Russian drones gain lethal edge with new Shahed enhancements
Russia has implemented improvements in Shahed drones, increasing their effectiveness in attacks on Ukraine, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian.
The Russian armed forces have made significant changes to the Shahed drones, which are now being used in attacks on Ukraine. According to Yaroslav Honchar, head of the non-governmental organization Aerorozvidka, the Russians are using Shaheds equipped with thermobaric ammunition. He explained that this enhancement boosts the effectiveness of these unmanned aerial vehicles, especially in enclosed spaces.
New technologies in drones
An expert from the Aerorozvidka organization, Yaroslav Honchar, emphasizes that Russia has altered the construction of these drones. Composite materials are now being used, and the number of navigation antennas has been increased. This combination reduces the reflective surface of these Iranian-origin drones, making Shaheds more difficult to combat using Ukrainian electronic warfare measures.
Honchar notes that Russia has been developing its technologies in the field of electronic warfare for years, which advances their drones. "It would be strange if no technological changes occurred over three years," the expert stated.
The expert also highlighted the replacement of the fragmentation warhead with a thermobaric missile in the Shaheds. "If such a strike hits a window of a house and the explosion occurs inside, the destructive force of the thermobaric explosion will exceed that of fragmentation ammunition," observed Honchar, as quoted by Unian.
Challenges for Ukrainian defense
Ukrainian defense forces face the challenge of effectively defending against the new drones. Unian explains that producers of electronic warfare systems indicate that automation of defense systems is necessary because current mobile air defense groups are insufficient.
Let us recall: Shahed-136 drones are characterized by delta-shaped wings, approximately 11 feet long, with a wingspan of about 8 feet. They can transport combat loads weighing up to 88 pounds. With a Limbach L550E engine, these drones reach a maximum speed of approximately 115 mph. This configuration makes them effective in various military missions.
