Kamikaze drone Iran Shahed 136 | How it Works

Summary

The Shaheed 136, a low-budget loitering munition, also known as a Kamikaze or suicide drone, poses a serious threat on the modern battlefield. With a cost as low as $10-20K, this Iranian drone, powered by a moped engine, can be launched in swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses. Guided by glonass and an anti-radiation seeker, it loiters at low altitudes before diving in on its target. Despite its limited precision, its swarm tactics and low cost make it a challenging opponent. Countermeasures such as anti-aircraft guns and missiles can mitigate the threat, but swarming drones remain a significant risk.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Shaheed 136 drone, also known as Geranium II in Russia, is a low-cost loitering munition with a reported price tag of just 10 to 20 thousand dollars, significantly cheaper than other advanced cruise missiles like the Tomahawk ($2 million).
• 😀 The drone is designed to operate in swarms, making it a dangerous threat on modern battlefields by overwhelming enemy defenses.
• 😀 It uses a 50-horsepower moped engine, which gives it a slow speed and a distinctive buzzing sound, likened to WWII-era German Stuka planes.
• 😀 The Shaheed 136 is equipped with a delta wing configuration, weighs around 220 kg, and can carry warheads ranging from 5 to 35 kg, depending on the mission.
• 😀 The drone's guidance system includes a GLONASS or anti-radiation seeker, allowing it to detect and home in on enemy radio emissions to strike its target.
• 😀 The Shaheed 136 has an impressive range, with a reported cruising range of 2500 kilometers, and can travel up to 1000 kilometers when launched in a swarm.
• 😀 The drone is launched using a rocket-assisted takeoff system, which reduces weight and allows the moped engine to take over during flight.
• 😀 The drone's small size and composite structure make it hard to detect with radar, while its low-altitude flight further complicates interception.
• 😀 Swarm tactics are key to its effectiveness, with multiple drones being launched simultaneously to overwhelm enemy defenses and ensure some reach their targets.
• 😀 To counter the drone, systems like the Japan self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (effective at 5.5 km) and the Soviet U23 anti-aircraft gun (effective at 2.5 km) can be used, though the swarm nature still presents a significant challenge to defense systems.

Q & A

What is the Shaheed 136 drone, and why is it significant in modern warfare?

The Shaheed 136 is an Iranian loitering munition, also known as the Geranium II in Russian service. It is a low-cost drone, priced between $10,000 and $20,000, designed to be launched in swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses. Its significance lies in its cost-effectiveness and swarm tactics, making it a dangerous threat on the modern battlefield.

How does the Shaheed 136 compare in cost to other cruise missiles?

The Shaheed 136 is extremely cost-effective, with a price tag of $10,000 to $20,000, compared to the Russian Kaliber ($1 million) or the American Tomahawk ($2 million). This low cost allows for the deployment of multiple drones in swarms, increasing its lethality.

What are the key design features of the Shaheed 136 drone?

The Shaheed 136 features a delta wing configuration and a 50-horsepower civilian two-stroke engine, similar to a moped engine. It is powered by a rocket-assisted takeoff system and has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, with a cruising range of 2,500 kilometers.

What is the role of the rocket-assisted takeoff in the Shaheed 136's operation?

The rocket-assisted takeoff system is used to give the Shaheed 136 an initial boost, allowing it to launch quickly and reduce the load on its small two-stroke engine. After takeoff, the engine takes over to power the drone through its mission.

How does the Shaheed 136 navigate towards its target?

The Shaheed 136 uses an inertial navigation system (INS) or Glonass, which is Russia's alternative to GPS, to navigate towards its target. While it uses a commercial system, it can be upgraded for more precision in the future.

What are the main limitations of the Shaheed 136 drone?

The Shaheed 136's limitations include its reliance on a civilian inertial navigation system, which can be jammed or obstructed, and its relatively slow speed. These factors can affect its precision and make it vulnerable to interception by fast anti-aircraft missiles.

Why is the Shaheed 136 considered a psychological weapon on the battlefield?

The sound of the Shaheed 136 has been compared to the eerie noise made by German Stuka dive bombers in World War II, which was intentionally designed for psychological impact. This buzzing sound from the drone in flight may cause fear and confusion among enemy forces.

What is the purpose of deploying the Shaheed 136 in swarms?

The Shaheed 136 is often deployed in swarms of five to ten drones. This tactic overwhelms enemy air defense systems, forcing them to expend resources on multiple targets, increasing the likelihood that at least one drone will successfully hit its target.

How do traditional anti-aircraft systems counter the Shaheed 136 drone?

Traditional anti-aircraft systems, such as the German Japan self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and Soviet-era U23 guns, are effective against low-flying targets. These systems can target drones at ranges of 5.5 kilometers and 2.5 kilometers, respectively. Additionally, short-range missiles like Javelins and Stingers can intercept individual drones.

What makes the Shaheed 136 difficult for air defense systems to detect?

The Shaheed 136 is small and made of composite materials, which help it evade detection by radar. It flies at extremely low altitudes, making it even harder to spot by traditional air defense systems.