The Shahed-131 is the smaller Iranian one-way attack UAV in the Shahed-131/Shahed-136 family, built around a delta-wing airframe, pre-programmed coordinate navigation, and a compact warhead. Russia operates the type as Geran-1 in Ukraine, Iran has used Shahed-131-series salvos in direct regional attacks, and Houthi sources and U.S. intelligence identify the Waid-1 as the corresponding smaller Houthi designation.
Russia has fielded Shahed-131-class drones under the Geran-1 designation in Ukraine, with DIA and CSIS identifying recovered Geran-1 material as the smaller Shahed-131 family and CAR documenting a Shahed-131 warhead recovered in Ukraine.
Role detailsCSIS reports that a Shahed-131 wing stabilizer was recovered after Iran's September 2022 strike campaign against Kurdish opposition targets in northern Iraq.
Iran has used Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones in direct attacks on Israel, with CSIS describing them as part of pre-programmed salvos intended to overwhelm air defenses.
Role detailsCSIS links Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones to Iranian attacks against U.S. bases and Persian Gulf targets during the wider U.S.-Iran escalation.
Public technical sources describe the Shahed-131 as a relatively simple one-way attack UAV: a small delta-wing airframe, rear-mounted rotary engine, satellite/inertial navigation, and a warhead sized for fixed-target strike rather than recovery or reuse.
| Feature | Technical note | References |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Pre-programmed coordinate attack using satellite and inertial navigation; public sources do not describe a live operator control link for terminal targeting. | CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136; Shahed-131 & -136 UAVs: A Visual Guide |
| Warhead class | Smaller than Shahed-136, with public references commonly describing a roughly 10-20 kg payload or warhead class and CAR documenting a recovered Shahed-131 warhead in Ukraine. | CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136; Conflict Armament Research Shahed Warheads in Ukraine; Shahed-131 & -136 UAVs: A Visual Guide |
| Launch pattern | Used as a rack- or rail-launched expendable UAV with rocket-assisted launch equipment in public imagery and recovered-system comparisons. | DIA Iranian UAVs in Ukraine Visual Comparison; Shahed-131 & -136 UAVs: A Visual Guide |
The smaller Shahed-131/Geran-1/Waid-1 family is distinct from the larger Shahed-136/Geran-2 companion model, which public references give a heavier airframe and longer-range specifications.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Larger companion model | The Shahed-136/Geran-2 is the larger same-family one-way attack UAV, with public references crediting it with greater payload and range than the Shahed-131/Geran-1. Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136, Shahed-131 & -136 UAVs: A Visual Guide |
CSIS reports that a Shahed-131 wing stabilizer was recovered after Iranian strikes against Kurdish opposition targets in northern Iraq.
Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136
U.S. intelligence material and CSIS identify Geran-1 as the Russian designation for Shahed-131-class drones used during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136, DIA Iranian UAVs in Ukraine Visual Comparison
CSIS and the Defense Intelligence Agency identify the Houthi Waid-1 as the smaller Shahed-131-equivalent one-way attack UAV.
Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136, DIA Iran Enabling Houthi Attacks
CSIS describes Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones as part of Iranian one-way attack UAV salvos against Israel in the direct Israel-Iran conflict.
Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136
CSIS published an updated profile consolidating Shahed-131, Geran-1, Waid-1, Shahed-136, Geran-2, and Waid-2 specifications and conflict-use context.
Sources: CSIS Missile Threat Shahed-131 and -136
The smaller Shahed family appears in public reporting under operator-specific names. The distinction is most useful when comparing recovered airframes, warhead size, and conflict attribution rather than treating every name as a separate design.
| Designation | Operator context | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Shahed-131 | Iran | Baseline Iranian smaller one-way attack UAV with a delta-wing airframe, compact payload, and pre-programmed coordinate navigation. |
| Geran-1 | Russia | Russian designation for Shahed-131-family drones documented through recovered Ukraine material and U.S. intelligence comparison imagery. |
| Waid-1 | Houthi movement | Houthi designation identified by CSIS and DIA as the smaller Shahed-131-equivalent UAV. |
| Iran, Russia, and Houthi movement | Larger companion model with greater public range and payload figures. |
