Russians Standardized Guidance Systems for Gerbera Seeker and Geran Seeker Drones

The Russians have standardized the guidance, communication, and navigation systems of the Gerbera Seeker and Geran Seeker drones, which are equipped with cameras for precise targeting.

This was reported on his Facebook page by volunteer Ihor Shkilny, known by the pseudonym Zampotech Omelianovich.

The drone inherited the airframe, flight controller, servos, and some other equipment from the base Gerbera model. At the same time, an inertial navigation system was installed on it, as well as a 12-element jam-resistant Kometa-M satellite navigation antenna, similar to the one previously used on Geran-2 drones.

The equipment also includes an optical camera and a mesh modem, standardized with those used on the Geran Seeker manned drones. The modem enables the transmission of video, telemetry, and operator commands, and also allows other drones to be used as signal repeaters.

At the same time, Gerbera Seeker drones are used not only for reconnaissance but also to carry out strike missions.

In particular, according to information from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Russian units have been ordered to intensify attacks on gas stations, trucks, buses, and passenger cars in frontline and border areas. To this end, the invaders plan to use the Geran Seeker and Gerbera Seeker, among other systems.

Complete and reliable data on the capabilities of the Gerbera Seeker variant are currently unavailable. According to Serhii Flash Beskrestnov, a similar system installed on Geran drones enables them to automatically detect, lock onto, and track a target. Thanks to this, the drone can continue its guidance even after losing contact with the operator during the final stage of flight.

Presumably, the Gerbera Seeker drones are intended to partially replace the more expensive Orlan, ZALA, and Supercam reconnaissance drones, as well as the Lancet strike drones, whose losses have increased due to the proliferation of Ukrainian interceptor drones.

The evolution of the Gerbera

The first known instances of Gerbera drones being used against Ukraine were recorded in July 2024. One of the first such drones was shot down in the Kyiv region on July 24.

Initially, the Russians used Gerberas primarily as cheap decoys designed to mimic the Shahed-136/Geran-2 and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Their airframes were made of foam and plywood, and the equipment was based on readily available Chinese components.

At the same time, the Russians expanded the platform’s capabilities: they installed cameras, payloads weighing up to 5 kg, communication devices, and mesh network equipment on it, and began actively deploying these drones near the front lines.

As a result, the decoy gradually evolved into a multi-purpose drone capable of performing reconnaissance and strike missions, as well as serving as a mothership and relay station for FPV drones.