Russia is copying cruise missile tech onto its $50,000 drones to deal with Ukraine's jamming
Russia is equipping its Geran-series drones with a new optical navigation system called 'Susanin' to bypass Ukrainian electronic jamming. By using pre-saved terrain imagery and a downward-facing camera, these drones can navigate independently of satellite or radio signals.
Why it matters
This technological advancement significantly enhances the effectiveness of Russian drone strikes, potentially neutralizing a key pillar of Ukraine's air defense network.
Ukraine's intelligence directorate is seeking information about a new optical system found on Russia's latest Gerans. Screenshots via Telegram/GUR Ukraine is warning about a new navigation system on Russian Gerans called the Susanin. It uses a camera and a pre-saved library of images of Ukraine's terrain to fly independently. The capability, similar to a tech on cruise missiles, could help Gerans completely bypass jamming. Last week, Ukraine's defense intelligence directorate put out a call for information on a device newly found in Russia's latest killer drones. The "Susanin," a small cylinder with a camera lens, is an optical system that enables Russia's long-range drones to navigate Ukraine's skies without relying on satellite or radio signals. Should Moscow deploy them at scale, the modules would introduce a major new challenge for Kyiv, allowing Russian one-way drones to bypass jamming — a key pillar of Ukraine's air defense network.
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