Illustrative image.
The Russian military has reportedly began to use the latest Geran-3 suicide drones in strikes against targets deep in Ukraine.
Ukrainian media on June 11 shared photos purported to show the wreckage of a Geran-3 that was used in one of the recent strikes that targeted Kiev. Among the wreckage, the remains of the turbojet that powers this version of the Geran can be seen. This micro turbojet engine sets the Geran-3 aside from the two previous versions, which are powered by piston engines.
Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.
Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.
Click to see full-size image. Via Telegram.
The Geran-1 and 2 drones, produced in Russia, are alleged to be copies of the Iranian-made Shahed-131 and 136 pusher-propelled suicide drones.
The Geran-1 has a range of 900 kilometers with a warhead weighing 15 kilograms, while the Geran-2 has a range of 2,500 kilometers with a warhead weighing 50 kilograms. Both drones, designed to engage static targets only, are guided by a GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system (INS).
Meanwhile, the Geran-3 is alleged to be a copy of the Iranian-made Shahed-238, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers.
The Geran-3 likely uses the same GLONASS-aided INS installed in the first two versions. However, Iran showcased in the past loitering munition models of the Shahed-238 with electro-optical seekers that adds the ability of attacking moving targets, and thus it is very likely that Russia developed a similar system.
It’s worth noting that Russia has already showcased a loitering munition version of the Geran-2 with a very similar electro-optical seeker.
While the Geran-3 is comparable in range to the previous versions, the drone is on a whole other level when it comes to speed. It can reach speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour on low altitudes, and the speed goes up all the way to 800 kilometers per hour during the final dive towards the target. Meanwhile, the speed of Geran 1 and 2 is reported to be just around 185 kilometers per hour.
Recent reports also suggest that the Geran-3 was armed with a multipurpose warhead weighing around 90 kilograms. The new warhead features high-explosives and hundreds of metal fragments, which makes it lethal against buildings, equipment and personnel. At the same time, it is said to have penetrative properties, making it also useful against fortified targets.
Last February, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, also known as the GRU, said that the Geran-3 had entered mass production in Russia.
Geran drones with their long range and high precision have proven to be a true game changer. The latest Geran-3 will likely cause all sorts of troubles to whatever is left of Ukrainian air defenses, due to its higher speed. Its heavier warhead will also allow it to engage a wider range of targets, like fortified buildings and possibly underground structures.
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