Russian Geran-4 and Geran-5 gain terrain-matching navigation
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Russian drone attack on Kyiv, September 25 (Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
Russia has equipped its Geran-4 and Geran-5 attack drones with an optical terrain-navigation system that allows them to fly without relying on satellite navigation, Ukrainian presidential defense technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, known as Flash, said.
The system works by loading reference images of the terrain along the drone's planned route into its onboard computer before launch.
During flight, the drone compares those stored images with footage from its camera to determine its position and correct its course.
"For basic orientation, ordinary terrain images from Google are sufficient," Beskrestnov said.
The main concern, he said, is that a drone navigating by terrain imagery does not depend on GPS or other satellite-navigation signals that can be disrupted by conventional electronic warfare.
"A drone flying according to terrain imagery is not affected by electronic warfare," Beskrestnov said.
Russia has already used similar technology on smaller Molniya, V2U and Lancet drones, he said.
A comparable system has recently been found on Geran-4 and Geran-5 attack drones, operating through a flight-control system called Susanin.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) independently disclosed details of the system on Oct. 5.
HUR described Susanin as an electro-optical correlation navigation system that compares images from an onboard optical sensor with reference images stored in the drone's computer.
The system allows the UAV to follow its programmed route from launch to target even when satellite navigation is unavailable or disrupted.
HUR said the upgraded Geran-4 uses Susanin alongside satellite and inertial navigation systems. A similar system has also been installed on the new K5 version of the Geran-5.
Beskrestnov expects Russia to develop such systems more actively in 2027 for medium- and long-range drones as well as low-cost cruise missiles.
The technology is separate from the Mesh communications systems Russia has also begun using with its attack drones.
On Oct. 5, Beskrestnov showed examples of compact Mesh modems that could be used as repeaters to maintain communications with Shahed-type drones over Ukraine.
Two days earlier, he said Russia could be using hidden Mesh repeaters in Kyiv to control drones in real time and adjust their flight paths during attacks.
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