1. The noise signature is a problem I agree, the heat signature is practically not existent, as I already stated. They probably did some cost-benefit analysis and determined the trade off is worth it. Unhoused 2 stroke engine with the right materials can be pretty cold.
2. I didn't say it is world class or anything lol, you asked and I answered.
3). This is where it is not 100% certain. Technically this drone and its name is not even Iranian, but an Israeli designation because Iran never unveiled it formally, so all the info we have is purely open-source.
Their are different suicide UAS in Iran, and different variants. We've seen some with what appears to be infared nosecaps or small housing for a camera at the tip of the head, and some and others do not any. The version that Russia has as far as we are concerned does not, which allows them much greater ability to use these at large quantities.
The reason the UCAV wouldn't just hit the targets and leave is probably because this airspace is so densely packed with AD systems, that any Russian or Iranian system that tries interdiction would probably not survive on the way out. They would need to stay much further back and coordinate with these Shaheeds. We already see how UCAVs cannot survive in this environment. It's not as efficient as active guidance, because suddenly your target may move and it may not be able to adjust in time, and needs constant course updates, these are limitations for this particular drone.
Other variants can have what you are referring too.
1.) Heat Signature is going to be a problem, because you are talking about temperature in contrast to the sky. Which depends on altitude, it's range between 10-25 degree C, a 2 strokes engine can warm up to at least 50 degree C, that's a very big contrast.
You may be able to mask the heat signature if that is terrain hugging drone, but that would mean you need autonomous guidance system, which mean the moment it shoots up, that engine will get pick up like a hot rock in freezer.
2.) You aren't answering my question. I asked "Did Shahed 136 have counter measure". I.E. Chaff, Flare, Electronic Countermeasure. Not anti-Jamming device.
3.) This is not about open source, this is about physical attribute, I mean, unless Iran follow some sort of special physics which the Chinese here usually brag about, if you don't have optics onboard, you can't guide the drone passively on target. Which mean either it will become Fire and Forget, or predetermined waypoint, and the only thing you can change the way point for course adjustment is as if you have eyes on your drones from launch to on target. That's what the optical system for. And if you don't have it, you will need a set of physical eyes on target.
Which again, defeat the purpose of launching a suicide drone to begin with, I don't know how or why Iran want to use loitering munition, but if I have to have a spotter on ground or in the air, then why I don't just strike that target with that asset? This is not about open source, this is about how drone was used.
The very reason to use suicide drone is you don't want to risk your asset on high risk A2/AD laden area, so you use loitering munition, did it not defeat the purpose if you require a set of eyes on target to do course correction if you want to hit your target accurately??
