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Unmanned successes: Iranian developments in the field of UAVs

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Light UAV Yasir

For a long time, the Iranian aviation industry has been actively involved in the topic of unmanned aerial vehicles. Dozens of types of such equipment with different capabilities and tasks are being developed, produced and operated. Due to this, Iran managed to cover the needs of its armed forces, as well as enter the international market.

Forced measures

Despite the well-known problems, restrictions and opposition of foreign states, Iran has managed to create its own defense industry, which has all the necessary industries. In particular, Tehran has its own aircraft industry. Various enterprises from its composition are capable of repairing and modernizing existing equipment, as well as developing and building relatively certain types of aircraft.

For a number of reasons, incl. due to the impossibility of building full-fledged combat aircraft, it was decided to focus on the creation and development of unmanned aerial systems. Work in this direction began in the mid-eighties, and over the next decade, deliveries of finished equipment of the first models started.

Launch of Ababil-2 UAV during exercises

As part of the Iranian aviation industry, there are several scientific and technical organizations, a number of aircraft building and aircraft repair plants, as well as a large number of related enterprises producing various components. Almost all enterprises in this industry are involved in the development and production of UAVs in one way or another.

Unmanned systems are coming into service with all major structures and services. They are widespread both in the armed forces and in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Their UAVs are part of the army aviation, the air force and the navy. Some drones are supplied to several customers at once, while others are designed according to the requirements of a particular structure.

Gaining experience

In the distant past, the Iranian aviation industry began with simple light-class unmanned systems. In the future, projects of other classes and directions were created. As a result, by now it has been possible to launch the production of a full range of UAVs of all main classes, from light tactical reconnaissance vehicles to heavy reconnaissance and strike systems. Also in recent years, loitering ammunition of various types has been mass-produced.

Reconnaissance Ababil-3

Such progress was based on a modern component base, new technologies, developments, etc. Some of the ideas and technologies were created by Iran independently, as new projects were developed. Iran managed to get other solutions and components from abroad. In particular, it is known about active cooperation with China, which had the necessary products and ideas.

It should be noted that the Iranian industry carefully monitors foreign projects and adopts the most successful solutions. In addition, Iran is looking for and finding opportunities to obtain real samples of foreign production for deeper study. Some of the foreign UAVs were even copied, probably with some changes and taking into account their own needs.

To date, in technological and conceptual terms, Iran has taken a leading position in the world. Now he not only develops well-known and borrowed concepts, but also creates his own. In particular, in the recent past, the first wide-body reconnaissance and strike UAV was presented.

Mohajer-4 is one of the last members of its family

Intelligence tasks

For obvious reasons, the most widespread, both in terms of the number of types and the number of serial products, are light and medium-sized UAVs capable of conducting reconnaissance at a distance of up to tens of kilometers. Complexes of this kind are operated in almost all branches of the armed forces for observation, target designation and fire adjustment.

Yasir has become one of the most massive UAVs of this class to date. According to various sources, the troops have at least several hundred such devices. It is believed that this product was developed on the basis of the intercepted American Boeing ScanEagle, but noticeable differences indicate, at a minimum, a serious redesign of the design. "Yasir" is a device with a wingspan of 3 m and a mass of 19 kg. It starts from the launch guide and can remain in the air for more than 8 hours. An Iranian-designed optical-electronic station is used as a target load.

Of great interest is the Ababil family of medium-sized UAVs, which has been developing since the mid-eighties. It currently includes three main models and several of their modifications. The first devices were built according to the "duck" scheme and had a wing span of more than 3 m; takeoff weight - more than 80 kg. The Ababil-3 product was built according to the normal scheme with two tail booms. UAVs of the family are able to move at least 100-150 km from the starting point and stay in the air for 2 hours. The payload is a UES with real-time data transmission.

Sadid-345 bombs against the background of heavy UAVs Shahed-121 and Shahed-129

Outwardly and according to the main characteristics, the Ababil-3 UAVs are similar to the devices of the Mohajer family. The first samples of this line are capable of performing only reconnaissance, and later experiments began with the installation of weapons. For example, a fighter drone with a pair of MANPADS under the wing was demonstrated.

In a percussion role

In 2017, Iran introduced the Mohajer-6 UAV. For the first time in its family, this device received full-fledged shock capabilities. With its own weight of 600 kg, it carries a 100 kg payload. It may include Almas guided missiles or Qaem bombs. To date, according to various sources, Mohajer-6 UAVs have been built in the amount of approx. 180-200 units

Since 2012-13 the heavy reconnaissance and strike UAV Shahed-129 is in service. This is a full-fledged piston aircraft with a 16th wing and a payload of 400 kg. Up to four weapons of the required type can be placed on pylons under the wing.

Of great interest are the Shahed Saegheh and Shahed 171 devices. They were created based on the results of a study of a recovered American UAV and are distinguished by their characteristic appearance. These are inconspicuous "flying wings" of large span and takeoff weight, equipped with OES. According to various estimates, they can also carry weapons.

Stealthy Shahed-171

Last year, for the first time, the Kaman-22 product was presented - the second UAV of its family and the first Iranian wide-body drone. Outwardly, it is similar to some other samples of its class, but differs in a large outboard unit under the fuselage. Such a UAV can stay in the air for a day and carry up to 300 kg of weapons. It was reported that new guided missiles and bombs were developed for Kaman.

Loitering ammunition is also being developed, such as Raad-85, etc. These are light and medium-class UAVs equipped with simplified OES and carrying high-explosive warheads weighing several kilograms.

On a commercial basis

The Iranian industry is successfully fulfilling the orders of its armed forces and the IRGC, and at the same time selling UAVs to third countries. According to various estimates, as part of all past orders, Iran has shipped several hundred drones of a number of basic models. Also, new orders appear and are fulfilled.

Iran has found a curious market sector for itself: the demand for its products is determined not only by technical factors, but also by politics or economics. Iranian UAVs are bought by small and poor countries that cannot afford more expensive equipment from other suppliers. In addition, "non-democratic states" become Iran's clients, which do not have to rely on supplies from the US, Israel, etc.

The next representative of the stealth family is Shahed-191

As a result, Iranian drones serve in Venezuela, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc. Deliveries have been made to non-state groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah or Ansar Allah. Some countries have acquired not only finished equipment, but also a license for its production. For example, Tajikistan is assembling its Ababil-4 UAVs, and Venezuela is launching the production of Mohajer-6.

Last news

A few days ago, Washington announced that Russia was showing interest in Iranian UAVs, and hundreds of such products could be delivered in the near future. Iran and Russia denied this information. In Russian-Iranian military-technical cooperation, our country plays the role of a supplier.

However, the acquisition of Iranian technology could be useful for Russian industry and the army. Iran is actively developing the unmanned direction and regularly shows new successes. Perhaps, in his projects there are curious features and solutions that should be studied by our specialists. In addition, with the help of Iranian "Shaheds" or "Mohajers" it would be possible to temporarily close the need for heavy reconnaissance and strike systems.

Promising UAV Kaman-22 with an enlarged fuselage

It is likely that such international cooperation may also be of interest to Iran. He could get access to some Russian developments in the field of avionics, weapons and various technologies for the further development of the UAV. However, Moscow and Tehran have already denied reports of possible deliveries of equipment. Cooperation in this area is also questionable.

Achievements and prospects

Thus, in recent decades, Iran has made outstanding progress in the field of unmanned aircraft. On his own and with the help of third countries, not always mutually beneficial, he managed to build a full-fledged industry that regularly issues new designs and launches their production. As a result, Iran managed to meet its needs for UAVs and enter the world market.

Apparently, the trends observed now will continue in the future. Iran will continue to develop new UAVs, produce them for its own needs and sell them abroad. Perhaps he will be able to expand sales markets and improve his position among the manufacturers of such equipment. In general, the current situation in the field of drones gives Tehran something to be proud of and reason to be optimistic – especially against the backdrop of past and current problems.

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