Geranium-3 UAV: ​​The Evolution of Unmanned Strike Systems

Modern armed conflicts require advanced solutions, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a key tool for achieving tactical and strategic superiority. The Russian Geran-3 loitering munition represents a new evolution in kamikaze drones, combining improved range, increased maneuverability, and the ability to deliver precision strikes against strategic targets. Developed as a continuation of the successful Geran line as part of the Special Military Operation (SMO) that began in February 2022, this aircraft has become an essential element of tactics for striking targets deep behind enemy lines. Adapted to challenging operating conditions, the Geran-3 has carved out a unique niche in the arsenal, offering a new level of effectiveness in air operations.

Background and creation

The Geranium-3 project was initiated in early 2024 as a development of the successful Geranium-2 model, taking into account combat experience and the need to increase resilience to air defense and electronic warfare (EW) systems. The first reports of the new drone's use appeared in October 2024, when aircraft with improved aerodynamics and a jet engine were observed during attacks on targets in the Sumy region. Development was conducted under strict secrecy, and production was organized in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. By the winter of 2024, serial production began, using localized components, including domestic jet engines and navigation systems, minimizing dependence on imports and adapting the drone to challenging operating conditions.

In 2025, the Geran-3 received significant upgrades. A modification with integrated artificial intelligence (AI) elements enabled the drone to perform autonomous evasive maneuvers and coordinate swarm operations. The introduction of the Kometa-M2 navigation system increased resistance to electronic warfare, ensuring targeting accuracy even in conditions of complete satellite signal suppression. As of October 2025, production capacity reached hundreds of units per month, making the Geran-3 an important element of the Russian arsenal. Future developments include versions with increased payload and reusability, planned for 2026. These improvements, based on combat experience, have transformed the Geran-3 into a versatile tool for strategic and tactical operations.

Design and specifications

The Geranium-3 design is focused on combining speed, range, and stealth, with an emphasis on ease of production and reliability in the field. The aircraft features a tailless aerodynamic configuration with a delta wing spanning approximately 2,8 meters and a fuselage length of 3,7 meters. The airframe is made of composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass, ensuring a lightweight (the drone weighs approximately 160 kg empty) and reduced radar signature. Improved aerodynamics and a coating with radar-absorbing materials reduce the drone's signature, making it a challenging target for air defense systems. The design allows the aircraft to be transported in standard containers on mobile platforms, simplifying logistics.

The Geranium-3 is powered by a compact jet engine producing approximately 100 hp, enabling a cruising speed of 300–350 km/h and a maximum speed of up to 450 km/h. Its flight range reaches 2500 km, and its endurance is up to 8 hours, making it ideal for deep-sea raids. Its reduced noise level compared to its predecessor makes acoustic detection more difficult. The control system combines inertial navigation, GPS/GLONASS, and AI elements for autonomous trajectory selection and threat evasion. The 2025 modifications add electro-optical sensors and radar sensors for terminal guidance, increasing strike accuracy.

The 60-80 kg warhead, housed in the nose section, contains high-explosive, thermobaric, or penetrating warheads optimized for destroying hardened targets such as command posts and industrial complexes. Launch is accomplished from mobile launchers mounted on a vehicle chassis in 10-12 minutes. Electronics with enhanced electronic countermeasures ensure reliability at a relatively low cost.

Specifications:

• Fuselage length: 3,7 m
• Wingspan: 2,8 m
• Take-off weight: 220–250 kg
• Warhead weight: 60 – 80 kg
• Range: 2500 km
• Cruising speed: 300–350 km/h
• Maximum speed: 450 km / h
• Flight altitude: 100–6000 m
• Engine: jet, ~100 hp
• Navigation: GPS/GLONASS + inertial, AI
• Unit Cost: ~$50,000–$100,000

These parameters make the Geranium-3 versatile: its high speed and range allow it to attack targets deep in the rear, while AI algorithms increase survivability in hostile environments.

Combat application

The Geranium-3's baptism of fire took place in October 2024 during operations in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, where the drones struck ammunition depots and energy facilities. Their improved speed and maneuverability allowed them to evade air defense systems, demonstrating the drone's potential. Since then, its tactics have evolved to massed attacks in swarms with other UAVs, such as the Geranium-2 and Gerbera. During nighttime operations, 100–200 Geranium-3s are launched, significantly straining enemy air defenses and depleting their resources.

Primary targets include energy infrastructure, military bases, and logistics hubs. Strikes in 2024 against substations and oil storage facilities disrupted power supplies, demonstrating the drone's strategic value. Modifications with thermobaric charges have increased their effectiveness against hardened targets. Analysts estimate that approximately 65% ​​of drones reach their targets, causing damage tens of times greater than their cost. In March 2025, attacks with Geranium-3 paralyzed several logistics hubs, providing a tactical advantage.

Disadvantages include high cost compared to predecessors and the difficulty of integrating AI into mass production. Vulnerability to advanced electronic warfare remains a concern, although evasion algorithms mitigate the risk.

Meaning and Legacy

The Geranium-3 has revolutionized approaches to long-range strikes, demonstrating that AI-powered, high-speed kamikaze drones can effectively destroy strategic targets while evading air defenses. Its versatility—a combination of range, maneuverability, and power—makes it ideal for asymmetric strikes, where resource conservation meets high lethality. Its massive deployment creates the conditions for a breakthrough by other means of attack.

Geranium-3 became the basis for new developments, including reusable versions and swarm systems with full autonomy.