Just a few years ago, "Geran" was a relatively simple long-range drone with a piston engine. Today, the family includes machines with jet propulsion systems, increased payload, optoelectronic systems, and computer vision. The most noticeable change has been in speed: while the early "Geran-2" developed about 180 km/h, the "Geran-5" is claimed to reach 500–600 km/h, with some estimates going up to 700–800 km/h.
It all started with range and mass production
The first versions were built around a fairly simple concept: deliver a warhead over a long range with minimal cost and mass production capability. "Geran-1" received a piston engine, a range of up to 1000 km, and a warhead of about 15 kg. The larger "Geran-2" had its range increased to 2000 km and its warhead mass to 40–50 kg at a speed of about 180 km/h.
This scheme provided an important advantage – long flight duration with relatively low fuel consumption. But along with this came an obvious drawback: low speed limited the survivability of the aircraft. Therefore, further development of the family went not only along the path of improving electronics but also along the line of increasing speed.
The first limitation was speed
The answer was "Geran-3" with a turbojet engine. Its speed increased to approximately 450–500 km/h, almost three times that of "Geran-2". At the same time, the aircraft received a warhead weighing up to 90 kg, although the range decreased to 400–500 km.
At this stage, it became noticeable that the family was no longer a single universal design. Some versions maintained a focus on range and mass production, while others gained higher speed and a larger payload. Developers effectively began adapting the platform for different tasks, rather than simply increasing individual characteristics.
Then "Gerans" learned to "see" the target
The next important change was no longer speed, but the autonomy of the guidance system. The "Geran-4" in the "Seeker" version received an optoelectronic station, a communication channel with the operator, and computer vision.
For early machines, the basis was flight along a pre-set route to known coordinates. New electronics allowed trajectory correction during flight, and machine vision algorithms enabled detection and tracking of objects based on onboard optics data. In case of communication loss, some guidance tasks can be performed autonomously.
Now the focus is on jet speed
The culmination of this evolution was the "Geran-5". Unlike early aircraft, which were designed as "flying wings" with piston engines, the new machine received a design resembling a small jet aircraft or cruise missile.
It is stated to have a range of about 500–600 km and a warhead mass of up to 90 kg. The speed is estimated at 500–600 km/h, with some sources citing values up to 700–800 km/h. If we consider the upper estimate, this is more than a fourfold increase in speed compared to "Geran-2".
From a simple apparatus to an entire family
This resulted in a telling chain of changes. The first "Geran" focused on low cost and range, then the family received a heavier payload and increased speed, after which jet engines and more advanced guidance systems appeared in the design. Now, developers are combining high speed, significant payload, and elements of autonomous target recognition.
At the same time, some characteristics of the latest modifications remain known only through open estimates. But even the available data are sufficient to see the direction of development: "Geran" has ceased to be a single simple platform and has turned into a family of aircraft, where successive versions solve different technical problems – from long-range flight to high-speed target engagement using more advanced guidance systems.