United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation, part of Russian state owned Rostec Corporation unveiled its first prototype of the Chirok (...
United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation, part of Russian state owned Rostec Corporation unveiled its first prototype of the Chirok (Teal) amphibious aircraft at MAKS 2015 Airshow in Zhukovsky, Moscow.
The Chirok features a hovercraft chassis, which enable it to take off from any type of surfaces, including sand, water, snow and loose ground with obstacles. The Rostec patented air cushion is fully retractable in flight mode to improve aerodynamics.
Chirok will have manned and unmanned variants, depending upon the role.
The all composite prototype, which weighs 700 kg, will be developed into a 2000 kg fully functional aircraft which will have a range of 2500 km and could fly at an altitude of 6000 m.
The prototype is powered by two foreign piston engines in pusher configuration with variable pitch propellers. The foreign engines will be replaced by indigenous ones in future.
Chirok's military roles include as a reconnaissance and unmanned combat aircraft. Civil roles include assistance in search and rescue, environmental monitoring and transportation.
The aircraft features internal bays which can carry a payload of 300 kg, like opto-electronics devices in reconnaissance role or weapons in combat role.
The maiden flight of the prototype is expected this year.
