Russians Start Equipping Shahed Drones with Air-Burst Warheads

The Russians have started mounting a new fragmentation–high‑explosive warhead with an air‑burst capability on Shahed (Geran) kamikaze drones.

The Telegram channel Mines and Coffee with Sandwiches reported the development.

According to the source, the enemy has recently started outfitting its drones with modernized warheads.

The warhead casing measures 300 mm in diameter and 375 mm in length. The external surface shows batch markings, the manufacturer’s identification, and a yellow line.

Preformed fragments are located in the upper section of the casing. The lower section features three filler necks and six threaded bolts for mounting an inertia‑type base fuze, model 493M.

The explosive is described as a plastisol charge – likely OLA or LP‑30T – however, the exact mass and weight of the charge are currently unknown. The author of the post estimates it at roughly 50 kilograms.

In addition, a LiDAR sensor was found in the casing, which may indicate the capability for an air‑burst detonation above the target at a predetermined altitude.

This suggests that the new warhead is designed not only for contact detonation but also to enhance the effectiveness of fragmentation‑high‑explosive damage through detonation at a predetermined altitude.

The use of such warheads may be driven by the need to target objects protected by anti-drone structures, such as nets.

Furthermore, this could be employed for strikes on areas, maximizing damage to people, buildings, vehicles, and other objects.

It is worth noting that the Russian defense industry equips Shahed (Geran) drones with various types of warheads. Specifically, it is reported that drones from the K and KB series use the 52‑kilogram thermobaric BST-52 and the high‑explosive BSF-50 warheads.

Drones from the Ы series are equipped with the 50‑kilogram fragmentation‑high‑explosive OFZBCh-50 and thermobaric TBBCh-50 warheads. Additionally, Iranian warheads and heavy 90‑kilogram cumulative‑fragmentation‑high‑explosive‑incendiary warheads with the explosive compound TGF-35P2 have also been encountered.