HESA F-5E Saeghe in Asia Minor II camouflage scheme

During the run-up to the 2015 Iran Military Day, imagery of another IRIAF Saeghe has turned up in Asia Minor II upper-surfaces camouflage scheme. This aircraft  is Northrup (HESA) F-5E Saeghe, serial 3-7369 (cn S110-004).

Photographed by S. Tabib on 09APR15 at Tehran/Mehrabad TFB-1, this Saeghe fighter-bomber also appears currently assigned to 23rd TFS at Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TFB-2.

Saeghe serial 3-7369 as it appeared in its original demonstrators colors during an airshow on 04FEB15 at Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TFB-2 [photo: Sina Atefi Pour]

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IRIAF Northrup (Owj) F-5E Saeghe in Asia Minor II camouflage scheme

IRIAF F-5E Saeghe in Asia Minor II camouflage scheme

IRIAF Northrop (Owj) F-5E Saeghe fighter aircraft seen in photo posted 13APR15 at Mashregh News. Evident is newly applied Asia Minor II upper-surfaces camouflage scheme, finally replacing previous blue/gold demonstrator colors.

According to aviation writer Babak Taghvaee, all IRIAF F-5E Saeghe aircraft have recently been painted in Asia Minor II colors; with a formation flyby planned for this week's Iran Military Day, led by the IRIAF F-5F Saeghe II.

Saeghe serial 3-7367 / S110-002 (cn S110-002) was second F-5E type originally modified at Owj Industries. Aircraft appears currently assigned to 23rd TFS at Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TFB-2.

IRIAF Northrop (Owj) F-5E Saeghe, serial 3-7367 as it appeared in August 2009 in blue/gold demonstrator colors  

[photo: Farzad Farajpour]

IRIAF Northrop (Owj) F-5E Saeghe, serial 3-7367 with blue/gold paint appearing noticeably faded at 2013 Dezful Air Show 

[photo: Hasib Noeie Oskuyi]

Public debut of IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II

On 09FEB15, Iran publicly unveiled the IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II ("Thunderbolt II") two-seater fighter-bomber and advanced trainer, serial 3-7182.

IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II reportedly features new NAVAIDS and Iranian variant of NPP Zvezda K-36 type  ejection seat. There are also rumors the aircraft's flight deck incorporates electronic (digital) instrument displays.

Overall finish of refurbished, modified Northrop F-5F Tiger II appears to meet relatively high standards. This unit also appears to be the first Saeghe aircraft to do away with demonstration colors in favor of the three-tone Asia Minor type camouflage pattern, more befitting of tactical combat aviation.

Frontal view of IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II fitted with 2× wing-tip AAM launch rails and 4× under-wing pylon stations

IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II fighter-bomber/advanced trainer in flight

Vertical stabilizer of IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II, serial 3-7182 indicates marking of Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TAB-2; this aircraft likely joining existing IRIAF F-5E Saeghe I single-seat fighters of 23rd TFS.

Video still of IRIAF HESA F-5F Saeghe II fitted with centerline drop tank and what appear to be AAM training rounds attached to the inner under-wing pylon stations (and not the wing-tip AAM launch rails).

COMMENTARY: According to aviation writer Babak Taghvaee, this Saeghe II was built from a 21OCT00 accident-damaged F-5F from Dezful/Shahid Vahdati TAB-4. Subsequently, the airframe was at times relegated to parts reclamation as well as restoration, before the fuselage was finally shipped to Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) to be used as the basis for the Saeghe II. Taghvaee goes on to state that Project Saeghe 80 and 90 remain active, with current Saeghe aircraft envisioned for upgrade to SR.II level, and the entire fleet of IRIAF F-5 aircraft converted to Saeghe types by 2030. If accurate, Iran's military leadership would be basing its plans for a maintaining of the status quo, where the IRIAF continues to be denied access to new deliveries of foreign import combat aircrtaft.

VIDEO:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

IRIAF commander of Isfahan/Shahid Baba'ie TAB-8

 

On 07FEB15 Fars News interviewed IRIAF Brig. Gen. 2C Massoud Rouzkhosh, commander of Isfahan/Shahid Baba'ie TAB-8.

During the interview, Rouzkhosh referred to the successful fitting and firing of an indigenously manufactured missile type on an overhauled IRIAF Chengdu F-7 Airguard (possibly attached to 85th TFS). He further stated: "When we bought the F7 fighters, they suffered operational and tactical weaknesses and now our experts have removed these weaknesses by the help of their experiences in [overhauling] other fighters."

Rouzkhosh's flight suit patches offer interesting details. On his right is seen a round patch bearing a tiger with the inscriptions "AGGRESSOR" and "TIGER II F-5," suggestive of a past or present Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) instructor. On his upper right sleeve is seen a triangular patch bearing the likeness of a Northrop F-5.

IRIAF Northrop (HESA) F-5E Saeghe documentary - Persian

Documentary on Iran's HESA Saeghe military aircraft project. In some ways, documentary is styled similar to that of the "Wings of Russia" series. 

The Saeghe project appears to have originated as a means of circumventing Northrop's ownership of the F-5 design. However the project has apparently shown disappointing results, with at least one example reportedly reverting to a number of Northrop's original specifications. To date, a HESA Saeghe has yet to publicly shed its flashy demonstrator colors for those of a true combat aircraft, and in more recent publicized maneuvers the aircraft is outfitted as an attack aircraft, not a fighter.

The video's depicted aircraft industry more closely resembles that of an aircraft serial refurbishment facility than it does an actual aircraft manufacturing plant..

Iran F-5 Fighter Crashes

Killing Both Crew

An Iranian F-5 fighter jet crashed today after hitting Filman Mountain in the western province of Ilam, killing both crewmembers, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported. The pilots were attached to the Fourth Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Dezful AFB. But the officials have not yet identified them by name or rank.

Iran's air force retains an aging fleet, including F-5s and some other aircraft purchased before the 1979 Islamic revolution. In January 2012, an F-14 fighter crashed minutes after takeoff, also killing both crew.

File photo: Lineup of Northrop F-5F Tiger II aircraft in use since the mid-1970s. Dezful Air Show, March 2013 (IRNA)

Mehrabad AFB Overhaul Facilities (pictorial)

IRIAF F-4 Phantom II

(click photos to enlarge)

IRIAF MiG-29 Fulcrum

IRIAF F-5 Tiger II/Freedom Fighter (Simorgh)

Photos: Mahdi Marizad at FARS News Agency