Ok, now all the disappointment aside, let's analyse it:
1: The IRIAF SSJ has concentrated on modern avionics subsystems in this phase after the copying of the J-85 was mastered.
2: Modern avionics is important. Next steps would be to build upon the J-85 and go for RD-33. Develop a PESA/AESA radar and then of course a new aerodynamic air frame design that can use the new engine and larger radar. Having mastered the avionics can be used almost without modifications on any higher performance aircraft such as the Qaher-313.
New avionics include:
Glass cockpit
TACAN navigation
Laser gyro INS navigation
A SVP-24 Gefest like ballistic computer/sensor suite (very important)
Plus all the other items, the black boxes such as air data computer, RWR etc.
All that in its near-state-of-the art form is one of the foundations for any advanced aircraft project and needs to be mastered first. Of course a new radar would make the avionics package complete, but the F-5 is so small that it lacks the nose antenna space for any serious radar.
Several year long testing of the Owj J-85 and the new avionics will prepare the industry for the next steps.
I'm not a friend of conventional airpower for Iran, it's not cost effective. In hence I'm fine with their budget being put into mastering avionics for now and not wasting it on a expensive 3rd-4th gen fighter design. Either something completely asymmetrical like the Qaher-313 or just sitting and learning until a RD-33 equivalent or better is mastered.
Avionics --> engines and the radar can be mastered easily with Irans radar capabilities.
PGMs, AAMs and targeting pods have also been mastered.
If this Kowsar is 90% made in Iran and production line can be set up, it is quite an achievement or which other countries can produce aircraft fully by themselves?
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