Russia recycles a 50-year-old Yak-52 training aircraft to hunt Ukrainian UAVs (photo)

Ukrainian pilots have already used this machine for similar tasks, but the question remains what weapons will be installed on the aircraft. The Yakovlev Design Bureau, through its subsidiary of OKB "Aviastroiter", announced on August 21 on the plans for the modernization of the training aircraft Yak-52 in a new variant of YA-52B2, intended for the fight against unmanned aircraft (UAV). Army recognition reporters reported.

According to experts, the modernization of Yak-52 involves the installation of modern equipment, which allows it to be used in modern fighting. One of the key elements of the renewal was the integration of the radio electronic fight system (HRS) designed to suppress drone communication channels, as well as the installation of a radar system capable of detecting and tracking air goals.

In addition, a multifunctional display will be installed in the back of the aircraft, as well as upgraded navigation-pilot equipment, which significantly increased the combat capabilities of the aircraft. The authors of the idea hope that the advantage of Yak-52 lies in its maneuverability and the ability to effectively act at low altitudes and speeds, which makes it suitable for the fight against drones.

It was also noted that a similar idea was implemented in Ukraine, where Yak-52 was used to combat Russian UAVs. Ukrainian pilots, using this aircraft, intercepted and knocked down Russian drones, often using a hand -held small arms. In this regard, observers believe that such air battles, reminiscent of the battles of the First World War, demonstrate how old technologies can be adapted to solve modern problems.

In turn, Defense Express experts ask whether there is an opportunity to equip Yak-52 so that it becomes a full-fledged "antitrone aircraft". The fact is that a similar concept was created in the Soviet times, but in 1983 the project Yak-54 was closed due to the low load capacity of the machine-only 1400 kg. For example, during firing from the BD-32 blocks because of the heavy recoil, the aircraft actually hanged in the air and rocked it. A similar story was with the Blocks of the GUV-8700 with 7.

62 mm machine guns of GSH and 12. 7 mm Yakb-during firing, accuracy was virtually zero. "The Russian Federation argues that they are allegedly returned to this project, so it remains unclear how the Russian OPC will solve the problem with weapons - whether it will simply combine the combination of the same small arms with the means of radio electronic struggle," the analysts summed up. Earlier it was reported that experts doubt the combat capability of the Russian newest Mig-35 interceptor.