Belarusian Ministry of Defense (MoD) intends to purchase a few score of Grif-1 UAVs manufactured by aircraft repair plant number 558 (Baranovichi, Belarus), Lenta.ru reports.
The MoD has placed the pre-order for the UAVs. Aircraft repair plant number 558 is developing Grif-1 UAV in the network of “Unmanned aircraft systems and technologies for their production” national program. The enterprise has already assembled two UAVs and one of them has already performed its maiden flight in February 2012. At present both UAVs are undergoing flight development tests.
According to the head of development department of 558 aircraft repair plant, Pavel Sluchak, the enterprise plans to assemble six unmanned aircraft systems based on Grif-1 UAVs by the end of 2013. Every unmanned aircraft system includes automotive control center, engineer vehicle with test and control equipment and transport vehicle with four UAVs.
Grif-1 has a takeoff weight of 120 kg and maximum flight speed of 165 km/h. The UAV’s length is 3.5 m, wingspan – 4.8 m. The UAV’s maximum payload is 20 kg.