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Further Reading

Tu-123 Yastreb DBR-1

In 1964 a long-range supersonic unmanned reconnaissance aircraft TU-123 "Yastreb" were adopted which became a firstling of Tupolev family of unmanned reconnaissance complexes.

Works on large-range unmanned strike aircraft which started in 1958 were stopped in 1960 defining a basis for activities on unmanned reconnaissance aircraft "Yastreb"-DBR-1. Said works were successfully completed in 1964. From 1965 DBR-1 complex entered serial production. The aircraft had unique characteristics for that time. It was completely autonomous for combat missions and data acquisition and processing.

"Yastreb" reconnaissance aircraft had flight speed of 2700 km/h, flight range - abut 4000 km and flight altitude - 19-22 km. From said altitude it was possible to recognize railway sleepers. It was the real break-through in various trends of aviation science. To perform photo-reconnaissance long-focus aerial camera and radio-reconnaissance station were built for the first time for in-flight record of all data received from military radio-emission sources.

Operational standards for unmanned complex, list of required specialists and combatant unit structure were developed for the first time when making "Yastreb" DRB-1 formations and during its operation. All these served later as a basis for further unmanned complexes.

"Yastreb" DBR-1 complex operation confirmed aviation need in unmanned complexes. In 1968 three years after entering into combatant unit operation a new Government Decree was issued on building of unmanned complexes of different purpose. Our Design Bureau was commissioned with manufacturing tactical complex "Reis" and operation and tactical "Strizh".