Israeli Air Force to Train with Replica of Iranian Shahed 136 Suicide Drone
April 12, 2024
Smart Drones, an Israeli company, has recently unveiled a detailed replica of the Iranian Shahed 136 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), named Delta-wing RS2. This replica is being produced primarily for use by the Israeli Air Force and defense companies as part of their training operations, integrated into what is known as a ‘Red Squadron.’
A ‘Red Squadron’ or an ‘Aggressor Squadron’ is a concept employed by various air forces, including the Israeli and US air forces, to simulate enemy tactics and capabilities during training exercises. These units aim to enhance the realism of pilot training by mimicking the equipment and tactical approaches of potential adversaries. The Israeli Air Force utilizes the 115 Squadron, also called the ‘Flying Dragon’ or ‘Red Squadron,’ for this purpose, similarly to how the United States Air Force uses the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
As the use of UAVs in warfare has increased, so has the need for realistic UAV targets in training scenarios. Smart Drones, specializing in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) technologies, has developed several UAVs for this purpose. According to Dudi Ohayon, COO of Smart Drones, these UAVs could also serve as targets to test and enhance air defense systems.
Among their products are the Predator, with a length of 3.2 meters, a maximum speed of 65 meters per second, and a range of 40 kilometers; and the RS-1, a jet-powered UAV that is 2 meters long, reaches speeds of 100 meters per second, and has an 80-kilometer range. The recent addition to their UAV range, the Delta-wing RS2, closely replicates the features of the Iranian Shahed 136, a drone used by Iranian forces and Russia in various conflict zones, including Lebanon and Ukraine.
The Shahed 136, a UAV developed by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), is classified as a loitering munition or suicide drone, designed for direct ground attacks. It features a delta-wing design with stabilizing rudders and is launched from a portable system that can be truck-mounted, facilitating quick deployment. The drone measures 3.5 meters in length and has a wingspan of 4.6 meters.
