Hadid‑110: Iran’s Leap in Speed, Stealth and Strike Capability
TEHRAN — Iran has showcased its latest jet-powered suicide drone, the Hadid‑110 — known operationally within the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces as “Dalahu” — marking another milestone in the country’s expanding fleet of advanced unmanned aerial systems.
Iranian officials and media describe the system as a high speed, stealth-oriented platform designed to counter modern layered air defense networks and support ground forces in rapidly evolving battlefields.
In recent years, drone warfare has emerged as one of the defining elements of modern conflict. No longer limited to surveillance, unmanned aircraft now play decisive roles in saturation attacks, precision strikes, and psychological and operational pressure on adversaries.
As air defense systems continue to evolve with long-range radars, integrated networks and multi-target engagement capability, military designers have turned toward drones with higher speeds, lower radar cross-sections and shorter detection-to-impact timelines.
Within this broader evolution, the Hadid‑110 represents more than the introduction of a new platform; it reflects a doctrinal shift in Iran’s approach to suicide drones, moving from low-cost, high-volume attacks toward specialized, anti-air defense penetration missions. Iranian commanders describe the system as a next generation tool for overcoming modern defensive architectures.
A defining feature of the Hadid‑110 is its jet propulsion system, which distinguishes it from previous generations of propeller-driven suicide drones.
While propeller drones are economical and widely deployable, their relatively low speed gives air-defense systems more time to detect, track and engage.
By contrast, the Hadid‑110’s jet engine significantly decreases flight time to target, limiting the window available to enemy defenses. In modern air-defense logic, every second of reduced warning sharply lowers engagement success.
Alongside its propulsion, the drone’s airframe reflects a deliberate focus on stealth and survivability. According to Iranian reports, the body of the Hadid‑110 is shaped with angled surfaces and simplified geometry to reduce radar reflection.
This low-observable design, combined with high speed, allows the drone to appear on defensive radar systems later and at shorter ranges — distances that may be insufficient for effective interception. Designers emphasize that survival in contested airspace was a core objective.
Another advantage of the system is its rocket-assisted launch mechanism. Instead of relying on runways or heavy launch infrastructure, the Hadid‑110 can be fired from compact ground
installations, enabling deployment from diverse geographic locations.
The rocket launch method enhances tactical mobility, reduces the likelihood of detection of the launch crew, and allows rapid repositioning — all critical elements in asymmetric and modern mobile warfare.
The drone’s mission profile is centered on penetrating air-defense layers and striking sensitive, high value targets. These include command centers, radar stations, defense batteries and critical infrastructure nodes.
In operational doctrine, neutralizing or degrading enemy air defense systems opens pathways for other offensive assets, giving the Hadid‑110 a key role as a “path-clearing” platform in complex operations.
Iran officially delivered the Hadid‑110 to the IRGC Ground Forces, signaling that the system has moved beyond testing and into active service.
The operational name “Dalahu” underscores its integration into ground-based tactical formations and its role in missions that connect ground maneuver with aerial precision.
With suitable range and a warhead designed for impactful strikes, the drone is positioned as a fast, accurate weapon for both defensive scenarios and offensive operations where timing is crucial.
Iranian analysts highlight that the drone contributes to a broader strategy of increasing the cost of defense for adversaries. Every activation of an air defense system requires significant expenditure of ammunition, logistics and personnel resources.
If produced in large numbers, systems like the Hadid‑110 could shift the cost-benefit balance in favor of Iranian forces, particularly in high-tempo or attritional conflicts.
While battlefield performance will ultimately determine its long-term role, Iran positions the Hadid‑110 as part of a deliberate transition toward a new generation of tactical drones intended not only to attack but to disrupt the defensive calculations of adversaries.
With its combination of jet propulsion, stealth shaping, rocket launch capability and high-speed strike profile, the drone illustrates Iran’s steady progress in building unmanned systems tailored for modern combat environments.
The Hadid‑110, Iranian officials say, underscores a clear and planned movement toward sophisticated drone warfare — a movement rooted in speed, precision and the ability to challenge advanced defensive networks.
As Iran continues to enhance and expand its unmanned arsenal, platforms like Dalahu are set to play an increasingly central role in shaping the country’s approach to future conflicts.