Russia began using an updated version of the Geranium-4 attack drones in the fall.
Ілюстративне фото: Reuters
The drones received an improved navigation system and a new warhead, designed in particular to destroy bridges and overhead power line supports.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this.
Ukrainian intelligence published details about the modernized Geran-4 on the War&Sanctions portal.
Specifically, the drones now feature a new “MOX” unit based on the PNI5GA magnetometer from the American company PNI Sensor. It works in conjunction with the SADRA inertial navigation unit, reducing gyroscope drift and increasing the accuracy of autonomous navigation.
In addition to satellite and inertial navigation, the Russians equipped the Geran-4 with the Susanin system. It uses an optical sensor to compare received images with reference images stored in the onboard computer. This allows the drone to more accurately follow its assigned route.
According to the GUR, a similar system is also used on the new Geranium-5 drones, version K5.
Changes were also made to the warhead. To destroy bridge structures and overhead power line supports, the Russians began using the KRSN (a shaped-charge cutting warhead)—a special payload that destroys a target with a shaped-charge jet.
The Chinese Telefly turbojet engine was also replaced with a Russian equivalent, localized in production in Alabuga.
At the same time, other electronic units and components of the Geranium-4, according to Ukrainian intelligence, remained unchanged.