Illustrative image.
Recent footage of the Geran-5 indicates that Russia has introduced a significant redesign of the jet-powered one-way attack drone only months after it was first publicly shown, moving the engine inside the fuselage and altering the aircraft’s external shape.
The change was identified in footage showing Ukrainian attempts to intercept several Geran-5 drones that first surfaced online on September 19.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
In the original configuration, the Geran-5’s turbojet engine was mounted in an external nacelle above the fuselage. In the newer version, the engine is housed inside the fuselage, while a new air intake has been placed on top. The drone also appears to have larger vertical control surfaces, extending farther above and below the fuselage than on the earlier design.
The engine relocation gives the drone a smoother external profile and is likely intended to reduce aerodynamic drag. This could allow the Geran-5 to use less fuel, maintain a higher speed or achieve greater range.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The Geran-5 is considerably larger than other Geran-type drones. It is about 6 meters long, with a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters. Its speed is reported to be roughly 450 to 600 kilometers per hour, and its warhead is estimated at about 90 kilograms, while claimed range figures have varied from roughly 600 kilometers to as much as 1,000 kilometers depending on the configuration and source.
The weapon was first publicly unveiled during Russia’s Victory Day coverage on May 9, although Ukrainian intelligence had reported its use against Ukraine earlier in the year. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has assessed that the aircraft bears substantial similarities to Iran’s Karrar drone.
The redesign comes as Russia continues expanding its use of jet-powered Geran variants. Production and deployment of Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones have increased in recent months, with the faster aircraft creating new demands for Ukrainian air defenses and prompting the development of high-speed interceptor drones.
The latest Geran-5 modification nevertheless appears to be a refinement rather than an entirely new drone. Russia has not publicly released official performance figures demonstrating how much those changes have increased the drone’s speed, range or efficiency.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
