Iran’s Sadegh-1 UCAV armed with air-to-air missiles

During this year's Sacred Defense Week, Iran publicly unveiled the Sadegh-1 ("Allegiant-1") unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).

In appearance and layout, Sadegh-1 is similar to the proven, reliable Mohajer-4 ("Migrant-4") reconnaissance UAV, suggesting manufacture by Ghods Aviation Industry.

Armament consists of adapted Misagh ("Covenant") type MANPADS for use in the air-to-air role. Missiles are seen attached under the wings at two hardpoints. Manufacturing of adapted missile system presumed undertaken by Shahid Shah Abhady Industrial Complex.

For specific types of air-to-air encounters, this Iranian UCAV type might be seen as a very low cost solution of sorts, in terms of cost to manufacture, operate and potentially lose due to attrition or hostile fire.

More suiting, perhaps, this specification appears to offer a solution for allied fighting forces in southern Lebanon (possibly even southwest Palestine); forces that have persistently lacked air-to-air fighter capability. Iranian-type UAVs have been deployed in these theaters with varying levels of success, thus a comparatively low cost system represented by the Sadegh might be considered the next logical step, particularly against hostile rotary-wing aircraft.

 

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Photos: Fars News Agency

Fotros UCAV, Iran's 'strategic' drone

Iran today publicly unveiled its Fotros "strategic drone," days before the next round of nuclear negotiations with P5+1

Fotros UCAV is claimed to possess a projected operational radius of 2,000 kilometers, service ceiling of 25,000 feet and 16 to 30 hour endurance.

Rear section of Fotros UCAV exhibiting twin booms and central nacelle design, two-bladed propeller and powerplant's maintenance covers; this example thought to be a prototype.

Front section of Fotros UCAV. 

Frontal overhead view providing sense of scale to Iran's largest unmanned aerial vehicle

Side section exhibiting fitted armament of two Hellfire appearing air-to-surface missiles

View exhibiting presumed antenna dome and ball-mounted camera sensor array

Public unveiling by MODAFL, IRIAA and IRIAF. Iran's Minister of Defense Dehghan (center) stated scientists at Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries, affiliated to Iran's Defense Ministry, have designed and developed the Fotros UCAV. Dehghan identified intended Fotros missions to include “protecting land and sea borders, monitoring oil pipelines, telecommunication lines and road traffic control, monitoring affected areas during earthquakes, blaze and floods, and environment protection." [Source: FARS] The minister appears to have neglected to identify potential offensive operations or deterrent capability, generally considered "strategic" by Iran's military.

Iran TV video still  of unmarked Fotros UCAV, providing underside view

Iran TV video still of Fotros UCAV taxiing, prior to takeoff

  

Iran TV video still of Fotros UCAV in flight

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Photos: IRNA

Video: IRIB NEWS

IRGC Shahed-129 and IRIA Yasir UAVs

IRGC-AF Shahed-129 UCAV

 

Recent public unveiling of Shahed-129 UCAV variant

IRGC-AF Shahed-129 appears similar in size to U.S. MQ-1 Predator

Shahed-129 UCAV appears with a variety of AGMs, these examples fitted on hard points

Shahed-129 sensor ball detail, providing UCAV as a multi-sensor platform

Shahed-129 retractable undercarriage detail

Side view of Shahed-129 with further examples of air-to-ground weaponry. Propeller and spinner appear similar to Parastou-14.

Video still of armed IRGC-AF UCAV in flight

Aircraft type: Shahed-129 UCAV
Operator: IRGC-AF
Operational radius: 1700 km (claimed)
Endurance: 24 hr (claimed)
Service ceiling: 24,000 ft (claimed)
Armament: 8 AGMs or GBUs

Potential deployments: anti-drug operations on Iran eastern border, counter-terror operations in northwest and southeast Iran; potentially exported to allied military forces in Syria, southern Lebanon and (less likely) west Palestine.

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IRIA Yasir UAV

IRIA ground force recently publicized delivery of Yasir UAV

IRIA Yasir UAV on wheeled catapult launcher ramp

Side view of Yasir UAV. Note inward canting tail surfaces inspired by AAI RQ-7 Shadow.

IRIAA captains, possibly Yasir UAV operator/trainers

Aircraft type: Yasir UAV
Operator: IRIA Ground Force
Operational radius: 200 km (claimed)
Endurance: 8 hr (claimed)
Service Ceiling: 15,000 ft (claimed)

Application: Tactical reconnaissance UAV for army ground forces

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Photos: Armin Karami at FARS News Agency, Meghdad Madadi
Video Stills: IRINN
Videos: IRIB News, IRINN