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2 Analyst Notes
This image shows one of several possible warhead variants that can be carried by the Shahed-136/Geran-2 one-way attack (OWA) UAV. The Shahed-136/Geran-2 (and the smaller Shahed-131/Geran-1) has been documented carrying shaped-charge warheads, penetrator warheads, and multi-function warheads. Due to the various warheads that can be carried by a Shahed/Geran drone, the functional use cannot be determined without the warhead being visible. In this case, the munition was fitted with a TBBCh-50M warhead that contains a thermobaric explosive composition with an additional fragmentation effect. (ARES)
Thermobaric compositions are designed to detonate in a way that optimises both heat and blast effects on targets by utilising ambient oxygen from the surrounding air. They are characterised by larger fireballs, longer blast durations, and larger blast radii than conventional high explosive munitions. Despite their lower detonation velocity and lower peak pressure relative to conventional explosives, thermobaric munitions are particularly useful against fortified structures due to their longer blast impulse (a firm ‘push’ rather than a quick ‘snap’). The blast wave caused by thermobaric munitions also travels further, making these weapons effective at diffracting inside structures such as buildings and cave systems. (ARES)