Russians Equip Shahed Drones with 100 kg Tandem Warhead

Russian forces have started equipping Shahed‑type kamikaze drones (Geran‑2) with a tandem warhead weighing approximately 100 kilograms.

According to the specialized outlet Mines and Coffee with Sandwiches!, the Geran‑2 drones are fitted with two 50‑kilogram high‑explosive incendiary warheads of the BST‑52 type.

The high‑explosive effect of these warheads is provided by the properties of the main charge, while the incendiary effect is achieved through thermite elements and an incendiary charge placed in the shaped‑charge cavity.

The BST‑52 warhead has a diameter of 300 mm and a length of 394 mm.

The main charge is based on a plastisol high‑brisance explosive composed of octogen (HMX), barium perchlorate, aluminum powder, and ethylene glycol dinitrate.

The mass of the bursting charge reaches 35.4 kilograms, and detonation is carried out using a bottom‑mounted electronic fuze designated ‘493M.’

Another specialized source, @war_home, said that the use of dual warheads on Russian Harpia‑A1 drones has been practiced for about a year.

At the same time, the developers of the Geran‑2 chose a different approach: instead of designing a new integrated dual warhead, they mounted two standard, already‑produced warheads directly onto the drone.

In October, it became known that the Russians had introduced a new warhead modification for Shahed (Geran) kamikaze drones — this time featuring a liquid incendiary mixture.

The warhead has no official designation. It is filled with a red‑brown liquid incendiary compound, likely napalm‑based.

A distinctive feature of the design is its unconventional initiation method: the bursting charge is based on the OFBCh‑2, using the UZ‑2 fuze.

According to the markings on the drone’s fuselage, the total weight of the warhead is approximately 90 kg.