US Unveils MQM-172 Arrowhead Drone Resembling Iran’s Shahed-136

US Griffon Aerospace has introduced the MQM-172 Arrowhead, a new multi-role drone that bears similarities to Iran’s Shahed-136, which Russia has extensively used against Ukraine. The drone was presented at the US Army’s Maneuver and Fires Integration Experiment (MFIX) 2025 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to Defence Blog on August 17.

“The MQM-172 Arrowhead has been engineered for versatility, providing the US military with a reliable and affordable tool to test counter-drone defenses,” Griffon Aerospace stated. Its modular design allows for rapid payload integration, including electronic warfare, surveillance, and strike capabilities.

The Arrowhead is designed as a flexible test platform, with applications ranging from target training for air defense systems to potential adaptation as a loitering munition. Griffon Aerospace described it as a “multi-role aerial system capable of supporting a wide range of mission profiles.” The system can be launched using a catapult or mobile platform and is built with cost efficiency in mind.

The aircraft features a configurable payload bay capable of carrying up to 45 kilograms, allowing for various sensor or warhead options depending on mission requirements. The platform maintains a maneuverable airframe built for durability, a characteristic the company says reflects its broader design philosophy.

Photographs released during the demonstration showed a delta-wing configuration closely resembling the Russian-used Shahed drones. Analysts noted that this resemblance highlights how effective the Iranian design has been in modern war.

However, the Arrowhead is not intended as a direct combat analogue, but rather as a platform for testing and training.

The drone’s unveiling comes as the US military continues to study and counter the use of Shahed-type drones on the battlefield in Ukraine. According to Militarnyi, US officials have emphasized the importance of developing both offensive and defensive capabilities against such systems.

Earlier, it was reported that the United States revealed a new drone, the MQM-172 “Arrowhead,” modeled after the Iranian Shahed-136 and developed as a flexible platform for testing and training purposes.

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