UAV launch rig “Geranium”
The current war in Ukraine has shown that UAVs are one of the most effective weapons. Both sides are actively using them. And while the Ukrainians have been doing this since the very first days of the war, the Russian army did not come to it immediately. At the initial stage, the Russian side hoped that EW systems would actually “choke” the airwaves and prevent the enemy from using drones. However, when the idea failed, the Russians decided that it was necessary to respond to the Ukrainians with similar methods.
Currently, the Russian army already has several types of UAVs in service. In addition to those developed in Russia, there are also drones that the Russians have actually bought abroad. One of the most popular are the “Geranium” family of UAVs, based on Iranian “Shahed” drones. This model, in turn, is a hybrid of two of the most hyped Western attack drones – the American “Predator” and the Israeli “Hermes”.
Demonstration model “Shahed-136”
This kamikaze machine is also called “Persian” at home and in Russia. Despite its small size, it has impressive tactical and technical characteristics. The following parameters are specified in the passport of the modification “Geranium-2”:
- Length: 3.5 meters
- Wingspan: 2.5 meters
- Flight range: 1,800-2,500 km
- Flight altitude: from 60 to 4,000 meters
- Weight: 200 kg
- Ammunition weight: – 50 kg
- Speed: 150-180 km/h
- Barrage duration: 10-12 hours
Example of target engagement by a “Geranium-2” barrage munition
The said drone model has undergone some modifications already in Russia. First, a “GLONASS” satellite receiver was installed, which is much more interference-proof. In addition, the warhead has been redesigned; it has become more powerful due to a different explosive charge, optimization of the design, and received additions in the form of impact microcharges. The weight of the warhead has been increased to 60 kg. Most likely, the design was optimized by reducing the size of the fuel tank. Not long ago, a volumetric detonating, thermobaric (single-strike) warhead was added.
Containers with such drones can be easily placed on trucks, railroad platforms and ships. Engine power is 50 hp. That is why this drone is simply called “scooter” or “lawn mower”. High accuracy of strikes “Geranium” is due to its very effective homing system (the technology is kept in strict secrecy, the study of this system was impossible due to its destruction during the explosion).
The wreckage of “Geranium-2”
In addition to the above model, the Russian army also has in service the “Geranium-1”, which is a more compact version. However, this particular model has recently received an engine upgrade, which is used in the “Italmas Z-54” long-range barrage munition. It is characterized by a quieter variant of operation, which will significantly reduce the probability of detection. In addition, the control equipment, algorithms and flight paths and profiles, etc. have been improved.
At the same time, the Iranians themselves continue to create new variants of UAVs. The “Shahed-238”, which has a turbojet engine, was recently introduced. At the moment, this model has not been put into serial production. There is no probability to find it in Ukraine or elsewhere in the world yet. However, given the characteristics of the UAV itself and the micro-turbojet engine models developed in Russia, delivery of the “Shahed-238” may not be necessary, as it is quite possible that models already in production may receive a similar modification. The range will probably suffer, but there is no need to cover long distances under Ukrainian conditions. Speed after modification will not triple, but may increase from 250-300 to 400-450 km/h.
Shahed-238
The cost of production of these UAVs is 30-50 thousand US dollars, which is much cheaper than the production of “Iskander” or “Kalibr” missiles.
Moreover, Ukraine’s air defense systems, including those of Western models such as “Patriot”, “Iris-T”, “NASAMS”, cannot cope with “Geranium” drones. The only secret is that the heat trace left by the missiles is not characteristic of these UAVs. The engine doesn’t leave enough of a heat trail for air defense detection, and the minimal amount of metal parts lightens the design itself and also hinders identification.
“Shahed” or “Geranium” are proving their effectiveness for the second year in a row. In fact, these UAVs have completely eclipsed with their successes the more technologically advanced “Bayraktar”, which at first terrified the Russian military, and the more user-friendly “Switchblade”, which is carried by the operator in a backpack. “Geraniums” have both achieved their goals from the early days and continue to do so. Due to their low production costs, their numbers are increasing dramatically. As the conflict continues, large “swarms” of UAVs will attack Ukraine, and unless Kiev can adjust its air defense systems to more accurately target them, the consequences will only get worse.
