Shahed-136
Loitering munition / one-way attack UAV
Iranian Arsenal piston engine (Mado MD-550); RATO launch
Shahed-136 is a loitering munition / one-way attack uav in active operational use.
← Attack Drones & UAVs 
Specifications
| Classification | Loitering munition / one-way attack UAV |
| Manufacturer | HESA / Shahed Aviation Industries |
| Also known as | Geran-2 |
| Propulsion | piston engine (Mado MD-550); RATO launch |
| Range | 970–2,500 km |
| Warhead / Payload | 50 kg |
| Total Weight | 200 kg |
| Length | 3.5 m |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m |
| Speed | 185 km/h |
| Guidance | INS + civilian GNSS (GPS/GLONASS); pre-programmed coordinates |
| CEP | 5-10 m |
| Launch Method | Truck-mounted multiple-rail RATO launcher; fired in salvos |
| First Combat Use | 2019-09 — Abqaiq-Khurais attack; major use in Ukraine from Sept 2022 |
| Unit Cost (est.) | ~$20,000 |
| Cost Range | $20,000 – $50,000 |
Cost note: Very low unit cost is the strategic point — forces defenders to expend $50K-$36M interceptors against a $20K drone
Key Features
- Very low unit cost enables saturation tactics
- Delta-wing configuration with pusher propeller
- Widely proliferated to Russia, Houthis, Hezbollah
- Slow speed (~185 km/h) but complicates cost-exchange ratio for defenders