russian jet powered versions of Shahed Drones?

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Russia has adapted its Iranian-designed Shahed-136/Geran-2 drones by developing jet-powered variants like the Geran-3, Geran-4, and Geran-5, which trade some range for speeds up to 370–600 km/h. These faster drones are designed to evade Ukrainian air defenses, with Russia planning for them to make up a large portion of their attacks. 

These variants present a significant tactical shift in the war in Ukraine. Key details of these jet-powered Shahed adaptations include: 

Geran-3 (Shahed-238 Equivalent): Powered by an external, Chinese-made Telefly jet engine, it reaches speeds of 300–370 km/h. It typically carries a 50 kg warhead and is utilized in strikes deeper within Ukrainian territory. 
Geran-5: A faster model introduced in early 2026, capable of speeds up to 500–600 km/h. It can fly at altitudes of roughly 6 km and carry up to a 90 kg explosive payload, making it too fast and high for many standard mobile firing units and interceptor drones to counter. 
Design & Guidance: These units are often painted black to blend into nighttime skies and employ radar-absorbing materials. They use sophisticated navigation combinations, including satellite, 3G/4G network usage, and inertial guidance, making them more resistant to electronic warfare. 
Interception Challenges: Because of their high speed, these jet-powered drones significantly reduce the engagement window available to Ukrainian mobile defense groups, necessitating continuous technological upgrades to interceptor drones and air defense systems. 

To explore the specific tactical shifts and how Ukrainian forces are adapting their interceptor fleets against these advanced models, you can read more via updates like UNITED24 Media or check out the analytical review on Business Insider. 

Would you like to know more about the specific guidance systems (such as their 3G/4G networking) they use to resist electronic warfare, or the countermeasure technologies Ukraine is using to intercept them?

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