Following an assault on Israel, Iran has launched 100 Shahed-136 drones towards it. Subsequently, Jordan's air force is attempting to intercept these drones and missiles within their airspace, with Israel's air force actively working to destroy them. The pertinent question is, how powerful are these Shahed-136 drones, and how long will it take for them to reach Israel?
What is the Shahed-136 Drone?
Shahed-136 is an Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), primarily designed for offensive purposes. Dubbed a “low-cost weapon,” it can be deployed on a large scale. This single-use drone detonates on impact with its target. Introduced by Iran in 2020, it gained notoriety in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Russia utilized it.
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Source: aajtak
Features and Power of Shahed-136
This drone's salient features and capabilities are noteworthy...
Range (Distance):
Capable of flying between 2,000-2,500 kilometers, the drone can easily traverse the 1,600-1,800 kilometers from Iran to Israel.
Speed:
With an average speed of 180-200 kilometers per hour, it may not be swift but is designed for endurance. It’s detectable due to low speed, yet when launched en masse, interception becomes challenging.
Payload (Carrying Capacity):
The drone can hold about 40-50 kilograms of explosives, sufficient to damage small military bases, buildings, or personnel. However, it's insufficient to completely demolish large nuclear plants.
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Altitude:
Operating at an altitude of 3,000-4,000 meters categorizes it as a low-altitude drone. While it aids in radar evasion, modern air defense systems can easily track it.
Fuel and Design:
Propelled by a simple design, the Shahed-136 is mass-producible in the hundreds, making it suitable for
