First armed Iranian-made Mohajer-6 UAV used by Russia in Ukraine crashes near Kursk.

As reported by Julian Röpcke on May 26, 2024, an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), fully armed with Iranian Qaem-5 air-to-ground bombs, crashed in Kursk Oblast near Ukraine. This incident has garnered attention as it could represent the first confirmed instance of Russia using armed Mohajer-6 UAVs in Ukraine, highlighting the expanding scope of Iranian arms support for Russia.
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One Iranian Mohajer-6 UAV, similar to the one that crashed near Kursk, can carry up to four Qaem-5 small-diameter guided bombs. (Picture source: Fars Media)

News of the crash quickly spread across various platforms, with some Russians on Telegram mistakenly celebrating, believing they had downed a Bayraktar drone. However, the crashed UAV was identified as an Iranian Mohajer-6, armed and equipped for both reconnaissance and strike missions, with the tail number ER-858. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian forces have operated the Qods Mohajer-6 without armaments. The shift to utilizing armed versions, particularly with Iranian munitions, represents a notable escalation in their operational tactics. However, this was not the first instance of a Mohajer-6 being shot down; on June 7, 2023, another Iranian Mohajer-6 drone was shot down over Crimea.

Developed by the Iranian company Qods Aviation Industries, the Mohajer-6 was first unveiled in 2017, entered mass production in 2018, and is considered Iran’s most successful export drone. Designed for both reconnaissance and combat operations, this drone features a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg and a wingspan of 10 meters. It is powered by a 3-blade Rotax 912 piston engine, enabling a top speed of 200 km/h, a flight ceiling of 18,000 feet, and an operational range of approximately 2,000 kilometers, allowing it to conduct long-duration missions.

Technically, the Mohajer-6 is equipped with modern electro-optical systems, including the Oghab-4 electro-optical system, which is available in two versions: H and D. The Oghab-4H has a focal distance of 15 to 300 mm and weighs 18 kg, while the Oghab-4D has a focal distance of 60 to 120 mm and weighs 19 kg. Both systems provide high-resolution day and night vision capabilities, featuring a 36x optical zoom, a laser rangefinder, and a thermal camera. Additionally, a new 60x zoom camera has been introduced in recent years.

The Mohajer-6's weapons payload can include up to four Qaem-5 or Sadid-345 bombs, each weighing around 20-25 kg, and it can also be equipped with Hydra rocket launchers, for a total payload capacity of up to 100 kg. This flexibility allows the Mohajer-6 to perform precision strikes against both fixed and moving targets. Additionally, the UAV incorporates radar detection and electronic warfare systems like the Tiam 1400 and Taha 1400, which enhance its capabilities to disrupt enemy radar and communications, making it a notable asset in both surveillance and combat roles.

The Iranian Mohajer-6, which crashed near the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod, was armed with Qaem-5 guided bombs. These Iranian bombs can be seen as high-explosive, air-to-ground, freefall, and glide small-diameter guided munitions. The Qaem precision-guided bombs, which include the Qaem-1, Qaem-5, and Qaem-9, were officially unveiled on August 6, 2019, in Tehran. During the ceremony, Amir Hatami, the then Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, stated that these bombs were jointly produced by the Defense Industries Organization and Iran Electronics Industries.

The Qaem series includes several variants, each with different guidance systems such as laser, infrared (IR), and TV guidance. Specifically, the Qaem-5 is similar in dimensions to the previous Sadid-342 but is identifiable by the absence of a central metal band on its fixed wings, and a heavier warhead, increasing its total weight to 20 kg. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Hatami noted that the operational height for these bombs ranges from 4,000 to 10,000 feet (1,219 to 3,048 meters) and they have a range of 12 to 40 kilometers. He also mentioned that the bombs could be equipped with various warheads, including penetrating and shrapnel types, providing different destructive capabilities. This operational height ensures that the bombs can glide towards their targets rather than falling rapidly, which would reduce accuracy.

Iran’s development of Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) was influenced by similar efforts from military powers such as the United States. Iran aimed to create lightweight yet effective weapons for its modern drones, resulting in the introduction of the Sadid family of miniature bombs in 2010, which later evolved into the Qaem series. The production of advanced seekers was essential for this development, providing precise targeting capabilities. Examples of these seekers, including the thermal image RU320ST and visible image RU113ST, have been used in both the Sadid and Qaem bombs.

The Qaem series includes several variants, each with different guidance systems such as laser, infrared (IR), and TV guidance. Specifically, the Qaem-5 is similar in dimensions to the previous Sadid-342 but is identifiable by the absence of a central metal band on its fixed wings, and a heavier warhead, increasing its total weight to 20 kg. Featuring larger, curved middle wings, this bomb has a range of 12 kilometers when released from a height of 5 kilometers, potentially extending to 20 kilometers if released from higher altitudes.

The guided bomb, also known as BS20 or Ghaem-5, uses various seekers, including optical, thermal, laser, and combinations thereof, allowing for accurate operations in different weather conditions. The known technical specifications of the Qaem-5 include a length of approximately 1,080 mm and a diameter of 152 mm. The bomb's guidance system, based on an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and various seekers like TV and IR, allows it to self-adjust its trajectory for accurate targeting. The BS20 bomb is pre-fragmented, utilizes an electrical fuse, and is equipped with a warhead carrying 8.5 kg of H6 explosive material, enabling it to be carried and dropped from Iranian UAVs such as the Mohajer-6 and Hamaseh.

A variant of the Qaem-5 includes an infrared seeker and a proximity fuse, designed to reduce construction costs while maintaining effectiveness. Another variant, displayed in December 2021, has increased wing dimensions, potentially enhancing its range and payload capacity. This variant has been seen mounted on the Fotros reconnaissance and combat drone, indicating its operational use.

The Qaem-1 bomb is designed for use with Iran's lighter drones, such as the Ababil series. Weighing 12.5 kg, with a warhead of 1.5 kg, the Qaem-1 uses similar seeker technology. It offers a range comparable to the Qaem-5, making it suitable for light drones in accordance with Iran’s "one shot for each target" doctrine.

The Qaem-9 bomb, though less frequently seen, appears to be intended for use with fighter jets. Its dimensions suggest a longer and heavier build than the Qaem-5, with an estimated length of 150 cm and a weight of 30 kg. It can carry various warheads, including thermobaric types, and is expected to have a range of 20 to 40 kilometers, depending on the release height. The Qaem-9 has not been widely exhibited, and its deployment on drones remains speculative.