EN | Nvidia Jetson Orin-Powered AI Kamikaze Drones: Beating GPS Jamming on the Battlefield
The MS series variants of the Shahed-136 are seen as a product of military cooperation between Iran and Russia. The body design and fundamental physical structure of this UAV are based on the delta-wing glider “Shahed-136” developed by Iran’s HESA company. Analyses of the MS001 drone that was downed in Ukraine reveal physical features confirming its Iranian origin. However, further investigations uncovered significant details in the design of the electronic components indicating Russian modifications.
It is known that Iran initially began supplying Shahed-136s to Russia through a procurement process that started in late 2022. During this period, hundreds of Shahed-131/136 UAVs were integrated into the inventory of the Russian military.
These vehicles, referred to as Geran-2, were heavily used on the front lines during the early months of the war. By mid-2023, Russia had begun its own domestic production using technology acquired from Iran. Specifically, reports indicate that production of the Shahed-136 — known in Russia as Geran-2 — is being carried out at a facility in the Alabuga region of Tatarstan. It is also known that components are being shipped to this factory from Iran.
Beyond joint manufacturing, the project involves technology transfer and collaborative R&D efforts. The parts added or modified by the Russians on top of the original Iranian drones demonstrate a merging of the two countries’ technological expertise. For instance, although the Nasir navigation system is Iranian-made, its upgrade to an 8-channel version with a CRPA antenna likely reflects Russia’s experience in electronic warfare. Similarly, components previously unseen in Iranian Shahed models — such as the Jetson Orin AI computer and several infrared (IR) camera modules recently announced by Russia — have been integrated into the MS series. This level of sophistication also necessitates the formation of a global procurement network: U.S.-made Nvidia chips and Japanese-manufactured camera sensors have reportedly reached Iran and Russia through indirect channels. In fact, reports from 2023 mention that over $17 million worth of Nvidia products entered Russia via gray-market routes, including Jetson Orin modules.
The Shahed-136 “MS” series (notably the MS001 variant) has elevated the traditional kamikaze drone concept by integrating artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities. Thanks to its ability to autonomously detect and engage targets, this drone can identify objectives in the field without relying solely on preloaded coordinates. A Ukrainian general described the downed MS001 as a “digital predator,” stating, “It doesn’t carry pre-entered coordinates — it thinks for itself.” Powered by the high computational capacity of the onboard Jetson Orin, the drone can process imagery in real time during flight, compare it against known target models, dynamically update its flight path, and prioritize targets accordingly.
This feature enables the MS001 to make decisions based on changing circumstances without the need for operator commands or adherence to a fixed flight plan — essentially turning it into a real-life Terminator.
One of the MS001’s most critical capabilities is its resistance to GPS jamming and electronic warfare. This UAV utilizes an advanced Iranian-made Nasir satellite navigation system, which is equipped with a multi-element antenna array featuring CRPA (Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna) technology. As a result, it can maintain its positioning by filtering out spoofed GPS signals or continuing to receive satellite signals despite intense jamming attempts. In particular, the drone’s eight-element circular antenna configuration allows it to withstand even high-powered electronic jamming. If necessary, even if the MS001 loses GPS connectivity entirely, it can still maintain its course to a significant degree.
For nighttime operations and reconnaissance, the MS001 is equipped with a thermal (infrared) camera mounted on its body. The high-resolution thermal/IR imager enables the UAV to detect and track targets even in darkness or through smoke. The imagery is processed and analyzed in real time by the Jetson Orin module for target identification and tracking. Similarly, thanks to the onboard video and telemetry transmission system, the drone can relay flight data to the command and control center and also share information with other friendly UAVs. This communication capability makes it possible to carry out coordinated swarm attacks. Within the framework of swarm coordination, the MS001 can exchange real-time information with other UAVs to mutually optimize flight paths, share and distribute targets, and even maintain an adaptive formation capable of taking over the mission of a downed drone when necessary.
Technological Architecture
The success of this advanced UAV stems from its onboard high-tech components and software systems. The Nvidia Jetson Orin artificial intelligence module serves as the “brain” of the MS001.
According to the War & Sanctions analysis, the downed example was found to be equipped with a Jetson Orin Nano development kit. This module is optimized for image processing and artificial intelligence tasks, allowing the drone to process and interpret camera data in real time. Jetson Orin performs automatic target recognition and selection by comparing preloaded target images or typical object models with what the drone sees during flight.
Another critical component is the Nasir satellite navigation system mentioned earlier, along with its associated anti-jamming antennas. In the MS001 version, the Nasir system has been upgraded to include an 8-channel receiver. This receiver can acquire GPS signals across multiple frequencies (including L1 and L5 bands), making it more resilient to GPS jamming or spoofing attempts by adversaries. The multi-element CRPA antenna integrated into the drone is an integral part of this system. While first-generation Shahed drones were equipped with basic 4-element antennas, the new variants developed by Russia feature upgraded 8-element circular antenna arrays.
In addition to the thermal camera, the imaging and sensor system likely includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and other supporting sensors. The War & Sanctions report states that the MS001 is equipped with an analog infrared camera labeled SH.2.125.019. This camera module provides a critical capability for the drone to detect targets at night or under poor visibility conditions. FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) chips have also been added to the system architecture; these are used for tasks such as software-defined radio or adaptive logic control, adding flexibility to the drone’s operations.
Another notable component is the communication and data link system. The UAV is equipped with a radio modem and a video/telemetry transmission subsystem. This allows the drone to send real-time video streams and telemetry data to ground control stations or other UAVs during flight. Notably, thanks to data link modules coded RSD-902-A3 and VDL-RSD-943F-A3, the MS001 is reportedly capable of receiving and transmitting group control commands.
Main technological components of the Shahed-136 MS001 and their functions:
- Nvidia Jetson Orin AI Module: A high-performance artificial intelligence computer optimized for onboard processing.
- Thermal (IR) Camera: Infrared imaging for target detection in nighttime or low-visibility conditions. Feeds data to the Orin module, enabling automated target tracking.
- Nasir GPS Receiver (8-Channel): Advanced satellite navigation system capable of receiving GNSS signals on dual frequencies (L1/L5). Provides precise positioning resistant to GPS jamming and spoofing.
- CRPA Satellite Antenna (8-element): Controlled reception pattern antenna array. Suppresses high-power GPS jammers and filters spoofed signals to enhance navigation reliability.
- Radio Modem & Data Link: Enables telemetry and video transmission as well as bidirectional communication for swarm coordination. Allows multiple UAVs to operate in synchronization and receive operator commands when necessary.
- FPGA and Digital Control Units: Programmable circuits for adaptive tasks such as signal processing and flight control. Supports flexible reconfiguration of the UAV based on mission profile.
- MADO MD550 Engine: A twin-cylinder, 50-horsepower class gasoline engine powering the UAV. An Iranian-designed clone engine optimized to deliver a range of approximately 1,800 km (with similar production observed in Russian-manufactured Geran-2 units).
- Warhead (90 kg): Modular design allowing for the installation of various warhead types. Options include high-explosive, fragmentation, armor-piercing, or incendiary combinations — selected based on target type to maximize damage.
List Source: War-Sanctions
The modifications made to the Shahed-136 in Russia have not only enhanced the platform’s effectiveness but also significantly influenced the course of the war. Reports from Ukrainian Intelligence (HUR) emphasize that there have been notable changes in the configuration of Shaheds from 2022 to 2025, with many major upgrades implemented especially over the past year. Some of these modifications include:
- Warhead Enhancements: The original Shahed-136 drones supplied by Iran reportedly carried around 40–50 kg of explosives. In contrast, the Russian-manufactured Geran-2 variants have increased the explosive payload to approximately 90 kg.
- Navigation and Control: Early Shahed models used basic GPS receivers, but Russia quickly identified this vulnerability and transitioned to the Nasir system equipped with CRPA support.
- Communication and Command: Newer models feature enhanced remote control and data transmission capabilities. Some reports even claim that Russia has experimented with integrating Starlink satellite terminals into Shaheds for real-time control and dynamic target updating.
- Manufacturing and Materials: While Russia based its production on the Iranian design, it has begun to incorporate its own subsystems during manufacturing. For example, some of the composite materials used in the airframe and the design of electronic circuit boards have been revised to align with Russian standards.
As the Ukraine–Russia war continues, the supply and production capacity of unmanned aerial vehicles has become a critical factor. According to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR), as of May 2025, Russia is capable of producing approximately 170 Shahed-type UAVs (including Geran-2 and its derivatives) per day. Moreover, it has been reported that the production line capacity is steadily increasing, with plans to raise this figure to 190 units per day by the end of 2025.
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