Aspahbod
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Some random facts:
It appears that most (about 3/4) of our drones are operated by IRGC. Karrar and Shahed-129 are not designed for army at all.
The numbers are also interesting.
There were at least 400 Mohajer-2 and Ababil produced as of 2004-5. But only 40-50 Mohajer-4, which was our first medium range UAV.
There has been a project called Mohajer-4B that should have been finished by 2005. I think that it is the version with a different engine. I don't remember the designation but it could produce 50hp. This new engine was more efficient and probably is the reason we have two different values for the endurance of Mohajer-4.
There is a Mohajer-2 with improved range (100 km). Designation unknown.
Oddly enough, Venezuela chose Mohajer-2 over the more sophisticated, more capable Mohajer-4. This could be because of the price (Look at the difference between numbers of Mohajer-2 and 4 in our service) and the fact that Venezuela wants to manufacture the drones itself. They chose the simpler one so they'll be able to progress in the field before going for something more advanced.
At least, some of the engines for these UAVs are produced by PANHA. I know. It is rather unusual for a Helicopter support and overhaul company to produce piston engines but maybe PANHA is going to diversify its area of service.
Karrar comes in two versions. A high speed target drone (which was used to test Raad) and an unmanned strike aircraft. The most challenging part of the project was to design an autopilot system for the aircraft. Funny part is that this system can be used in a land attack cruise missile. Karrar itself, can theoretically be converted into a cruise missile with the range of 800km.
It is almost certain that Karrar uses Tolue-5. Because the lifetime of Tolue-4 is only 20 hours. While it is more than enough for an anti-ship missile, it is too low for a USV.
There is/was a Mohajer-5 project. Maybe the result was one of those new drones we saw in summer. Probably the one with two variants (skid/landing gear). Only 5% of it's development was finished as of 2005.
We have a small turbofan engine program for UAVs. My own assumption is that it is somehow related to Sofreh Mahi.
Most of the engines for these UAVs are produced by SAHA, electronic systems by SAIRAN, cameras by Shiraz Optic Industries and fuselage and the final assembly are done by Qods Aerospace Industries. But there are some exceptions: Ababil was assembled in HESA. Shahed-129 was reverse engineered by Shahed Research Group (Again something unusual, given that it is the helicopter research wing of IRGC) and as I said, some of the engines are made by PANHA.
It appears that most (about 3/4) of our drones are operated by IRGC. Karrar and Shahed-129 are not designed for army at all.
The numbers are also interesting.
There were at least 400 Mohajer-2 and Ababil produced as of 2004-5. But only 40-50 Mohajer-4, which was our first medium range UAV.
There has been a project called Mohajer-4B that should have been finished by 2005. I think that it is the version with a different engine. I don't remember the designation but it could produce 50hp. This new engine was more efficient and probably is the reason we have two different values for the endurance of Mohajer-4.
There is a Mohajer-2 with improved range (100 km). Designation unknown.
Oddly enough, Venezuela chose Mohajer-2 over the more sophisticated, more capable Mohajer-4. This could be because of the price (Look at the difference between numbers of Mohajer-2 and 4 in our service) and the fact that Venezuela wants to manufacture the drones itself. They chose the simpler one so they'll be able to progress in the field before going for something more advanced.
At least, some of the engines for these UAVs are produced by PANHA. I know. It is rather unusual for a Helicopter support and overhaul company to produce piston engines but maybe PANHA is going to diversify its area of service.
Karrar comes in two versions. A high speed target drone (which was used to test Raad) and an unmanned strike aircraft. The most challenging part of the project was to design an autopilot system for the aircraft. Funny part is that this system can be used in a land attack cruise missile. Karrar itself, can theoretically be converted into a cruise missile with the range of 800km.
It is almost certain that Karrar uses Tolue-5. Because the lifetime of Tolue-4 is only 20 hours. While it is more than enough for an anti-ship missile, it is too low for a USV.
There is/was a Mohajer-5 project. Maybe the result was one of those new drones we saw in summer. Probably the one with two variants (skid/landing gear). Only 5% of it's development was finished as of 2005.
We have a small turbofan engine program for UAVs. My own assumption is that it is somehow related to Sofreh Mahi.
Most of the engines for these UAVs are produced by SAHA, electronic systems by SAIRAN, cameras by Shiraz Optic Industries and fuselage and the final assembly are done by Qods Aerospace Industries. But there are some exceptions: Ababil was assembled in HESA. Shahed-129 was reverse engineered by Shahed Research Group (Again something unusual, given that it is the helicopter research wing of IRGC) and as I said, some of the engines are made by PANHA.
