Iran Kamikaze drones launched a wave of 135 rockets at Israel that could cause deadly havoc if not stopped
Iran launched a wave of kamikaze drones against Israel early this morning that could wreak deadly havoc if not stopped by air defense systems.
The so-called Shahed drones have a range of more than 1,600 miles and can ‘hover’ over potential targets for hours before slamming into enemy soldiers, vehicles or buildings and exploding on impact.
Packed with explosives, Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be pre-programmed with the GPS coordinates of a target.
They are known as suicide drones because they dive and explode on impact like a missile, destroying themselves in the process.
The Shahed 136 is 11 feet long with an 8.2 foot wingspan in a delta or triangular shape. The explosives are contained in the nose of the drone, as well as the technology that guides it to its target for a precision strike.
A drone is launched during a military exercise at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout photo taken on Oct. 4, 2023
Objects are seen in the sky over Jerusalem after Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel, in Jerusalem April 14, 2024
An Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Shahed-136, is seen at Azadi (Freedom Square) in western Tehran, Iran, on February 11, 2024
About a hundred drones and missiles were fired at Israel
The engine is located at the rear and drives two bladed propellers. It has been compared to an engine you would find on a lawnmower or moped.
Overall, the drone weighs 440 lbs and can fly at speeds of nearly 120 mph.
To overwhelm anti-aircraft defenses, several of the drones – generally batches of five or more – are launched at once from the same stand. They can be fired in rapid succession from a rocket launcher mounted on a truck.
The rocket is ejected at launch and the engine takes over once airborne. An almost horizontal launch allows the drones to fly low and slow, thus avoiding radar detection more effectively. Iran is known to have controlled the Shaheds via radio.
They are relatively cheap, costing in the region of £10,000-£40,000 each. drone.
A chilling map has revealed the route taken by Iranian drones early this morning in an attempt to hit Israel.
After the bombing of one of the country’s embassies in Syria earlier this month, Iran has launched an attack against Israel by sending drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli targets.
The volley of missiles and drones has begun to penetrate Israel’s airspace
Drones are seen at a location in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout photo taken on April 20, 2023
Drones or missiles raced for targets at undisclosed locations in northern Israel yesterday
Dramatic footage shows the moment Israel fires missiles to intercept the aerial bombardment, with explosions seen lighting up the sky.
Britain, among Israel’s closest allies, and other nations supported Israel by sending fighter jets to shoot down the drones and missiles. US officials added that their military also intercepted drones and missiles headed for Israel.
American bases in Iraq are put on full alert and will also try to shoot down missiles and drones aimed at Israel.
In addition, the US has two destroyers and a cruiser in the Red Sea that are fully armed with anti-missile weapons and are also under orders to shoot down Israeli missiles or drones.
But Iran has threatened the US if it gets involved in the spat, claiming it is a conflict between Iran and Israel alone.
For years, Israel and Iran have been involved in a shadow war characterized by incidents such as the Damascus attack.
But Sunday’s attack, which set off air raid sirens across Israel, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
Over the years, Israel has established – often with the help of the United States – a multi-layered air defense network that includes systems capable of intercepting a variety of threats, including long-range missiles, cruise missiles, drones and short-range missiles.
This system, along with cooperation with the US and other forces, helped thwart what could have been a far more devastating attack at a time when Israel is already locked in its war against Hamas in Gaza and engaged in low-level fighting level at its northern border. with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia.
Iranian Shahed-136 UAVs: Facts and Figures
Iranian Shahed-136 UAVs – also known as suicide drones – were launched to attack Israel this weekend.
Here are some facts and figures about the deadly drone:
- Weapon Type: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
- In use since: 2021
- Made in: Iran
- Manufacturer: HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation)
- Weight: 440 lbs
- Warhead: 80 lbs
- Length: 12 feet
- Wing catch: 8 feet
- Range: 1,500 miles
- Flight altitude: 13,000 feet max.
- Speed: 120 miles per hour
- Used in: Yemen, Iraq and Ukraine
Iranian-made Shahed-136 UAVs