For the first time, the Ukrainian military managed to capture an entire Geran-3 kamikaze drone equipped with a turbojet engine, a camera, and equipment for building a Mesh control network.
For the first time, the Ukrainian military managed to capture an entire Geran-3 kamikaze drone equipped with a turbojet engine, a camera, and equipment for building a Mesh control network.
Video and photos of the captured drone were published in the Facebook group «Zampotech Omelyanovich». The footage shows that «Geran-3» received a modem for working in a Mesh network: the signal from the operator can «jump» through other UAVs, forming a chain of repeaters. This allows the Russians to control drones at a much greater distance without direct visibility between the control point and the target, and also complicates the work of Ukrainian electronic warfare equipment, which are used to «jamming» the classic communication channel.
Inside the drone is a Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine and two fuel tanks. This configuration provides a cruising speed of about 300–370 km/h and a range of up to 1,000 km. According to Ukrainian experts, the device reaches its maximum speed in the air defense and electronic warfare zone, trying to reduce the reaction time of Ukrainian calculations.
The electronic architecture of the Geran-3 largely repeats the gasoline-powered Geran-2 configuration: inside there is a SADRA inertial navigation system, an air pressure measurement unit (ADC) and a power distribution unit (PDU). For satellite navigation, a jamming-proof module «Kometa-M12» with an adaptive antenna array of 12 elements is used, which should better maintain the signal during suppression attempts. The camera and video transmission system correspond to the solution already used on the Geran-2 modifications of the «B» series, so the operator can not only strike at predetermined coordinates, but also adjust the attack in real time.
Ukrainian specialists will pay special attention to the element base. Earlier, the GUR already demonstrated a 3D model of the Geran-3 and emphasized that a significant part of the components of this type of drones is of foreign origin, in particular from Western manufacturers. Analysis of a whole, intact sample will allow not only to confirm the origin of individual chips, navigation and power modules, but also to understand how they are integrated with each other in a combat configuration.
For Ukraine, this trophy is important in several ways. First, it provides additional data for adapting air defense and electronic warfare to the Shahed jets, which are more difficult to intercept due to their high speed and advanced navigational aids. Second, detailed technical intelligence will help to increase sanctions pressure on component suppliers and identify loopholes through which Russia continues to purchase critical electronics. Third, the obtained developments can form the basis of its own Ukrainian developments: both strike UAVs and systems to counter networked drone swarms.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how the prosecutor’s office announced charges against a former teacher at one of the Kharkiv universities, who for almost two years had been transferring technical materials to the Russians for the creation of UAVs, in particular «Geran» drones.
