Iran Bombards United States with Low-Cost Drones, Engines Purchased from E-Commerce

Iran retaliated against United States military action by launching drone strikes against various American assets across the Middle East. The assault relied on thousands of inexpensive drones designated Shahed-136.

Multiple sources reported Shahed drone attacks at several locations in Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The Shahed-136 was employed to strike the Fifth Fleet headquarters of the United States Navy in Bahrain.

Shahed, meaning “witness” in Persian, is a drone system reportedly producible at very low cost and frequently utilised as a “suicide weapon” similar to a cruise missile.

Before the Shahed detonates upon impact with its target, the characteristic humming sound of the drone’s engine is typically heard.

The Shahed measures approximately 2.5 metres in length with a wingspan of 3.5 metres. Its nose is equipped with a 200-kilogramme warhead and optical equipment for target acquisition.

Various reports indicate that the drone, also employed by Russia in its operations in Ukraine, can achieve speeds of 850 kilometres per hour. Remarkably, the MD550 piston engine utilised by the Shahed is reportedly purchased from the e-commerce platform AliExpress.

Upon launch, the Shahed uses a rocket motor for takeoff. This rocket is jettisoned after launch and replaced by the internal piston engine.

Despite its unsophisticated design, the Shahed proves highly effective and difficult for its targets to counter. Its minimal cost enables deployment in large numbers and renders individual units expendable. The manufacturer, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its factory is located at Badr Air Base near Isfahan.

Beyond the Shahed-136, Iran possesses the smaller Shahed-131, measuring 2.6 metres in length with a wingspan of 2.2 metres and a total weight of 135 kilogrammes. The Shahed-131’s warhead is lighter at 15 kilogrammes.