Leaked Documents Reveal Iranian New Shahed-238 Power Jet Drone Can Intercept US MQ-9 Reaper.

Recent leaked documents have revealed intriguing details about combat capabilities of the Iranian-made Shahed-238 drone, highlighting its advanced capabilities and current deployment in conflict zones. According to the leaked information published on the internet, this new drone is powered by a jet engine and possesses the ability to intercept air targets, including the US MQ-9 Reaper drone. This information aligns with open-source reports suggesting that the Shahed-238 is already being utilized by Russian forces in Ukraine.
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The Iranian Shahed-238 jet-powered drone, as revealed by leaked documents, is capable of intercepting US MQ-9 Reaper drones in flight. (Picture source: ISWNews)

In January 2024, Ukrainian media reported that a Shahed-238 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had been shot down in Ukraine. This information came from an influential military blogger within the country. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Ukrainian Air Force regarding this incident. In February 2024, Ukrainian analysts examined parts of the downed Shahed-238 jet drone to better understand its technology and capabilities.

The Shahed-238 suicide drone was first informally unveiled in October 2023, featured in the Parchamdar (Flagship) Documentary. This drone shares a similar platform and dimensions with the Shahed-136 but stands apart due to its propulsion system. Unlike the Shahed-136, which uses a piston engine, the Shahed-238 is equipped with a mini-turbojet engine.

This change in propulsion and engine design increases the drone's weight. While the piston engine MD550 or a similar engine used in the Shahed-136 weighs 17.59 kilograms, the Toloue-10 turbojet engine of the Shahed-238 weighs around 20.5 kilograms. The placement of the micro-turbojet engine within the airframe reduces space for carrying fuel, necessitating modifications to the upper part of the fuselage to accommodate the air intake. These changes further increase the drone's weight and reduce its fuel-carrying capacity. The fuel type has also been changed from gasoline to Jet-A to meet the new engine's requirements. These modifications, coupled with the increased speed, result in a reduction in the drone's endurance. Notably, the maximum takeoff weight has increased from 250 kilograms to 380 kilograms due to these changes.

The Shahed-238 drone has been showcased in three variants, each designed for specific missions. The basic and standard model serves general purposes, while a more advanced version is equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker in the nose. This variant is guided by inertial and satellite navigation to the target area and utilizes the seeker in the final dive phase to select and lock onto moving targets, significantly increasing accuracy. The other model, possibly equipped with a passive anti-radar seeker, targets enemy radar systems. It uses inertial and satellite guidance to approach the target area, where the anti-radar seeker detects radar signals, locks onto the enemy's radar systems or radio towers, and attacks them.

The leaked documents reveal that the Shahed-238, equipped with a thermal seeker, can attack both ground and air targets. The documents specifically highlight an instance where the Shahed-238, also known as the M-237, successfully locked onto a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, demonstrating its ability to target drones and other aerial threats effectively.

The technical specifications of the Shahed-238 drone underscore its advanced design. It is a suicide drone originating from Iran and was unveiled in 2023. With a length of 3.5 meters and a wingspan of 3 meters, the drone is powered by the Toloue-10 jet engine, allowing it to achieve speeds of up to 600 km/h and impact speeds exceeding 700 km/h. Its flight ceiling reaches 30,000 feet (approximately 9,144 meters), comparable to the Shahed-191 model, with a flight endurance of 2 hours. The guidance system combines GPS/INS and GNSS, and it can carry a 50 kg warhead. The drone's maximum take-off weight is 380 kg, and it can be launched from JATO or vehicle-assisted platforms. The drone lands using a parachute system.

The Iranian-made Shahed-238 drone represents a significant advancement in Iran's drone technology. Its capabilities and deployment in Ukraine highlight the growing importance of uncrewed aerial vehicles in modern warfare. The implications of this technology extend beyond its immediate use, raising concerns about the strategic dynamics of conflict zones and the necessity for robust countermeasures against such advanced drones