now coordinating cooperation on the modernization project with its subcontractors.
"Upgraded UAVs will be able to operate for another decade. At the same time, they will boast totally new combat capabilities," he said.
According to him, the UAVs were initially designed to carry out five unmanned flights, but most of them have already conducted up to ten flights due to a strong airframe. "The Tu-143 and the Tu-243 are easy to repair and overhaul, they can operate almost without any limitations," he said.
The source pointed out that the offer envisioned employing UAVs as reconnaissance vehicles, jammers, and electronic warfare systems.
"Main expenditures on modernization pertain to payload designers and manufacturers," he emphasized.
According to him, upgrading UAVs will in fact pave the way for modernizing reconnaissance and special equipment.