The Shahed 131 is an Iranian-made loitering munition, also known as the Geran-1 in Russian service. Developed by Shahed Aviation Industries, it is a small, cost-effective drone designed for precision strikes. The Shahed 131 is powered by the Serat-1 Wankel engine, a model that has been adapted from a commercial UAV control system. With a wingspan of 2.2 meters and a payload of a 15 kg warhead, this drone can travel a distance of up to 900 kilometers, making it a versatile asset for long-range operations.The drone is equipped with a combination of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and INS (Inertial Navigation System) for guidance, allowing it to navigate accurately over extended ranges. It also includes a backup MEMS gyroscope, which ensures stability and precision in its flight path. The flight control system is designed to connect to Iridium satellites, which theoretically allows for mid-flight course corrections, enhancing the drone’s adaptability in changing environments.A notable feature of the Shahed 131 is its design, which includes vertical stabilizers that extend only upwards from the ends of its wings, distinguishing it from the larger Shahed 136. This compact design makes it a highly efficient loitering munition, capable of conducting precise operations while remaining difficult to detect. Its 15 kg warhead is optimized for high-precision strikes, allowing it to hit designated targets with a high degree of accuracy.The Shahed 131 is part of Iran’s ongoing development of loitering munitions, which are designed to be cheaper alternatives to more traditional missile systems. This drone, along with its variants, represents a strategic innovation in unmanned aerial technology, providing capabilities that can be adapted for various military and strategic purposes. Its efficiency and relatively low cost have made it a significant development in modern drone warfare technology.While its exact origins are somewhat unclear, with some sources tracing its design to the Kentron ARD-10 drones sold to Iran in the early 2000s, the Shahed 131 showcases Iran’s ability to indigenously develop and produce advanced military drones. Its technological advancements, such as the use of GPS-based navigation and satellite connectivity, place it among the newer generation of loitering munitions capable of operating with high precision over long distances.