KYIV, — Russia’s Geran-4 jet-powered strike drone has been examined by Ukrainian journalists and technical specialists in an investigation published by Schemes, the investigative project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), on September 24. The examination of recovered wreckage provides details about the drone’s engine, optical system, communications, navigation equipment and foreign-made electronics.
Chinese-Made Jet Engine
The Geran-4 uses a turbojet engine instead of the piston engine used by earlier Geran variants. Specialists identified a Chinese-made TG-2000 engine in the examined drone, with a reported service life of about 30 hours.
The drone can reach speeds of around 450–500 km/h and an altitude of up to 8 kilometers. Its assessed range can exceed 700 kilometers under the reported conditions.
Earlier Ukrainian assessments also identified Chinese Telefly LX-WP-160 and TF-TJ2000A engines in Geran-4 airframes. The examined drone was produced at Russia’s Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, where investigators found Chinese markings and a technician’s note indicating that the engine was serviceable.
Day, Night and Infrared Camera
The newer Geran-4 configuration has a dedicated camera compartment in its nose. The electro-optical system provides daylight, night and infrared channels, with 10x optical zoom and up to 32x digital zoom.
The camera allows operators to observe terrain and receive visual information during flight. Its housing carries Russian factory markings, including the designation “Mini-Sandwich.”
300-Kilometer Communications System
The drone is equipped with a Chinese-made mesh modem supporting radio and video communications. The reported communications range is up to 300 kilometers.
The system can transmit real-time video and allow operators to adjust the drone’s route. It can also operate as a signal repeater, allowing drones to relay communications through the network.
The examined aircraft also contained two GSM modems. Previous examinations of similar systems found SIM cards associated with Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh and European mobile operators.
A 16-channel CRPA antenna is also fitted to reduce the effectiveness of electronic warfare against the drone’s navigation and communications systems.
Foreign Electronics
The examination found that the Geran-4 continues to use foreign-made electronic components. Texas Instruments components from the United States were identified on the onboard computer, while most of the other foreign components were reported to be Chinese.
Warhead and Airframe
The Geran-4 can carry a warhead of up to 90 kilograms. Earlier Ukrainian Defence Intelligence assessments described a reinforced airframe measuring about 3.5 meters long with a 3-meter wingspan.
The combination of jet propulsion, 450–500 km/h speed, high-altitude flight, a multi-mode camera, real-time video transmission and long-range mesh communications distinguishes the Geran-4 from earlier piston-powered Geran drones.
The September 24 Schemes investigation provides a detailed look at how these systems are integrated into the Russian-produced strike drone.
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