The US Air Force is seeking to acquire a 1:1 replica of the Shahed-136 drone that Russia deploys against Ukraine and use it for developing and enhancing countermeasures.
It must replicate the form, fit, and function of the kamikaze drone, specifically a gas-powered model with a minimum range of 50 miles (80 kilometers). Having GPS-denied capabilities or radar evasion features is not required.
The service intends to purchase 16 of these replicated drones, with an option to buy an additional 20 later, according to the request for information.
The look-alike must weigh between 55 and 1,320 pounds (25 and 599 kilograms) and fly below 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) at speeds below 250 knots (463 kilometers/287 miles per hour).
It must feature an open system architecture to integrate various payloads.
Launched from a pneumatic system, the copy must be able to take off and land autonomously.
Operation of the uncrewed aerial system, from setup through to cleanup, must be performed by no more than three personnel.
Russia’s drone campaign against Ukraine distinctly features the Shaheds, of which Moscow increased its weekly launches from about 200 to over 1,000 since late last year to degrade Ukrainian morale and overwhelm defenses.
There are numerous Shahed drone variants, but the Shahed-136 (known as Geran-2 in Russia) stands out as the low-cost, long-range loitering munition posing a prevalent threat on the battlefield.
It can reportedly fly at a range of anywhere between 970 and 2,500 kilometers (602 and 1,553 miles) and operate continuously for up to 40 minutes.
The Shahed-136 carries an approximately 40-kilogram (88-pound) warhead, sufficient to cause damage to fixed and high-value infrastructure, as well as slow-moving targets.
Costing $20,000 to $50,000 each, the low-cost weapon has proven to be an expensive challenge for Western air defense systems and interceptors, which typically cost millions.
However, Ukraine and its allies have been developing countermeasures against the “unpredictable” weapon.
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