File image.
Russian military forces have modified Gerbera fixed-wing drones to conduct low-cost electronic intelligence and spectrum analysis over Ukrainian airspace, prominent Ukrainian military expert Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov revealed on August 22.
In a Telegram post, Beskrestnov reported that the field modification wires miniature TinySA Ultra spectrum analyzers — commercially available hardware units costing approximately $100 — directly into the drone’s electronics.
Wired into an open port on the drone’s onboard mesh modem, the analyzer logs radio-frequency activity along the flight path, eliminating the need for a dedicated, high-value reconnaissance platform.
Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
Since appearing over Ukraine in 2024, the Gerbera has served mainly as a low-cost decoy and reconnaissance drone, built from plywood and foam to mimic the radar profile of Russia’s larger Geran-2 one-way attack drone, itself reported to be based on Iran’s Shahed-136. The drone has a range of around 1,000 kilometers.
Its ability to carry a light warhead has also made it useful for one-way attacks on soft targets such as fuel depots, radar sites, and unarmored vehicles.
Now, with the latest upgrade, the drone can simultaneously map radio-frequency saturation and detect active radars, communication, and electronic-warfare systems during standard operations.
Because the spectrum analyzer components are inexpensive and easily integrated without complex structural redesigns, losing individual drones during a mission carries little financial or operational cost. In addition, deploying the drones en masse lets fragmented signal logs be stitched together over time into a comprehensive picture of the regional electromagnetic environment.
Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
Earlier this month, Ukrainian media reported that Russia has built a larger version of its Gerbera drone with a payload of 20 to 30 kilograms — several times the roughly 5-kilogram warhead the original carried. This version was widely dubbed the “Gerbera-2.”
Alexander Mikheyev, CEO of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, also said this month that Almaz-Antey Group has begun mass production of the Garpiya-A1E, a one-way attack version meant for export.
Recent reports indicate that Russia has built more than 100,000 Garpiya-type drones for its own use, at an estimated unit cost of around $10,000 each.
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