The Pars-Sarmat Special Operations Center uses Yak-52 two-seat combat training aircraft to counter enemy drones.
Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin posted a video on the Russian messaging platform "Max" showing a pair of these aircraft flying.
The Special Operations Center stated in a report that the Yak-52 aircraft were equipped for use as fast interceptor drones and are currently being used to protect the airspace of a Russian region from hostile drones.
The main advantage of these aircraft is that their operating costs are significantly lower than those of fighter jets, and even most helicopters. They are also easy to maintain and capable of taking off and landing on unpaved runways.
Despite its simple design compared to modern fighter jets, the capabilities of the Yak-52, particularly its low speed and high maneuverability, make it suitable for intercepting many types of drones.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of about 360 kilometers per hour, while its cruising speed ranges between 190 and 230 kilometers per hour. Its operational radius is about 200-250 kilometers, while its range reaches about 500 kilometers.
The Yakovlev Design Bureau designed the Yak-52 aircraft in 1974, and it made its first test flight in 1976.
Mass production began in Romania by Aerostar between 1979 and 1998, with the total number of aircraft produced exceeding 1,800.
The Yak-52 is a two-seat version of the Yak-50 sports aircraft, and was designed primarily to train pilots of the Soviet DOSAF organization, which specializes in air sports and initial military training.
Two people (trainee in the front seat and instructor in the back).
Length: 7.745 meters.
The wing sold out: 9.30 meters.
Height: 2.70 meters.
Maximum takeoff weight: 1290 kilograms.
Engine: Vedeneyev M-14P 9-cylinder radial engine, 360 horsepower.
Flight duration: up to 2 hours and 50 minutes.
The aircraft features a robust metal structure, in addition to a partially retractable three-wheel landing system, which provides stability during takeoff and landing.
It also has full aerobatic capabilities, as it is designed to withstand loads of up to +7/-5G, making it suitable for training in aerial maneuvers.
The Yak-52 is known for its simple design and low operating and maintenance costs, which has made it popular among aviation enthusiasts and collectors of classic aircraft.
Besides its historical use in military and sports training, the Yak-52 has appeared in recent years in new missions related to combating drones, as some aircraft are being modified to become low-cost platforms for intercepting drones, taking advantage of its relatively slow speed and maneuverability.
It has thus transformed from a training and air sports aircraft into a multi-purpose platform employed in modern defense missions.
