A Ukrainian Yak-52 basic training plane shot down a small Russian reconnaissance drone over the city of Odessa on April 27, according to videos posted on social media.
The Yak-52 is a two-seater aircraft that was produced between 1977 and 1998 and has no weapons. It uses a nine-cylinder M-14P radial engine with 360 hp.
According to reports, the Orlan-10 type drone was shot down by the second occupant of the Ukrainian plane, using a pistol or semi-automatic weapon.
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The video shows the drone with its parachute open as the Yak-52 flies around it. Unlike other Russian unmanned aircraft, the Orlan-10 has no weapons and is only used for aerial recording.
Produced in Romania
Although a light aircraft, for initial training, the Yak-52 was tested with pods under the wings with machine guns or rocket launchers.
Its performance is quite modest, but suitable for low-speed flights, up to 140 km/h, which facilitates the mission of intercepting small drones.
Although it was designed by the well-known Yakovlev office, the Yak-52 was produced in Romania by the Aerostar company.
Brief history of the Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft
The Yakovlev Yak-52 was a Soviet primary trainer aircraft which first flew in 1976. It was designed to train military pilots in basic aerobatics, navigation, and formation flying.
Design and Construction: It has a conventional tandem-seat, low-wing monoplane with a metal airframe. It has a fixed landing gear and is powered by a single piston engine.
Engine: The aircraft is typically powered by a Vedeneyev M14P radial engine, capable of producing around 360 horsepower. This engine is known for its reliability and ruggedness, making it well-suited for training purposes.
Performance: The Yak-52 has a maximum speed of around 155 knots (290 km/h) and a service ceiling of approximately 16,000 feet (4,900 meters). It is known for its robustness and agility, making it popular not only as a trainer but also as an aerobatic aircraft for airshow performances and competitive aerobatics.
Training Capabilities: The aircraft is designed to provide student pilots with a platform for learning fundamental flight skills, including aerobatics, stalls, spins, and instrument flying. Its responsive controls and forgiving flight characteristics make it an ideal trainer for pilots transitioning to more advanced aircraft.
Variants: While the plane is primarily a trainer aircraft, there have been variants developed for different purposes. For example, the Yak-52TW is a tailwheel version of the aircraft, offering slightly different flight characteristics.
