Shahed 136 Drone; Technical Specifications, Operational Range, Price, and the B and Turbojet Versions

“Shahed 136” (known as Geran-2 in Russia) is a loitering munition (kamikaze drone) manufactured by HESA and Shahed Aviation Industries. This aircraft, with its delta wing, MADO MD-550 piston engine, 30-50 with its delta wing, MADO MD-550 piston engine, 30-50 kilogram warhead, estimated range of 1,000 to 2,500 kilometers, and strike fixed ground targets at the lowest possible cost.

Achievement Specifications

Defense DomainUAV

Equipment TypeUAV

Project StatusMass production

Manufacturer Countryایران

Key Features

Integrated delta wing design with stabilizing fins at the wingtips (extending both upward and downward)
Equipped with the 4-cylinder MADO MD-550 piston engine (50 horsepower) with a two-blade pusher propeller at the rear
Use of a rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) for launch and immediate separation after takeoff
Capability to carry and launch up to 5 units simultaneously from movable racks mounted on trucks
High-explosive warhead weighing 30 to 50 kilograms with destructive effect exceeding that of a 155 mm artillery shell
Integrated inertial navigation system (INS) and civilian satellite receivers GPS / GLONASS
Service ceiling of up to 4 kilometers and maximum flight speed of approximately 185 kilometers per hour
Low production cost (estimated 20,000 to 50,000 dollars/euros per unit)
Development of new versions including a mini-jet engine and the Shahed 136B version with a range of 4,000 kilometers and video data link

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Full Description

Comprehensive Technical Review of the Shahed-136 Loitering Munition

As one of the most influential loitering munitions in modern warfare, the Shahed-136 drone has reshaped the balance in the realm of low-cost, long-range weaponry. The system was designed by Shahed Aviation Industries and is manufactured by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA). The first official images of the drone were released in December 2021.

Aerodynamic Design and Structural Differences from the Shahed-131

The Shahed-136 features an integrated delta-wing configuration with a body length of 3.5 meters, a wingspan of 2.5 meters, and an armed weight of 200 kilograms.

Its primary external difference from the smaller variant (the Shahed-131, which has a 900 km range and a 15 kg warhead) lies in the wingtip stabilizing fins: on the Shahed-136, these fins extend both upward and downward, whereas on the Shahed-131, they point exclusively upward.

Propulsion, Launch System, and Flight Performance

Engine and Thrust: The aircraft is powered by a 50-horsepower MADO MD-550 four-cylinder piston engine (the indigenous version of Germany’s Limbach L550E engine), which drives a two-blade pusher propeller at the rear of the fuselage.
RATO Launch: The Shahed-136 is launched from a rail at a shallow angle using a solid-fuel Rocket-Assisted Take-Off (RATO) booster. After gaining initial momentum, the booster detaches, and the piston engine takes over propulsion.
Multiple Launcher System: The drone’s launch rack accommodates five units on a single rack. This assembly can be mounted on the back of any commercial or military cargo truck—a standout feature providing high mobility, easy camouflage, and the ability to rapidly depart the area after launch.

Navigation, Guidance, and Mission Profile

The Shahed-136 is primarily designed to strike stationary ground targets with pre-determined coordinates:

Navigation System: The drone utilizes a combination of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GPS/GLONASS satellite data.
Tracking Limitations: Due to the nature of this navigation system and the absence of continuous tracking sensors in the base version, it lacks the capability to lock onto moving targets.
Range and Speed: The drone’s operational range is between 1,000 and 2,500 kilometers (averaging 2,000 kilometers according to domestic sources), with a maximum speed of 185 kilometers per hour.

Specification	Data / Feature
System Name	Shahed-136 / Geran-2
Drone Type	Kamikaze / Long-Range Loitering Munition
Designer & Manufacturer	Shahed Aviation Industries / HESA
Public Introduction Year	2021
Body Length / Wingspan	3.5 meters / 2.5 meters
Total Weight / Warhead Weight	200 kg / 30 to 50 kg
Propulsion Type	MADO MD-550 Piston Engine (50 hp)
Maximum Speed	185 km/h
Operational Range	1,000 to 2,500 km (average 2,000 km)
Service Ceiling	4,000 meters (4 km)
Guidance System	Combined INS + GPS / GLONASS
Launch Method	RATO booster from a truck-mounted 5-unit rack

Upgraded Variants: Turbojet Engine and Shahed-136B

During the military parade in September 2024, more advanced models of this drone were introduced:

Mini-Jet (Turbojet) Variant: Utilizing a mini-jet engine in place of the piston powerplant within the same basic airframe to achieve significantly higher speeds.
Shahed-136B Variant: A comprehensive upgrade featuring a newly designed airframe, the addition of a radar, an electro-optical system in the nose for live image transmission to the operator, a speed of 120 to 250 km/h, a 50 kg warhead, and an operational range of 4,000 kilometers with a flight endurance of 16 to 20 hours.

Global Impact and Similar Systems (Adaptations)

The success of the Shahed-136 design model has inspired the development of similar projects in other countries:

China: Unveiled the Sunflower 200 drone in 2023, featuring a weight of 175 kg, a length of 3.2 meters, and a range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers.
Turkey: Designed the Azab kamikaze drone by Rabbit Technology.
United States: Introduced the LUCAS project as a low-cost uncrewed attack drone in response to systems like the Shahed-136.