Insights on Shaheed 136 Kamikaze Drone

Sep 10, 2024

Notes on Shaheed 136 Kamikaze Drone Lecture

Introduction

  • Discussion on Shaheed 136, an Iranian drone also known as Geranium II in Russia.
  • Comparison of costs:
    • Russian Kalibr cruise missile: ~$1 million
    • American Tomahawk cruise missile: ~$2 million
    • Shaheed 136: $10,000 - $20,000
  • Highlighting the affordability of Shaheed 136 compared to average American car price (~$40,000).

Overview of Shaheed 136

  • Type: Single-use loitering munition (Kamikaze/suicide drone).
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 3.56 meters
    • Wingspan: 2.59 meters
    • Weight: ~220 kg
    • Warhead weight: 5-35 kg (depending on mission)
  • Engine:
    • Powered by a Moto MD550, 50 horsepower civilian engine (similar to a moped).
    • Slow speed; sound similar to WWII German Stuka planes.

Functionality

Loitering Munition

  • Definition:
    • Rapid response against hidden or covered targets.
    • Allows for engagement without positioning high-value drones close to targets.

Operating Mechanism

  1. Transport: Carried on truck carriers, typically housing 5 drones.
  2. Navigation: Uses civilian inertial navigation system (Glonass, Russian GPS alternative).
  3. Launch: Rocket-assisted takeoff for initial boost, followed by two-stroke engine operation.
  4. Swarm Tactics: 5-10 drones launched simultaneously to overwhelm air defenses.
  5. Loitering: Operates at low altitudes to evade detection.
  6. Target Engagement: Dives at targets with remaining drones for destruction.

Limitations

  • Precision is impacted by reliance on commercial inertial navigation systems.
  • Vulnerable to jamming or obstruction.
  • Slow speed can be targeted by systems like Javelin or Stinger missiles.

Countermeasures

  • Japan's Anti-Aircraft Gun:
    • All-weather, self-propelled, effective up to 5.5 km range.
  • Soviet U23 Anti-Aircraft Gun:
    • Effective against low-flying targets up to 2.5 km range.
  • Swarming Strategy: Multiple drones increase chances of evading air defense.

Conclusion

  • The Shaheed 136 presents a cost-effective and tactical threat in modern warfare through swarm tactics and loitering capabilities.
  • Importance of understanding drone technology and countermeasures in contemporary defense scenarios.

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