According to reports from Ukrainian monitoring sources, Russia is beginning development of a new jet-powered strike drone, the «Geran-6», which is planned to be equipped with a warhead weighing up to 600 kilograms. The drone is expected to attack targets from a high altitude along a trajectory similar to a ballistic one, and its stated range will enable it to reach any region of Ukraine. The first prototypes could be ready as early as June 2027, whilst large-scale production is scheduled to begin in 2028.
- Russia is preparing to develop the «Geran-6» jet-powered drone.
- Two variants are planned, with warheads weighing 300 and 600 kg.
- The new drone is said to attack targets from a great height, following a trajectory similar to that of a ballistic missile.
- The stated range should make it possible to engage targets across the whole of Ukraine.
Russia plans to develop the «Geran-6» with a warhead weighing up to 600 kg
According to the Telegram channel «Operative Inform», Russian design bureaux have been tasked with developing a new attack jet drone, «Geranium-6».
It is reported that the future vehicle is planned to be produced in two variants, which will differ in the weight of their warheads. The first variant is expected to carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms, whilst the second will carry up to 600 kilograms.
This is significantly more than in most known variants of attack drones in the «Geranium», which Russia is already deploying against Ukraine. At the same time, no confirmed technical specifications for the new aircraft – including its dimensions, engine and actual payload capacity – have yet been made public.
The new drone is set to be deployed along an unusual flight path
One of the key features of the promising «Gerani-6» is said to be its method of approaching the target. According to published information, the drone is designed to approach the target from a considerable altitude along a trajectory that the source describes as ballistic.
Such a flight profile would differ from the traditional horizontal approach used by many attack drones.
However, this does not mean that the «Geran-6» will be a fully-fledged ballistic missile. Its flight characteristics and manoeuvrability will depend on the design, guidance system and engine of the future vehicle.
It is also reported that the estimated operational range of the drone is intended to cover the whole of Ukraine.
The first «Gerani-6» missiles could appear in June 2027
According to «Operative Information», Russian developers are targeting June 2027 as a possible launch date for a new attack drone. At the same time, full-scale production of the tested prototypes is reportedly planned to begin around mid-2028.
These dates are still provisional. It is not yet known at what stage the project is or whether any prototypes have been produced.
Russia is already modernising its «Gerani-4» and «Gerani-5» jet aircraft»
The report on the new variant emerged against the backdrop of confirmed developments in Russian jet-powered drones.
On 5 October, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine released information regarding the modernisation of the «Gerani-4».
Russian engineers have fitted the drone with additional navigation systems, including the «Susannin» optoelectronic system, which enables it to navigate using images of the terrain. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, similar technology is also being used in the new «Gerani-5» variant. Furthermore, the enemy has begun to deploy specialised cumulative warheads to target specific types of infrastructure facilities.
Analysts at the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) also highlight the pace at which Russian drones are being modernised. Manufacturers are constantly modifying the design, guidance systems and payloads based on the results of their deployment.
