Military Studies and Analysis Institute | MSAI - M.S.A.I. ALL … · 2019. 12. 16. · MILITARY...


Iranian UAVs: forgiveness for Seraphim

Introduction

nmanned combat aerial vehicle Production program is one of the

most important defense industry programs in any country. These

drones, along with ballistic missiles, anti-ship, anti-armor and air

defense systems are the largest number of defense industry products of the Islamic

Republic of Iran. Over a thousand unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been

manufactured in different types and applications (up to 2006).

U


Fig 1: The performance of the aviation industry in the production of UAVs by 2006

Mohajer: 253 – Shahin: 6- Aeqeh: 281 – Ababil: 369 – Talash: 306

Iran's drone program was formed in 1971s during the Iraq-Iran War, in response

to the need to identify Enemy headquarters.and planned targets. This program is one

of the most advanced drone programs in the world in the analog equipment era. From

the very beginning of the first generation of simple first generation UAVs, the design

and deployment of weapons on these UAVs were defined and implemented in the

Mohajer (means Migrant) UAV in the form of multiple RPG 7 rockets.


Fig 2: In the late 1980s, Iran deployed a drone armed with RPG-7 rounds in the Iran–Iraq War

Despite Iran's lead in deploying drones, especially the production of combat drones

in the 1980s, as well as the production of more than 1,000 target and reconnaissance

drones, no specific design and efficiency regarding combat drones as well as related

weapons production were introduced and operational, after the Iraq-Iran War until

the early 2010s. Until the early 2010s, two UAVs were unveiled in the medium-

altitude long-endurance UAV (MALE UAV) category named Shahed 129 and

Fotros. The Shahed 129 UAV has four Sadid anti-armor missiles and the Fotros

UAV has two heavier missiles resembling the American Hellfire missile. Prior to

the unveiling of the two UAVs, Iranian UAVs were limited to target UAVs and light

UAVs, such as the Ababil and Mohajer missiles, which were merely used to identify

and in air defense trains to simulate enemy aircraft. Here's a brief overview of the

combat drones made in Iran.


Fig 3: The Mohajer UAV

Mohajer that is an Iranian single-engine tactical UAV is one of the first Iranian

defense industry products in the field of aircraft, especially UAVs. This UAV was

built in response to the needs that existed during the war by students and graduates

of industrial disciplines, like many defense projects that began after the Islamic

Revolution. The Mohajer UAV is a short-range, low-altitude drone to identify and

locate enemy fortifications at the battlefield. Because of the need for offensive power

and air support and due to the limited capabilities of the time, the possibility of

carrying RPG rockets was added to the UAV. This included installing two rocket

launchers under the wings of the UAV. Although this change in the military use of

drones was a groundbreaking change, it did not yield a reliable product in the combat

UAV.


Fig 4: RPG7 launchers

Fig 5: The Karrar UAV

The length of the Karrar UAV is about 5 meters and its appearance is similar

to surface-to-surface cruise missiles unveiled on August 22, 2010. The UAV is

designed and manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company

(HESA). Karrar uses a mini-turbojet engine to provide propulsion power and its

flight-range is approximately 1000 kilometers, which is reduced to 400 kilometers


if loaded. The UAV is manufactured in three different types of target UAVs, Bomber

UAVs, and interceptor drones.

Fig 6: Unveiling of the Karrar UAV

The wings of the UAV have three hard piont, two of them are under wings

and another one is under body. This UAV can up to 500 pounds (about 220 kg) of

weapons including Kosar anti-ship missile and the Shahab Saqeb missile

Fig 7: The Karrar UAV loaded with two Kosar anti-ship missiles


These features, along with the high speed of the UAV (900 km/h), make it a

platform for combat missions. At the beginning of the unveiling, the MK-82 was the

only weapon coordinated with the UAV, but later images showed the installation of

two Kosar anti-ship missiles and a Shahab Saqeb missile and an air-to-surface

missile. A new weapon appears to be the result of adding guidance and control kit

to the warhead of the MK-82 bomb. It is guided by a combination of inertia

navigation system and ground-based navigation (Hoda). It is also possible to use the

satellite navigation system in this weapon.

Fig 8: New guided bomb designed for the Karrar UAV


Fig 9: Karrar with its new guided Bomb

More details of this weapon

The Raad-301 precision guided bomb (probably using the GPS navigation

system) is another weapon that would potentially be used in the Karrar UAV. Due

to the presence of this UAV among the defensive hardware of IRGC Aerospace

Force, it is highly probable to coordinate this weapon with Karrar UAV.

Fig 10: Raad-301 precision guided bomb


Another weapon that can be used in the UAV is the Shafaq air-to-surface

missile made from the change and development of the Shahab Saqeb missile, which

has a range of 10 km, and the power to penetrate 1-1.5 m in RHA scale. This missile

is equipped with an electro-optic targeting system and has a speed of about 2 to 2.7

mach.

Fig 11: The Shafaq missile

Fig 12: The Karrar interceptor drone

For the first time, the image of the Karrar UAV with a nose cone containing

radome without mentioning its capabilities was presented by IRIB News Agency .In

another documentary Television show an image of a small space-based radar (SBR)


was showed which was matched with Karrer’s nose cone. In this image an object

similar to Karrar UAV was visible which represented the application of this radar

(for the use of a cruise missile or UAV).

Fig 13&14: The Karrar interceptor drone

Fig 15: Radar image proportional to the dimensions of the Karrar UAV nose cone

This UAV was represented at the Defense Ministry's Capabilities Exhibition

without having the mentioned radome along with the Shahab Saqeb missile. The

Shahab Saqeb missile is a short - range anti-aircraft missile that is used in the Ya

Zahra and Herze-9 air defense systems. In the new sample of this missile fins near

the nose cone (canard) has been removed and the missile uses an unknown control


system. The missile will have a range of about 12km if a surface-launched system is

used. This range can increase using air launching with a speed as fast as sound.

Fig 16: The launch of the new Shahab Saqeb by the Herz 9 short range air defense system

Fig 17: The Sofreh Mahi UCAV

Sofreh Mahi (In English Eagle ray) is a project aimed to build an unmanned

combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) by the Islamic Republic Air Force. Little is known

about the drone but scaled down mock-ups shown during Iranian Army Day 2010

parade show that it has a flat diamond shape body with twin vertical stabilizers. The

manifest apparent feature of its mock ups is the use of the design and principles of

stealth as well as the use of two turbine engines.


Both mock ups have a landing gear, enough space to install a light SBR and

equipment related to the nose cone as well as a few weapons mounting positions.

Also in front of this UCAV, a part is visible similar to the cockpit and the canopy,

considering both mock ups have such a design as well as this project has been

introduced as an unmanned aerial vehicle, it seems that this place is likely to be

designed to embed the antenna and equipment associated with the satellite

communication (Satcom system). It has been designed with an appearance similar

to the canopy of the manned combat aircraft

Fig 18: Sofreh mahi

Even though any features of the UAV are not provided to the media, with regard

to the weapon - carrying compartments of the mock-ups, the size of mock-ups, and

considering Weapons that are likely to be carried (Misaq, Sidewinder, and anti -

armor missiles), the length is estimated between 10 to 15 m., due to the nature and


type of this UAV and available facilities at the time of the project definition, the

length of 15 meters seems unreasonable! Considering these assumptions and

facilities, it can be said that these mock-ups on the original scale have a length of

about 10m (length of the body without tails) and probably for both of them, the mini-

jet engine (from the Toloue engine family) is considered as the propulsion. It is also

possible to consider the use of a j85 turbojet engine (engine of TigerII fighter).

However, in the case of the operation of the two j85 engines, the UAV will have

features similar to F-5 Tiger.

It is not yet clear why NAHAJA follows a completely different design

simultaneously in order to achieve UCAVs! Does NAHAJA intend to compare and

evaluate them ،? Are they two separate projects? A radio control (RC) sample of

these drones have produced and passed flight tests several years ago but there isn’t

any information about their fate.

Fig 19&20: The Sofreh Mahi RC sample


Fig 21: Graphic images of these drones

Fig 22: Shahed 123 and Shahed 121


For the first time, the name of Shahed UAV, belong to IRGC Aerospace Force,

was appeared in the banner of the Iranian air industry (in 2006). In fact, in spite of

the apparent similarity of the Shahed UAV to Hermes UAs (made in Israeli) before

manufacturing of the Shahed 129 UAV, at least four types of UAV were

manufactured in the same appearance, in smaller sizes, and for different applications,

which will be referred to as follows.

Fig 23: Reference to the name Shahed 123 UAV in the defense industry products banner in 2006

Fig 24: The Shahed family UAVs at IRGC Aerospace Force Exhibition


Fig 25: A sample of the Shahed UAV at the Defense Capabilities Exhibition

In the maneuver held in 2012 by IRGC, the launch images of a few types of

UAV were presented in brief and without reference to the detail. These, UAVs were

light and short range, and their flight endurance were about 12 hours! It has been

launched of the rail launcher by Booster.

Fig 26: launching of Shahed 123


A short time later in the IRGS documentary television program (Aerospace

documentary), the images related to flying of the UAV were shown with a wheel-

type landing gear and a similar body shape, but did not refer to the details and

characteristics of the UAV.

Fig 27: prototype of Shahed 123

Fig 28: early version of Shahed 123


Fig 29: Shahed 123

In the “Turning Threats into Opportunities" exhibition of IRGC Aerospace

Force, samples of foreigner UAV captured were exposed along with the samples

made by reverse engineering. In this exhibition, a kind of UAV similar to Hermes

family was displayed, which was toppled by air defense. This UVA was very

similar to those used in the maneuver of IRGS in 2012. This UAV did not have any

landing gear.


Fig 30: captured Hermes 180

The UAV sample without landing gear is not capable of carrying any weapon,

but in other samples, a cylinder (similar to anti - armor missiles) is installed beneath

the UAV whose nature and application are unknown! Especially the site of the target

seeker is occupied by installing this object. However, it may be possible to use

weapon camera for target seeking! Another possibility is that the UAV is used as a

weapon - launching platform for other UAVs.

Fig 31: The loaded Shahed UAVs


Fig 32: Shahed 129 UAV

Shahed 129

The Shahed 129 is a MALE class UAV. It is the third UCAV unveiled equipped

with air - to - surface weapons (After the Mohajer and Karrar UCAV) Shahed 129

with a length of 7.5 m and with two weapons mounting positions under the wings is

the most effective UCAV produced by the Iranian defense industry. It is comparable

with the MQ-1 Predator UAV made in the USA.

Fig 33: Comparison of the Shahed 129 UAV dimensions to Toyota Hilux


Shahed 129 has wings wider than the body length and weapons mounting

position has been mounted under each wing, each of which can be capable of

carrying two anti-armor missiles, which may potentially be used to carry four

missiles. Maybe due to the drag reduction and the increase in flight endurance, such

a loaded pattern wasn’t used

Fig 34: The propulsion of The Shahed 129

The main weapon of this UAV is the Sadid ammonition which is produced in

two types of with propulsion and without propulsion, and with a wide range of

different types of seekers and guidance systems. This weapon is actually the

developed from TOW platform, which is produced in Iran’s defense industries in the

name of a Toofan. Shahed 129 relying on this weapon and high flight endurance (24-

30 hours in newer samples) as well as having a relatively complete monitoring and

target seeking equipment, is capable of accomplishing combat missions and is


expected to be equipped with the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) (the home-made

one called Absar).

Fig 35&36: The electro-optic targeting system used in the Shahed 129 UAV


Fig 37&38: Investigation of aerial and surface targets by the camera of this UAV

Fig 39: Images recorded by thermal camera of this UAV


Fig 40-43: The synthetic aperture radar of the Absar UAV

Fig 44: View of the weapons carried by this drone

Currently, a limited number of these UAVs have been produced. Almost all

samples compared to other samples have changes in the components of the UAV

indicating the continuity of development after the UAV production start. There is


currently a production line of four UAVs (possibly in Shahed industries) as well as

the production line for its weapons which produces an acceptable number.

Fig 45: New sample of the Shahed 129 UAV with a nose cone for reception of Satcom antenna

Fig 46: The Shahed 129 UAV production line


Fig 47: Shahed 129 command center

The reconnaissance missions of the UAV are investigated within and outside

the country, and even the UAV has a crash within the country (due to the technical

fault of the engine) which represents the UAV is operative.

Fig 48: The first accident of the Shahed 129 inside Iran


Fig 49: The Hamaseh UAV

Hamaseh

The prototype of this UAV was unveiled on (2013 May 9), in presence of the

Defense Minister. In the prototype, the Hamaseh UAV has been embedded with two

weapons mounting position with an unusual appearance and a weapon was attached

to each mock–up. In the Kish Air exhibition (2016), the newer sample of the UAV

was represented, which in addition to the noticeable changes in the appearance of

the UAV, the Propulsion unit, the form of fitting pylon under wing has also been

changed. The Hamaseh UAV is mainly the result of development of Ababil 3 UAV,

and in the prototype of this UAV, wings, engine, and landing gear are similar to

those of Ababil 3 and just the appearance has changed.


Fig 50: The prototype of Hamaseh UAV

Fig 51: Ababil 3 landing in Iraq


Fig 52: The apparent similarity of the wings of the Hamaseh to that of the Ababil 3

Fig 53: Different propulsion and propeller in the new sample

Fig 54: The propulsion of the Hamaseh UAV prototype


The UAV does not have a targeting system in both examples, but it has the

capacity to accept the electro-optic targeting system installed in the Toofan

helicopter as its predecessor (Ababil 3). In the samples of Ababil 3 in Syria and Iraq,

the electro-optical site used in the Toofan 2 helicopter is visible under the body of

this UAV and therefore, the Hemaseh UAV can also benefit from the targeting

system.

Fig 55&56: Ababil 3 crashed in Syria

In the new sample of the Hemaseh UAV, a type of air - to - surface weapon

(probably without propulsion) had been loaded under the wing, which reflects


attention on combat missions in this UAV. There is no information about the

specifics of the weapon, and the weapon has never been officially unveiled.

Fig 57: Hamaseh

With a view to the production and utilization and mass-producing by 200

Ababil 3 UAV, we can say that the Hamaseh has high luck in mass production!

However, in this class a few UAVs have been proposed by industries related to the

army and IRGC ، but it can still be considered because of the characteristics of this

UAV, such as wide wings and high potential for load carrying. In addition to

offensive missions, the UAV can be used in light disrupter transport to disrupt

wireless communications and also drive artillery fire.

Fig 58: The Ababil 3 UAV with serial number belonging to IRGC


Fig 59: Fotros UAV

The Fotros is an MALE UAV and a model taken from Israeli Heron UAV and

SOP UAV. The UAV has been unveiled after unveiling of Hamaseh UAV. This

UAV is in the development stage and its future program is producing the sample

with a Turboprop propulsion, which will improve its capabilities, especially in the

field of weapons transport. In the Kish Air exhibition, a mockup of the UAV

named Fotros 110 was represented.

Fig 60: The flight of prototype of the Fotros UAV


Fig 61: Fotros 110 UAV

At the time of the exhibition of the UAV, two weapons mounting positions

were fixed under the wings, each carrying an air-to- surface missile of the type of

American Hellfire missiles, which represents the definition of combat missions for

this UAV. No specific details of the weapon have yet been published, but the weapon

seems to be made due to access of Iran to the American UAV (such as MQ -

1Predator) and Iranian defense industries are prototyping and producing this

weapon.


Fig 62: armed fotros

Fig 63: The Sarir UAV

The Sarir is a two - engine UAV with an unusual appearance made according

to the RQ-5 Hunter. The UAV was represented at the 2013 military parade at the

Iran Khatam Al-Anbia air defense. It has never been officially unveiled, and there

are not details of its characteristics and functionality. In general, the Sarir UAV, has

two engines and its flight endurance is about five to ten hours and has been equipped

with two. Misaq anti-aircraft missile mounting position. According to the low speed


and short range of its missiles, The UAV mission is ، the aerial reconnaissance

missions (after receiving warning from pre - warning radars) on the defensive point

and conflict with enemy cruise missiles and UAV. The operation of this UAV is

similar to Mohajer 4. After showing the UAV, the commander of Khatam Al-Anbia

air defense announced about Hazem 3 UAV whose mission is similar to the Sarir

UAV. No information has ever been made available to the public.

Fig 64: The Mohajer 4 UAV

The Mohajer interceptor drone is a UAV with propeller engine built on the base

of the Mohajer 4 UAV which was unveiled in August 2014. It has been equipped

with two Misaq anti - aircraft missiles, as well as the two - channel electro-optic

targeting system to seek the airborne targets. The UAV, as the name suggests, has

been developed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft or missiles in combat

missions. Using a low - speed propeller operating platform but with greater stability

in the sky (than samples equipped with jet) indicating having a long flight endurance

is the first priority of the UAV


Fig 65: Images of destruction of the target UAV by the Mohajer target drone

The UAV is likely to perform aerial reconnaissance missions ( a circular or

vulture flight pattern ) on the defensive point ( after initial identification of the

attacking missiles by pre - warning radars ) and intercept with enemy cruise missiles

and UAVs .Due to the appearance of the launcher, it seems that the weapon used in

the UAV is Misaq 1 anti-aircraft missile which is a shoulder launch missile with a

range of 5 in which case the use of the Misaq 1 ( instead of Misaq 2 ) may indicate

how old this project is .

Fig 66: The Mohajem 92 UAV


The Mohajem 92 UAV was unveiled on the sidelines of the Army Air Force

exhibition in 2016. The UAV can be built based on the experiences obtained by

employing the Mohajer family and possibly Ababil UAV. The name of this UAV

(means attacker) indicates the type of mission considered for this UAV. In spite of

the two years since the launch of the project, the UAV is not equipped with the

necessary equipment to carry out the assigned mission, which reflects the speed and

progress of the project. As the Hemaseh UAV appeared to be a sample of Fotros

UAV in a smaller scale, this UAV is apparently the smaller sample of the Kaman 12

UAV. Of course, before unveiling the smaller sample named Mohajem 92 which

was indicating the lunch of a project aiming construction of an interceptor drone,

this UAV has been unveiled without any name in the air defense exhibit The

prototype would benefit from the wide LERX, and the site of the engine installation

was in the close to the end rather than the end of the body. With this information we

can say that the UAV hadn’t been a target UAV contrary to what was guessed

Fig 67: The first example observed in the defense exhibit


In the next sample (Mohajem 92) the engine has been shifted to the end of the

body, as well as the radom saliency has been considered in the design.

Fig 68: Mohajem 92

The last example (Kaman 12), which was displayed on the day of unveiling

Akhgar missile. Its size is roughly doubled, and blended winglet has been used at

the end of the wings. This design, in the world, is also related to the recent years. It

was used in the Airbus’s commercial models with Sharklet design in a320 as well as

in the General Atomics military samples to increase the range of MQ-1C ER Gray

Eagle, Predator B ER, and Grey Eagle. The design was apparently used to increase

the flight endurance. This curve shape of the body was first seen among Iranian

UAVs.


Fig 69: Kaman 12

Fig 70: Predator B extended range


Fig 71: Simorgh UAV

On December 4, 2011, it was announced that Iran trapped and achieved an

American plane RQ-170 Sentinel by IRGC. Then the RQ-170 UAV was shown with

an almost healthy appearance by the IRGC aerospace commander. The UAV was

carefully studied and analyzed. Information related to memories and the system

components was extracted. Then the UAV was used for reverse engineering. In the

first step, samples with a scale of 15 and 40 percent of the real size were made and

displayed in order to perform after reverse engineering tests, planning, and

performance analysis. One of the samples was exhibited in the aerospace exhibit

with the American UAV and its full - scale mock-up. It is basically the example of

the radio control version of the Simorgh UAV. It has all the apparent characteristics

of the American UAV. Maybe the published images in October 2014 were related

to the flight of this UAV.


Fig 72: Mockup of Simorgh UAV

Fig 73: Radio control version

Unlike other aircrafts, the engine model of UAV is not exactly known. Due to

restrictions on supplying parts from other countries, it is predicted that the J-85

turbojet engine will be used in the Simorgh UAV. It is also possible to use reverse

engineering for the engine of the UAV.

Finally, the full - scale version of the UAV in the “Turning Threats into

Opportunities" exhibition of IRGC Aerospace Force was showed and its flight

images were presented in the corresponding report.


Fig 74-76: The UAV construction steps

Fig 77: In the “Turning Threats into Opportunities" exhibition


Fig 78-80: Test flights

The Simorgh UAV based on aerodynamic and the RQ-170 structure with a

nonmetal body has been produced. According to the IRGC aerospace commander,

by the end of 2014 four Iranian RQ-170 would be produced and its mass production


program has been proposed by the end of this year. This UAV will be produced in

different sizes.

The Simorgh UAV family in different scales: According to information

published about different types of the Simorgh UAV ، at least four different scales of

the Simorgh UAV have been developed with different operational goals and testing

so far and ،two UAVs models have been developed on a scale 100 percent with a b-

wing span of 13.5 m. so far models of the UAV have been developed in the %60

scale including The Simorgh UAV having the Retractable wheel-type landing gear

and with the reconnaissance mission , the Shahed 171 UAV with the attack mission

and the capability of carrying four Sadid bombs inside the body and having the

Retractable wheel-type landing gear with a b-wing span of 8.1 m

In information published on the Simorgh UAV family, two prototypes of the

Simorgh UAV have been produced, one of them in the scales of 40% with the wing

mouth of 5.4 m and another in the scales of 15 % with the wing mouth of 2m. It

seems that at least one operational product in the scale less than 60% (the exact scale

is not known) has been used.

Fig 81: The Saeghe UAV


Fig 82: The Saeghe UAV with a mini-turbojet engine

Fig 83: The Saeghe UAV with an appearance similar to propeller driven UAVs

The RQ-170, a high altitude and long endurance UAV, is able to conduct

surveillance and reconnaissance. After Iran’s access to the UAV and its inverse

engineering project, a program has been developed for the design of its combat type.

Two models of this UAVs were showed in the “Turning Threats into Opportunities"

exhibition of IRGC Aerospace Force. These UAVs with the name of Saeghe in the

size about half of the RQ 170 UAV (probably at a scale of 40%), which one of them

due to the lack of air input in the front of the UAV, uses a piston-driven engines


turning propellers and the other example of the RQ-170 UAV uses a mini-turbojet

or turbofan engine.

Fig 84: Shahed 191 & Saeqeh in IRIGC drone war game

Fig 85: Shahed 191 dropping Sadid smart bomb


Fig 86: The producing line of Sadid 342 air-to-surface bomb

In spite of the difference in the type of propulsion, these UAVs are similar in

term of size, and both use the Sadid 342 bombs to attack to the desired targets.

Additional details about the components and their function are not available to the

public. And even some of its components, such as the electro-optic targeting site, are

not installed on the exposed UAVs. Which are considered negligible in a prototype

and a product under development! It is also likely to be a mock - up and even

produced to body test.

But there is another possibility. The first possibility is using Saeghe as a low -

cost launcher platform for the Simorgh UAV and other reconnaissance UAVs! This

approach can be used in situations like fighting to terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.


So the problem of distance and long time to return to the base of operations and re -

load will be solved using propulsion jet and with sound speed.

Another possibility is to use cameras beneath the UAV for the target seeking

with regard to the absence of target seeking site in the final helicopter samples of the

Shahed 285, we can also consider such a hypothesis.

It is worth mentioning that for fixed target such as radar sites and air bases,

which are among the main aerospace targets of IRGC, it is not necessary to have

permanent monitoring for targeting, and it can be accomplished only with a

preliminary information, recognition and the finally intercepting and targeting (such

as cruise missiles).

It is to be mentioned that the history of using anti - armor weapons against the

radar sites dates back to the first Persian gulf War that American Apache helicopters

attacked Iraqi radar sites with Hellfire missiles and made the sky safer for other

aircrafts. The Saeghe UAV can have the capability to carry out combat operations

outside the country’s borders, if it has satellite navigation equipment. The UAV '

wings can accommodate the necessary fuel to carry out such missions, as well as its

engine compartment, is capable of fielding engines with the dimensions of the

Toloue mini-jet engine, which provides the appropriate power for the UAV.

Satellite navigation of the Shahed 129 UAV

In the “Eqtedar 40 ‘exhibit a version of the Shahed 129 UAV was showed,

which had a prominence on the forehead which strengthened the suspicion of

satellite navigation. This suspicion converted to the certainty by publishing a video

of this UAV. It is most likely that this version of the Shahed 129 according to the

previous announcement will have a range of 3000 km. But the question is, what

satellite system is used for guidance of this UAV ؟ A few years ago, Mashregh News


reported that Iran had signed a deal with China to use BeiDou system .According to

the deal China will establish a land station to use the system in Iran. And recently,

according to unofficial sources, Iran is using Russian GLONAS to guide “Yasin "

bombs. As a result, it is likely to predict the possibility of using both the Russian

and Chinese systems for guidance of the Shahed 129 UAV.

Fig 87: Shahed 129 with SatCom

Fig 88: Shahed 129 SatCom antenna


Fig 89: unnamed new dual engine drone

In an exhibition a composite dual-engine UAV was featured, which, according to

available information, is the first privately owned and first two-engine UAV of Iran

.

Until now, all Iranian drones were single-engine except for one. Even the largest

Iranian drones, including Fotras and Shahed 129 use a combustion engine like their

foreign counterparts, such as the MQ-1 Predictor and Hermes-450. even Sarir had

a Push-pull configuration not a common tractor dual engine configuration .

This dual-engine Iranian UAV, which is clearly made of carbon composite to have

minimum weight, uses a dual tail shape. This tail shape is a great choice for small

and medium-sized drones in general, with good structural strength and weight. The

two engines of the UAV are mounted on both sides of the fuselage and on the wings.


Fig 90: side view

Fig 91: engin & Satcom


Given that the drone uses a piston engine, the large space behind the engines is likely

to be used to retrieve the landing gear. Some fuel may also be stored in this space.

Also there is no need to overhang the length of the main body of the UAV, resulting

in a relatively short body in the UAV. Also, the configuration of the UAV makes it

possible to have a full 360-degree view of the underside of the UAV if there is optical

or radar detection under the body.

Depending on the wing's dimensions of about 8 meters and being two-engine, the

flight altitude can be estimated at about 7,000 to 8,000 meters, which is a good

altitude for an aircraft identification platform. It is also likely that the UAV's flight

duration should be at least 10 hours.

Fig 92: Pelican VTOL UAV

The Pelican 2 UAV, unveiled this year in the presence of Army Deputy Chief of

Staff Amir Mohammad Mahmoudi and Admiral Hussein Khanzadi is the first

Iranian amphibious drone and capable of patrol and reconnaissance missions. The

UAV has the ability to take off and land vertically.


It appears that the structural configuration of this drone is based on the successful

configuration used in Mohajer drone and mostly mohajer-2. This configuration

includes a short cylindrical body with an engine at the bottom and a Twin Boom, but

the navy`s one differs from the Mohajer-2 in the horizontal tail.

Fig 93: Pelican in vertical takeoff pose

Another aspect of the positive distinction of this drone is its positive buoyancy and

resistance to permeability when landing on the surface of the water, which allows

this case to land and recover in emergency situations without damage. Pelican 2 has

successfully completed its HAT and SAT field tests.


Fig 94: subscale model of Sejjil UCAV

Sejjil is the name of I.R.Navy`s combat jet drone which is very similar to the

Barracuda and Keratos -XQ-58 drones and features stealth technology with a

trapezoidal fuselage with a chined edge, V-shape tail, and an S-duct air inlet to

scatter deflected radar.

The Sejjil UAV uses two jet engines that makes it able to reach 1000km/h speed and

can be flown overboard and retrieved by parachute.

Fig 95: Balaban Iranian small diameter bomb, potential weapon of Sejjil


Fig 96: Saher UAV

Saher UAV was revealed in 2016. This UAV has a flying time of 10 hours and a top

speed of 180 km / h and a flight altitude of 6000 meters.

The main missions of the UAV are photography and monitoring in environmental

missions, fires and traffic. A special place for down looking SAR radar is Located

under the fuselage as well as a SATCOM in the nose.

Military Studies and Analysis Institute | MSAI - M.S.A.I. ALL … · 2019. 12. 16. · MILITARY...

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Transcript of Military Studies and Analysis Institute | MSAI - M.S.A.I. ALL … · 2019. 12. 16. · MILITARY...