Shahed-136 vs Shahed-238
Shahed-136 is associated with a propeller-driven one-way attack configuration; Shahed-238 introduces a jet-powered reference. Propulsion changes the speed and endurance trade-offs, but it does not by itself establish which aircraft is more effective against a particular defense.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | Shahed 136 | Shahed-238 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company) | HESA / Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization |
| Country of origin | Iran | Iran |
| Mission role | One-Way Attack / Loitering Munition / Strategic Infrastructure Strike | High-Speed Infrastructure Strike / Precision Attack |
| Year introduced | 2021 | 2024 |
| Length | 3.5 m | 3.4 m |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m | 2.5 m |
| Height | 0.6 m | 0.5 m |
| Maximum speed | 185 km/h | 580 km/h |
| Published range | 2,500 km | 1,800 km |
| Endurance | 10+ hours | 3 hr |
| Service ceiling | 4,000 m | 5,500 m |
| Payload | 40-50 kg warhead | 50 kg (warhead) |
| Weight | 200 kg | 210 kg |
| Armament | 40-50 kg HE warhead (integral); some variants carry thermobaric or shaped-charge warheads | 50 kg blast-fragmentation warhead; GPS/INS guidance with optical terminal seeker option |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Keep displayed seeker variants and reported operational examples separate. Do not combine a jet version's speed claim with a propeller version's range or warhead figure. Claims about improved penetration need evidence of the specific threat environment and configuration, not just a faster maximum speed.
Understanding Shahed-136
Shahed-136 is a propeller-driven one-way attack aircraft. It delivers an expendable strike effect rather than returning from a sensor-and-weapons sortie like an armed reconnaissance UAV.
Separate reported range, actual demonstrated routes and warhead variants; common usage of loitering terminology does not prove every version has the same terminal seeker.
Understanding Shahed-238
Shahed-238 is associated with a jet-powered one-way attack design rather than the familiar propeller-driven Shahed-136 configuration. Propulsion changes the speed, endurance and support trade-offs without by itself proving combat effectiveness.
Different displayed seeker configurations and reported variants should not be combined into one fully verified operational model.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Shahed-136 and Shahed-238 catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Shahed-136 and Shahed-238?
Shahed-136 is associated with a propeller-driven one-way attack configuration; Shahed-238 introduces a jet-powered reference. Propulsion changes the speed and endurance trade-offs, but it does not by itself establish which aircraft is more effective against a particular defense.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the Shahed-136 and Shahed-238 profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- Shahed-136: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Shahed-238: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.