Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reveals upgraded Gerbera drone with 1,200 km range
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has released the specifications of Russia's Gerbera-2 drone, which can travel up to 1,200 km and carry a warhead weighing up to 25 kg.
Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
Details: DIU has published an interactive 3D model of the drone on its War&Sanctions portal, along with information about its components and electronic component base.
DIU noted that the Russians initially developed Gerbera drones as simple and inexpensive decoys designed to overload air defence systems. The first versions came in the Reconnaissance and Kamikaze variants, but their equipment subsequently began to resemble that of the more expensive Geran-type UAVs. In particular, they began to be fitted with Kometa navigation systems, mesh modems and costly cameras mounted on gimbals.
"Recently, the enemy has begun using an upgraded version of the Gerbera. The new model has a wingspan of 3 m and a fuselage length of 2.6 m. Thanks to a new 63-litre fuel tank, the drone can travel up to 1,200 km. To maintain the aircraft's stability during manoeuvres, the tank is divided internally into separate sections," the report said.
DIU also reported that the drone is equipped with a two-cylinder two-stroke engine that is essentially half of the engine used in the Geran-2, production of which has been localised in Alabuga.
"The specimen examined was fitted with a 10 kg OFZBCh-10 high-explosive fragmentation incendiary warhead and separate bags containing an incendiary mixture," DIU noted.
Meanwhile, DIU said that, according to the specifications claimed by the Russians, the Gerbera-2 can carry a warhead weighing up to 25 kg.
"The Gerbera-2's electronics include an upgraded flight controller, a 12-channel Kometa system, a mesh modem manufactured by Shenzhen Sinosun Technology Co., Ltd (China), and a new Sosiska video processing unit based on the Chinese Coke Pi microcomputer," the report said.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the specimen examined was also equipped with a dual IP camera mounted on the fuselage above the fuel tank to detect interceptor drones. Versions fitted with forward-facing IP cameras and cameras mounted on three-axis gimbals have also been identified.
DIU stressed that the new Gerbera contains more Chinese- and US-made components than those from any other countries – eight and four respectively.
"The UAV's increased operational range, made possible by its large fuel tank, indicates that the area in which it may be used could extend beyond Ukraine. It was a Gerbera-2 fitted with a warhead that was discovered on Poland's Baltic coast in mid-September," DIU emphasised.
Background: In May, P1-SUN interceptor drones made by the Ukrainian company SkyFall captured video for the first time of Russian Gerbera drones being destroyed while being used as carriers for FPV drones.
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