Shahed-238 vs Geran-3
Shahed-238 and Geran-3 are both discussed in the context of jet-powered one-way attack developments. Their possible relationship is an evidence question, not permission to assume that every reported system has identical propulsion, seekers, warheads or operational status.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | Shahed-238 | Geran-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HESA / Iranian Aerospace Industries Organization | Russian defense industry / Alabuga production network |
| Country of origin | Iran | Russia |
| Mission role | High-Speed Infrastructure Strike / Precision Attack | Deep Strike / Rapid Air-Defense Penetration |
| Year introduced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Length | 3.4 m | Approximately 3.5 m (reported) |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m | Approximately 3 m (reported) |
| Height | 0.5 m | Not publicly confirmed |
| Maximum speed | 580 km/h | Approximately 370–500 km/h (reported) |
| Published range | 1,800 km | Up to approximately 1,000 km (reported) |
| Endurance | 3 hr | Mission dependent |
| Service ceiling | 5,500 m | Up to approximately 9,000 m (reported) |
| Payload | 50 kg (warhead) | Estimated 50–90 kg warhead |
| Weight | 210 kg | Not publicly confirmed |
| Armament | 50 kg blast-fragmentation warhead; GPS/INS guidance with optical terminal seeker option | Integral high-explosive or fragmentation warhead; exact configuration not publicly confirmed |
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 the attribution and physical evidence attached to each claim. A display of one configuration does not establish the fit of a recovered aircraft with another designation. Where public links between designs remain uncertain, the comparison should preserve that uncertainty instead of declaring universal equivalence.
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.
Understanding Geran-3
Geran-3 is discussed as a jet-powered one-way attack development. Its comparison value lies in propulsion and reported mission evolution rather than simply increasing the model number from Geran-2.
Attribution, detailed performance and links to particular Iranian designs should remain qualified where public evidence is incomplete.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Shahed-238 and Geran-3 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-238 and Geran-3?
Shahed-238 and Geran-3 are both discussed in the context of jet-powered one-way attack developments. Their possible relationship is an evidence question, not permission to assume that every reported system has identical propulsion, seekers, warheads or operational status.
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-238 and Geran-3 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-238: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Geran-3: 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.