Iran inducts Hadid-110 as its fastest kamikaze drone into operational service.

The first batch of the fastest suicide drone currently in Iran’s inventory, known as Hadid-110 or Dalahu, was delivered to the IRGC Ground Force to conduct short-range strike missions with reduced warning time compared to propeller-driven UAVs.

On December 6, 2025, the Tehran Times reported that the first batch of Hadid-110 jet-powered suicide drones was delivered to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Force. The drone, also known as the Dalahu, is currently the fastest suicide drone in Iran’s inventory and is intended to conduct short-range strike missions with reduced warning time compared to propeller-driven UAVs such as the Shahed-136.
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The Hadid-110 reaches speeds of roughly 510 to 517 km/h, which is significantly faster than the propeller-driven Shahed-136’s cruising speed of about 185 km/h, greatly reducing the time defenders have to detect, track, and intercept it. (Picture source: Iranian MoD)

The Hadid-110 is built around a mini-jet engine integrated into a faceted airframe with sharp, planar surfaces intended to reduce radar cross-section through controlled reflection and dispersion of radar energy. This design is presented as a response to the limitations of slower propeller-driven suicide UAVs, such as the Shahed-136, which face long flight times and higher vulnerability to interception by modern air defenses. The Hadid-110 reaches speeds of roughly 510 to 517 km/h, which is significantly faster than the propeller-driven Shahed-136’s cruising speed of about 185 km/h, reducing the time defenders have to detect, track, and intercept it. With a range of about 350 km and a smaller warhead (about 30 kg), the Hadid-110 is optimized for quicker, localized strike roles where speed and limited warning are priorities. In contrast, the Shahed-136’s range extends to roughly 1,000 km to 2,500 km, making it suitable for deep-strike saturation missions rather than tactical, fast-penetration tasks.

The propulsion system is mounted at the rear of the airframe, drawing airflow through a dorsal rectangular intake intended to limit radar exposure while feeding the engine. This engine allows the Hadid-110 to operate for approximately one hour (much shorter than the Shahed-136's endurance of up to approximately 11.5 hours) at altitudes approaching 9,144 meters, which is roughly more than twice as high as Shahed-136’s altitude range of approximately 4,000 meters, potentially placing it above some short-range air defenses. The delta wing and tailless configuration resemble layouts used in lightweight cruise missile designs that prioritize compactness and control stability. The launch procedure relies on a solid-fuel booster mounted to a rail assembly shaped to match the drone’s outline, which accelerates the vehicle until the jet engine ignites in flight. This method allows operational units to deploy the drone from varied locations without dedicated runways or complex launch facilities.

Navigation is performed through an autopilot, as well as inertial and satellite systems that execute pre-loaded routes, while the mission interface relies on tablet-based entry of target and flight data. Public appearances of the Hadid-110 began at an Iranian defense exhibition attended by senior leadership, followed by its presentation at Eghtedar 1403 and later during the second phase of the Great Prophet 19 exercise in February 2025. By that point, it had already been designated Dalahu within the IRGC Ground Force units. Additional footage shows the drone used as a target during an air defense training event involving the Imam Zaman mechanized brigade, where it was launched and then engaged by anti-air systems. The use of this platform as a target created a more demanding scenario for units accustomed to slower, more detectable propeller-driven drones. These activities indicated that the system had progressed beyond prototypes and was undergoing integration into varied training cycles.

The Hadid-110 then featured in the Sahand-2025 multinational counterterrorism exercise in East Azerbaijan Province, conducted with ten member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization along with observer participants from regional states. During the drills, Iranian units used the platform in strike roles against distant simulated objectives, demonstrating its incorporation into structured field operations. The exercise represented the first SCO field event hosted by Iran after joining the organization and provided an opportunity to display evolving unmanned capabilities to a range of participating militaries. The airframe length is not publicly disclosed, but visual estimation places it near 2.5 to 3 meters with a lightweight structure. Its rail-mounted launch apparatus allows storage and transport in a rectangular container that can be rapidly prepared for firing. Future iterations could incorporate updated payload options or sensor packages if Iran follows patterns seen in the evolution of other indigenous UAVs.

Iran’s introduction of the Hadid-110 occurs alongside continued expansion of its unmanned aircraft production base, which began decades earlier with small reconnaissance craft and gradually incorporated strike functions, culminating in loitering munitions and jet-powered concepts. Early designs emphasized endurance and simplicity, but successive iterations added heavier warheads, improved navigation, and more specialized airframes. The introduction of platforms such as the Mohajer-6 and later the Shahed series marked a shift from small tactical systems to long-range or mass-produced attack drones. Over time, Iran integrated production methods that allowed assembly in dispersed facilities, enabling sustained output despite constraints. This progression resulted in a diversified industry capable of producing both propeller-driven long-range drones and more recent high-speed systems.

Iran’s drone inventory now includes a broad spectrum of operational categories, ranging from long-range loitering munitions like Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 to medium-altitude strike assets such as Mohajer-6 and jet-powered designs including the Shahed-238 and the Hadid-110. These systems have appeared in multiple regional and international conflicts, including strikes in Ukraine and deployments in Ethiopia, Iraq, and along the Red Sea. Various armed forces have adapted their air defense structures to address the persistence of low-altitude attacks and the expansion of jet-based threats that compress reaction timelines. The combination of slower long-range systems and faster short-range platforms provides Iranian forces with multiple operational patterns. The induction of the Hadid-110 adds a new segment focused on rapid penetration missions that complement the existing portfolio.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.