JSC Spectator

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance Drone

Ukraine | 2014

"The JSC Spectator is a Ukrainian designed, developed, and produced airborne drone for the unarmed ISR role."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/10/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The "Spectator" is an all-weather Ukrainian-originated Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). It is an unarmed drone offering with inherent versatility to serve across military, civilian, and industry sectors covering such roles as border enforcement, Search and Rescue (SAR), general observation, maritime patrol and the like.

The aircraft was developed by Politeko Aero LLC with the Kiev Polytechnic Institute and the Chuguev Aircraft Repair Plant and a first-flight was recorded in 2014. Manufacturing is handled under the start-up JSC Meridian brand label.

The Spectator (specifically the more advanced 'Spectator-M" variant) is in active service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (the Ukrainian Air Force) as well as the country's border service. The nation has since taken on a fleet of about sixty airframes.

The aircraft is given a conventional, wholly-traditional design arrangement centered on a slim, rounded-slab-sided fuselage. The mainplanes are shoulder-mounted and seated just ahead of midships, each being capped by winglet surfaces. The tail unit showcases a single vertical fin as well as low-set horizontal planes. A two-bladed propeller unit is affixed to the nose of the aircraft and driven by an internal motor. Like other UASs of this class, the aircraft is equipped with an optics set and can be modified to carry certain sensors and imagers to better suit the mission need.

Dimensions of the aircraft include a running length of 4.25 feet, a wingspan of 9.84 feet, and an MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) of 12lb. The air vehicle is capable of reaching 75 miles-per-hour speeds up to an altitude of 6,560 feet. Operational range is out to 9 miles.

The initially-produced variant was simply designated "Spectator" and this version appeared in 2014. This model was followed by the improved, slightly larger second-generation "Spectator-M" which appeared before the end of year - the increased size and power allowing for greater payloads to be carried. The "Spectator-M1" has since emerged as a lighter-weight, third generation offering carrying thermal imaging equipment, sporting an improved recovery system, and featuring an extended operational range. This model was introduced in during 2019 and officially inducted into Ukrainian military service in June of 2020.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the JSC Spectator Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance Drone.

1 x Engine driving a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Propulsion

75 mph
120 kph | 65 kts
Max Speed

56 mph
90 kph | 49 kts
Cruise Speed

6,562 ft
2,000 m | 1 miles
Service Ceiling

9 miles
15 km | 8 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the JSC Spectator Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance Drone.

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

4.3 ft
1.30 m
O/A Length

9.8 ft
(3.00 m)
O/A Width

11 lb
(5 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the JSC Spectator Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance Drone .

None. Mission-equipment related to the ISR role.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the JSC Spectator family line.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the JSC Spectator. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 60 Units
Contractor(s): JAS Meridian - Ukraine

[ Ukraine ]

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Going Further...
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