Explainer: What latest test of IRGC’s super-heavy ‘Gaza’ drone demonstrated?

By Ivan Kesic

The latest test of the Shahed-149 ‘Gaza’, a super-heavy combat drone, demonstrated exceptional operational performance under maximum payload conditions.

On Sunday, the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) released striking footage of the Shahed-149 ‘Gaza’ super-heavy drone soaring through the skies during the Payambar-e-A'azam 19 (The Great Prophet 19) military drills held this month.

For the first time, military officials tested the precision bombing of multiple targets using eight glide bombs from the ‘Gaza’ drone, marking a significant advancement in its combat capabilities.

The footage unveiled a meticulously executed mission from Shahid Abbas Karimi Air Base near Kashan in central Isfahan province, as part of the Eqtedar 1403 (Authority 2025) regional military exercises, conducted from January 7 to 9.

These regional drills were an integral component of the broader countrywide Payambar-e-A'azam 19 exercises, designed to enhance air defense protection for Iran's nuclear facilities and elevate the strategic role of the country’s drone warfare.

On the inaugural day of Eqtedar 1403, previously released footage captured the chief commander of the IRGC, Major General Hossein Salami, making statements in front of the magnificent ‘Gaza’ drone at Karimi Air Base, underscoring its growing prominence in Iran's military doctrine.

In the latest footage, the drone was seen taking off from the air base, executing precise strikes on designated ground targets with Sadid-345 bombs from high altitude, and returning to land with precision.

Although the ‘Gaza' drone has been known for years, the true significance of this mission lies in the successful demonstration of flight and firepower while fully loaded with weaponry, reinforcing its formidable battlefield potential.

What is the Shahed-149 ‘Gaza’ drone?

Unveiled for the first time in May 2021 by the IRGC, the Shahed-149 ‘Gaza’ drone was introduced to commemorate the Palestinian resistance’s victory over Israel in the 11-day war in Gaza.

Developed by Shahed Aviation Industries and produced by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), this advanced combat drone was delivered to the IRGC Aerospace Force in 2022.

Drawing from the proven design of the Shahed-129, which has been in operational service since 2013, the ‘Gaza’ drone boasts a significantly enlarged structure to enhance its capabilities.

Primarily serving as a combat drone capable of engaging multiple targets in a single sortie, it is also equipped with cutting-edge sensors for reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions.

Its sophisticated avionics suite includes electro-optical and infrared sensors, a day-vision camera with 120X zoom, a thermal imaging system, and a laser rangefinder, offering superior battlefield awareness.

With an imposing wingspan of 21 meters, a length of 11 meters, and a height of 3.8 meters, the drone has a gross weight of 3,100 kilograms, placing it among Iran's largest UAVs alongside the Fotros, Kaman-22, and Mohajer-10.

Its substantial 1,500-kilogram fuel capacity enables an extended flight endurance of 35 hours, covering a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers and reaching a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters).

Powered by a PT6A-25C turboprop engine producing 750 horsepower, the Shahed-149 Gaza achieves a top speed of 350 km/h with a cruise speed of 215 km/h.

Capable of carrying a formidable 500-kilogram payload, it can be armed with up to 13 bombs or missiles—five housed internally and eight mounted externally on hardpoints.

In early exhibitions and test flights, the drone featured wings without hard points. However, in July 2023, an upgraded version was introduced, incorporating a reinforced landing gear system and newly added hardpoints to expand its armament capacity.

The current configuration includes two hardpoints per wing, allowing it to carry a diverse range of precision-guided munitions, including the Sadid-345, Qaem-1, Qaem-5, Ra'ad-301, Balaban, Shafaq-3, Shafaq-4, Almas, and Yasin.

During its latest test, the drone was armed with eight Sadid-345 bombs, deploying two bombs per hardpoint across four external mounting stations.

What is the Sadid-345 bomb?

The Sadid-345 is a highly precise glide bomb developed for use with Iranian combat drones and helicopters. It was first showcased at an IRGC military exhibition in 2014.

An evolution of the earlier Sadid-342 model, the Sadid-345 is engineered to neutralize both stationary and moving targets, including aircraft in hangars, armored vehicles, and military installations.

As an unpowered munition, the bomb relies on its aerodynamic control surfaces—wings and tail fins—to glide toward its target with remarkable precision.

It employs three advanced guidance systems:

• Television guidance: A built-in camera transmits live footage back to the drone, though accuracy is weather-dependent, with a circular error probability (CEP) of 5 meters.
• Laser guidance: Achieving a CEP of 2.5 meters, it enhances accuracy for pinpoint strikes.
• Infrared guidance: Also with a 2.5-meter CEP, this system ensures effectiveness in all weather conditions, including low-visibility environments.

The Sadid-345 measures 1,630 mm in length, with a 152 mm diameter and a total weight of 34 kg, of which approximately 20 kg is dedicated to its pre-fragmented warhead, filled with the high-explosive Composition H6.

This lethal bomb, along with its predecessor, has played a crucial role in Iran’s counterterrorism operations, particularly in strikes against Daesh (ISIS) targets in neighboring regions.

It was initially integrated into the Shahed-129 drone platform before becoming a standard armament for more advanced UAVs like the Shahed-149 Gaza.

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