"Unlike most drones in the Shahed family, which rely on rear-mounted gasoline engines that produce a distinctive buzzing sound during flight, the new version appears to feature a nose-mounted propeller powered by an electric motor. This configuration pulls the aircraft through the air rather than pushing it from the rear, a design change that could reduce both acoustic and thermal signatures and potentially make the drone more difficult for radar and infrared detection systems to detect."
"Drones have emerged as one of the most influential weapons in the Middle East conflict, allowing forces to carry out long-range attacks at relatively low cost while overwhelming air defenses."
"The Shahed-101 is an autonomous, electric-powered loitering munition designed to carry a high-explosive warhead. It can remain in the battlespace while searching for targets before striking by flying directly into them and detonating, using a rocket-assisted launch system to take off."
Iran has introduced a modified version of its Shahed-101 kamikaze drone featuring significant structural improvements designed to enhance stealth capabilities. The new variant replaces the traditional rear-mounted gasoline engine with a nose-mounted electric motor, fundamentally changing how the aircraft operates. This configuration pulls rather than pushes the drone through the air, substantially reducing both acoustic and thermal signatures that detection systems rely upon. The drone also incorporates a rocket booster at the rear fuselage for launch acceleration. These modifications make the drone more difficult for radar and infrared detection systems to identify. The development occurs amid intensified military operations in the Middle East, with loitering munitions becoming increasingly influential weapons due to their long-range capabilities, low operational costs, and ability to overwhelm air defenses.
Read at Mail Online
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