Russia has modified the fuselage of the Geran-2 (Shahed) kamikaze drone to accommodate air-to-air missiles.
The Mines and Coffee with Sandwiches specialized channel reported on this.
The design includes a dedicated slot for the R-60 aircraft launcher, where the APU-60-1MD is installed.
According to the channel, these solutions were previously improvised but are now factory-produced.
These modified Geran-2 drones do not carry a warhead, and changes to the fuel tank design have also been recorded.
Geran-2 with R-60
The R-60 missile is mounted on the upper part of the drone’s airframe. According to the Defense Intelligence, a standard APU-60-1MD aviation launcher adapted for an unmanned platform is used.
The drone is equipped with two video cameras: one in the nose and another behind the missile launcher. Video signal and control commands are transmitted via the Chinese Xingkay Tech XK-F358 mesh modem.
If a Ukrainian aircraft or helicopter is detected, the operator remotely commands the missile launch.
After launch, the thermal homing head of the Soviet short-range R-60 air-to-air missile independently acquires the target. The effective launch range is estimated at 7-8 km.
A version of the drone with the missile oriented toward the engine is also being considered.
The option of pre-locking the target with the homing head, followed by operator confirmation of launch, is also not excluded.
The flight controller, navigation, and inertial units remain standard for other Shahed versions used by Russia.
For satellite navigation, a 12-channel anti-jamming Kometa module is used, capable of operating under active electronic warfare conditions.
The onboard electronics include a British-made Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer, a tracker, and two GSM modems for telemetry transmission. This configuration provides a relatively stable communication link and control during combat missions.
