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Russia’s Latest Geran-5 Can Navigate by Terrain Images—and Fly Farther and Faster
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Russia has begun using a new Geran-5 variant against Ukraine that combines optical navigation with greater range, speed, and flight altitude, making the weapon less dependent on satellite signals and less vulnerable to electronic warfare.
The new version, designated Geran-5 K5-K, was described by Ukrainian presidential defense technology adviser Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov on October 22.
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According to him, Ukraine first detected the variant roughly a month ago.
Its most important change is an optical guidance system that allows the weapon to navigate using images of the terrain rather than relying exclusively on satellite navigation.
That matters because Ukrainian electronic warfare systems routinely attempt to disrupt satellite signals used by Russian drones and missiles. A weapon capable of comparing the terrain beneath it with stored imagery can continue navigating even when satellite positioning is degraded or unavailable.
The Geran-5 K5-K also reportedly has greater range, higher speed, and a higher operating altitude than previous versions, although exact performance figures have not been disclosed.
The modification points to Russia’s continuing effort to make its long-range strike systems more resistant to Ukrainian electronic countermeasures while expanding the distances and flight profiles from which they can approach targets.
Beskrestnov said Russia used another recently introduced weapon the same day—the low-cost Filin cruise missile, which Ukraine also first identified only about a month ago.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) published a detailed breakdown and interactive 3D model of Russia’s new Filin cruise missile, revealing a low-cost, ground-launched weapon with a claimed range of up to 1,200 kilometers and an increasingly Chinese-heavy electronics base.
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