VR-3 Reis (Tu-143 Reis) Unmanned aerial vehicle

In numbers  Through the lens  Video

The reconnaissance complex VR-3 "Reis" developed back in the early 70s successfully passed state tests in 1976. In 1982 reconnaissance complex VR-3 "Reis" with the Tu-143 UAV was adopted by the Soviet Army.

The Tu-143 "Flight" UAV with the power plant TRZ-117 was mass-produced at the Voronezh Aviation Plant from 1973 to 1989. About 950-1000 UAV built. Modifications were developed on the basis of the Tu-143: the M-143 and VR-3VM unmanned targets were put into service in 1985.

Equipment (on-board complex): with a kit. - reconnaissance equipment consisted of AFA PA-1 with a supply of 120 m of film. - for television reconnaissance, it was equipped with equipment of the I-429B "Chibis-B" type, with the transmission of a television image to the ground via a radio channel. - for radiation reconnaissance, it was equipped with the Sigma-R equipment, with the possibility of transmitting information over the radio channel.

Operational history: Afghanistan 1979-1989. Tu-143 Reis was involved in combat operations during the Lebanese conflict in the early 80s. Use of Ukrainian Tu-143s (Ukrainian Air Force) in combat operations with Russia in 2022.

Status: It is in service - Ukraine, Russia, Belarus.

Export: Air Force of Czechoslovakia (currently one squadron is based in the Czech Republic and the other in Slovakia), Romania, Syria, Iraq.

Three-view drawing

Technical specifications