UJ-22 Airborne
Ukrainian multirole reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle, developed in the early 2020s, extensively deployed for long-range strike and reconnaissance operations.
| Length | 3.7 m (12.1 ft) |
| Wingspan | 4.2 m (13.8 ft) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 85 kg (187 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 × gasoline piston engine |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) |
| Operational range | 800 km (497 mi) |
| Endurance | 6 hours |
| Service ceiling | 6,000 m (19,685 ft) |
- Unguided Bomb RPG-7VM grenade
- Unguided Bomb 82-mm mortar mine
Description
The UJ-22 Airborne is a Ukrainian multirole reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Kyiv-based UkrJet (LLC NPP Ukrjet). Publicly revealed between 2020 and 2022, the aircraft has been utilized as one of Ukraine's primary indigenous long-range strike platforms.
Design
The UJ-22 is a fixed-wing aircraft powered by a single gasoline piston engine driving a three-bladed propeller in a pusher configuration. It has a length of 3.7 meters, a wingspan of 4.2 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 85 kilograms. The drone has a maximum speed of 160 km/h, a cruising speed of 120 km/h, and an operational ceiling of 6,000 meters. It has a flight endurance of up to 6 hours and can be prepared for flight within minutes, requiring a takeoff run of 50 to 100 meters. The UJ-22 has an autonomous operational range of 800 kilometers, which decreases to a 100-kilometer range when maintaining a direct radio link with its ground control station. For reconnaissance, it carries a stabilized electro-optical payload consisting of a 64-megapixel camera, a thermal imager, and a laser rangefinder.
Armament
The aircraft has a maximum payload capacity of up to 20 kilograms. In strike configurations, it can be equipped with an internal warhead or configured to drop munitions, specifically carrying up to six RPG-7VM grenades or four 82-mm mortar mines. The platform's drop munitions have a targeting accuracy of approximately 10 meters.
Operational History
Ukraine has deployed the UJ-22 for long-range, one-way attack missions against Russian infrastructure, targeting logistics nodes, oil depots, ammunition dumps, and command facilities. These strikes have reached targets deep within Russia, including the Saratov, Tula, Kaluga, and Moscow regions.