Russian defense television channel Zvezda released a video on 20/7 showing a US-made RAM pickup truck equipped with a launcher for the Geran-2 long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mounted on the back. The truck sped down a straight road to provide momentum for the UAV's takeoff.
The video also shows at least 5 pickup trucks equipped with Geran-2 UAV launchers, along with an area containing fully assembled UAVs in combat-ready status. "Using mobile launchers allows for flexible and maneuverable UAV deployment," observed Jake Epstein, military editor for Business Insider.
In March, Russian military website TopWar published images of the Geran-2 UAV deployed from pickup trucks, instead of the previously used ground launchers. "Launching Geran-2 UAVs from vehicles is not yet common. Test launches have been quite successful, suggesting this method will become more widespread in the near future," TopWar stated.
The Geran-2 is a Russian-made UAV based on the Iranian Shahed-136 design. The initial Geran-2 variant weighs approximately 200 kg, carries a 50 kg warhead, and has a range of 2,500 km. This suicide UAV is a mainstay of the Russian military, used in long-range strikes against Ukraine, but can also target tactical objectives near the front lines if needed.
Russia has significantly upgraded the Geran-2 to increase its effectiveness, including equipping it with a new 90 kg warhead, combining electro-optical sensors with AI technology for target recognition and guidance for subsequent strikes, and enhancing its anti-jamming capabilities to counter Ukrainian electronic warfare measures.
Ukrainian sources and German media report that Russian long-range suicide UAVs have recently been observed circling at high altitudes, a few kilometers from major cities and strategic targets, to "swarm and launch coordinated attacks in large numbers".
Nguyen Tien (According to Zvezda, Business Insider, AP)
