Profile
- Type
- One-way attack drone
- Origin
- Iran
- Service note
- Modern long-range loitering munition
Aircraft & UAVs
Shahed-136
The Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed one-way attack drone associated with mass long-range strikes, appearing as the Russian Geran family in Ukraine and as an Iranian attack-drone threat in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
- Built by
- Shahed Aviation IndustriesHESA
- Built in
- Iran
Service History
- In service
- Early 2020s-present
- Used by
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, Russian Armed Forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War, United States-Iran Conflict
Production History
- Designer
- Shahed Aviation Industries
- Built by
- Shahed Aviation IndustriesHESA
- Built in
- Iran
- Variants
- Shahed-136, Geran-2
Specifications
- Role
- Long-range one-way attack UAV / loitering munition
- Wingspan
- About 2.5 m
- Length
- About 3.5 m
- Range
- Open sources commonly cite at least 2,000 km
- Guidance
- Pre-programmed coordinate navigation using satellite/inertial guidance
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Russia
Russia has used Iranian-designed Shahed/Geran one-way attack drones in mass strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, with Ukrainian and open-source reporting tracking repeated launches and variants.
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: Iran
Iran reportedly used Russian-produced or modified Shahed drones to target U.S. bases and Gulf countries during the 2026 phase of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Shahed-136 Images
Related Weapon Systems
ZALA LancetLoitering munitionThe ZALA Lancet is a Russian electric loitering munition with a distinctive dual X-wing layout, launched from a catapult and guided by an onboard television channel for terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it became one of Russia's prominent tactical strike UAVs, used against Ukrainian artillery, air-defense systems, armor, vehicles, and other battlefield targets.
Bayraktar TB2Medium-altitude long-endurance UAVA Turkish unmanned aircraft used for reconnaissance and strike missions. It became especially prominent in the early phase of the full-scale invasion.
B-2 SpiritStealth strategic bomberThe B-2 Spirit is a U.S. low-observable strategic bomber whose long range and payload made it the aircraft used to deliver GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs in Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran.
GBU-57 Massive Ordnance PenetratorPrecision-guided bunker-buster bombThe GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a U.S. Air Force deep-penetration munition built for heavily protected facilities and documented in its first operational use during strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
SwitchbladeLoitering munitionA family of portable loitering munitions supplied by the United States. These systems combine reconnaissance and one-way attack roles for small units.
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Shahed-131 & -136 UAVs: A Visual GuidePublisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: Supports manufacturer background, role, guidance, and basic Shahed-136 specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Monthly Analysis of Russian Shahed 136 Deployment Against UkrainePublisher: Institute for Science and International Security | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War use of Shahed/Geran strike UAVs by Russia. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Iran Update Special Report, March 18, 2026Publisher: Institute for the Study of War | Note: Supports United States-Iran Conflict reporting that Iran used Russian-produced or modified Shahed drones against U.S. bases and Gulf countries. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Shahed 136 RenderingPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports Creative Commons image provenance for the Shahed-136 rendering. | Accessed: 2026-06-19