Unmanned aerial vehicle designed for direct impact strikes
HESA Shahed 136
A one-way attack drone (OWA-UAV or OWA drone) is a type of self-destructive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to strike a target by crashing into it with an integrated warhead.[1][2][3][4] Common terms like suicide drone, kamikaze drone or exploding drone are used to indicate both of the one-way attack drone and the loitering munition. Those type of drones are self destructive similar to the loitering munitions. However, when both are self destructive the functions of loitering munitions and one-way attack drones are not the same.[5] The loitering munitions typically feature human-in-the-loop control and the ability to loiter or "hunt" for targets before striking.[5] On the other hand, one-way attack drones are often launched against pre-programmed coordinates and lack the electro-optical targeting sensor or data links required for terminal guidance or target switching.[2] They are frequently described by defense analysts as functioning more like cost-effective and slower cruise missiles than traditional drones.[6][7]
The term gained significant prominence during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, particularly with the widespread use of the Iranian-designed HESA Shahed 136 by Russian forces (under the designation Geran-2).[8]
Terminology and distinction
The terms "one-way attack drone" and "loitering munition" are often used interchangeably in media reports. However, defense analysts and military doctrines have increasingly sought to distinguish OWA-UAVs as a separate category.[9]
The primary distinction lies in the concept of operations (CONOPS) and guidance:
Loitering Munitions (LM): Systems like the IAI Harop or ZALA Lancet are designed to loiter over a target area for an extended period. Loitering Munitions used onboard sensors (electro-optical/infrared) to locate targets of opportunity. They typically require a human-in-the-loop to select the target and approve the strike at the final stage.[10]
One-Way Attack Drones (OWA-UAV): Systems like the HESA Shahed 136 typically utilize GNSS (such as GPS or GLONASS) and inertial navigation to fly to specific, pre-programmed geographical coordinates. They generally do not possess the ability to loiter, hunt for moving targets or return to base if a target is not found.[7][11]
According to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), OWA-UAVs are distinct because they are often employed for strategic "fires" against static infrastructure deep behind enemy lines, rather than tactical battlefield support.[2]
Characteristics
Cost and production
The defining characteristic of modern OWA-UAVs is their low cost relative to traditional cruise missiles. For example, a Kalibr cruise missile may cost upwards of $1 million, while a Shahed-136 OWA-UAV is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $50,000.[8][12] This cost asymmetry allows operators to launch them in "swarms" or large salvos to deplete the defender's expensive surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Those air defense missiles such as MIM-104 Patriot or NASAMS cost significantly more than the drones they are destroying.[8]
Design
Most OWA-UAVs utilize Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components to reduce manufacturing complexity:
Propulsion: Most of the one-way attack droned are typically powered by simple two-stroke or four-stroke piston engine (often copied from civilian aircraft or lawnmower engines) driving a pusher propeller. This gives them a distinctively loud acoustic signature, often compared to a "moped" or "lawnmower."[11] Jet-powered one-way attack drones such as Shahed-238 are also available.[13]
Airframe: Delta-wing configurations are common (such as Shahed-136) to balance drag and payload capacity. They often use honeycomb structures and fiberglass to reduce weight and radar cross-section.[11]
Guidance: Guidance is primarily achieved through consumer-grade or military-grade GNSS modules. GNSS guidance aided by inertial measurement units (IMUs) for environments where GPS jamming is present. Unlike loitering munitions, they rarely carry cameras or seekers. This lowers their cost but limits them to striking stationary targets.[7]
Operational history
Russo-Ukrainian War
The Russian invasion of Ukraine saw the first large-scale strategic use of OWA-UAVs. Beginning in late 2022, Russia began launching Iranian-supplied Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 one-way attack drones against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and cities.[8] In response, Ukraine developed its own long-range OWA-UAV program to produce systems such as the "Beaver" (Bober) and the AQ-400. Those OWA-UAVs targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries and airfields.[2]
Middle East
Yemen: The Houthi movement has extensively utilized OWA-UAVs (such as the Samad and Qasef families) to strike targets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. They also used OWA-UAVs to target commercial shipping in the Red Sea.[12]
United States: In late 2024 and 2025, the United States Navy and CENTCOM began deploying their own OWA-UAV squadrons (Task Force Scorpion Strike) to the Middle East to strengthen deterrence. The system developed by United States named as the "LUCAS" (Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System).[14][15]
List of OWA-UAVs
The following systems are frequently classified as One-Way Attack Drones rather than loitering munitions due to their reliance on coordinate-based guidance:
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