The way the Russians launch Shahed drones was revealed
Since the fall of last year, the Russian invasion forces have been using Iranian kamikaze drones to strike Ukraine. These are the Shahed-136 drones and slightly smaller Shahed-131 drones, which the Russian army renamed Geran-2 and Geran-1, respectively. The Russians are using this weapon to attack Ukrainian infrastructure, military and civilian facilities.
Until now, it was not discussed exactly how the Russian military launches these drones. Previously, only photos of the launcher used by the Iranian military were publicly available. Propaganda videos from military exercises showed the launcher.
Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.
Freeze frame from video
It is designed to transport and launch several kamikaze drones at once. The launcher looks like a truck container. Containers with such drones can be easily placed not only on trucks but also on railway train cars, various ships, and other mobile vehicles.
Launcher of Iranian Shahed-136 loitering munition.
Iran. Photo credits: Iranian media
However, the Russians published a video on social media capturing the launch of Iranian drones against Ukraine. The drones were launched at night. The spotted drones were launched from a light launcher designed for one kamikaze UAV.
Iranian media demonstrated such a launcher in early February. It provides greater mobility and doesn't need a truck to be transported. According to its size and appearance, it is lightweight.
Lightweight Shahed kamikaze drone launcher.
Photo credits: Iranian media
The video captured that the engine of the kamikaze drone is started before the immediate launch, and the takeoff from the launcher is carried out with the help of a solid rocket booster, which works for 2-3 seconds and helps the aircraft to rise into the air. The drone then flies with its own engine.
The Russians launching the Shahed kamikaze drone.
2023. Frame from the video
In general, both Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, which the Russians use against Ukraine, work according to a similar principle and are utmostly unified in details and components, especially in electronics.
UAVs have a "flying wing" aerodynamic scheme.
Iranian Shahed-136 UAV, February 2023. Photo credits: Mykhailo Brodsky
On September 13, 2022, it was reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down the first Iranian Shahed-136 strike unmanned aerial vehicle. Shahed-136 weighs up to 200 kg and has a total length of 3.5 m.
The weight of its warhead is between 40 and 50 kilograms. The UAV's maximum flight altitude is 4000 m, and the cruising speed is 180 km/h. Shahed-136 is believed to have a range of over 1,000 km.
The drone is equipped with a loud MD 550 piston engine or 3W, so its flight can be heard at a considerable distance.
Shahed-131, illustration from the UAF for the common reference
The use of the Shahed-131 by the Russian army for strikes against Ukraine was first reported on October 13. The length of the Shahed-131 is 2.6 m, and the wingspan is 2.2 m. The estimated weight is 135 kg.
The weight of the warhead is estimated at 10-15 kg.
The declared maximum flight range is 900 kilometers.