russian company Aerokon is developing and has already patented a new unmanned aerial vehicle. While its official designation, exact role, and specifications have not yet been publicly disclosed, the published images allow for several important observations and assumptions.
In terms of its overall concept, the new russian UAV strongly resembles Iran's unique 359 air defense missile, or more precisely, a jet-powered air defense drone, as noted by the BTVT resource. The Iranian weapon has been credited with dozens of kills against U.S. and Israeli large strike and reconnaissance UAVs, including the MQ-9, MQ-1, Hermes 900, and other similar platforms operating over Iran and Yemen.
Read more: Iran Is Developing 15,000-km ICBM to Strike the U.S.—It Is Not Hard to Guess Who Will Provide the Technology
The Iranian 359 is powered by a small turbojet engine, which reportedly allows it to reach speeds of approximately 600 to 800 km/h. More importantly, the engine gives the weapon the ability to remain airborne for an extended period, flying figure-eight patterns while waiting for a target to appear.
Unlike a conventional missile, the 359 does not appear to use a traditional seeker. Instead, it is reportedly equipped with a thermal imaging camera combined with machine vision and direct operator control. Once a target enters the engagement area, the operator can take control of the weapon and guide it toward the target.
The 359 may also be equipped with a parachute. If no target appears before its fuel is exhausted, the weapon could potentially return to the ground for recovery and subsequent reuse, either as a complete system or through the reuse of individual components.
The new russian drone-missile may employ a similar concept. Available images show what appears to be a small turbojet engine, as well as an optical seeker that could also include a thermal imaging camera.
If russia is indeed attempting to copy the Iranian weapon, such a system could pose a serious threat to Ukrainian jet-powered drones and potentially even some slower cruise missiles.
A turbojet-powered interceptor could theoretically catch up with most jet-powered drones. At the same time, one of the main challenges in intercepting a fast, low-flying target, namely the time required to launch an interceptor and bring it to the required altitude, could be reduced if the russian weapon is already airborne and waiting in the patrol area.
In other words, instead of detecting a target, deploying a launcher, launching the interceptor, and climbing to the required altitude, the system could already be in the air and ready to turn toward the target immediately.
However, as noted above, the actual purpose of the new russian UAV remains unknown, and all comparisons with the Iranian 359 are currently based on visual similarities and available information. The system also appears to remain at an early stage of development.
Moreover, russia would still need to solve one major industrial challenge before putting such a weapon into mass production: securing a reliable supply of inexpensive, small turbojet engines in sufficiently large numbers.
It is worth recalling that Iran reportedly offered russia its 358 jet-powered air defense drone in 2023. The 358 is considered an earlier and more complex relative of the 359. However, Moscow apparently showed little interest at the time, possibly because russia did not face a shortage of conventional surface-to-air missiles and Ukraine had only limited long-range strike drone capabilities, particularly jet-powered ones.
Today, however, the situation is different. The growing number of Ukrainian long-range and jet-powered drones could make such an interceptor concept considerably more attractive to russia.
Read more: How U.S. Hunted Iran's Ballistic Missile Launchers, Losing 25% of All MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, What Will Replace Them
