Iranian Shahed-136 Drone Uses Multi-Layered Anti-Jamming Navigation Report Says

Iranian Shahed-136 Drone Uses Multi-Layered Anti-Jamming Navigation Report Says

The Iranian Shahed-136 loitering munition relies on a multi-layered satellite navigation and anti-jamming suite to counter battlefield electronic warfare, according to a report by WION.

Dual-constellation navigation, strike range up to 2,500 km

The drone navigates primarily using civilian-grade GPS and Russia’s GLONASS network, requiring no continuous human piloting, and is reportedly capable of striking targets up to 2,500 km away.

16-element CRPA anti-jamming antenna

Newer variants integrate a Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) with up to 16 individual elements, designed to filter out external interference, distinguish genuine satellite signals from spoofing, and maintain trajectory in contested airspace.

Multi-band receivers and new modules

Upgraded receiver modules support the L1, L2 and L5 frequency bands. Operating across multiple bands is seen as making the navigation system significantly harder to disrupt or spoof.

RTK positioning and inertial backup

The drone’s navigation suite also incorporates 3G/LTE cellular modems, enabling Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning that corrects satellite fixes using internet-connected ground base stations — effectively turning local cellular infrastructure into a high-accuracy navigation aid. When satellite signals are fully jammed, the drone switches to its internal Inertial Navigation System (INS), using a barometer to hold altitude and a compass to maintain heading, allowing the roughly 50 kg payload to continue a “blind” flight path until it reacquires satellite signals.

Capabilities and limitations

The report says field data indicates the Kometa-M navigation module’s 16-element array can block up to 15 GPS spoofers simultaneously. The system still has a clear weakness, however: a directed electronic-warfare source emitting around 100 watts can overwhelm the antenna filters, blinding the receiver and causing the drone to lose stability and crash.

Note: All information above is drawn from the original WION report. Claims such as the ability to block 15 spoofers simultaneously are attributed to field data cited by the outlet and have not been independently verified.