Shahed 129

Schahed 129 (Persian شاهد 129, German: "Eyewitness ") is the first Iranian air assault capable unmanned aircraft (English: Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, UCAV ) and was introduced to the public in September 2012. It was in September 2013 at the Air Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (Islamic Revolutionary Space and Air Force; IRSAF ) put into service.

History

The development of unmanned aircraft in Iran began in 2007 by the replica of Wankel engines. The research and development and the production of different parts was carried out by the Malek Ashtar University, and the defense contractors Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center ( SAIRC ) under the control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The final assembly is performed by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company ( HESA ).

Construction

After Iranian information it is able to perform reconnaissance and combat missions with a service life of 24 hours. The Schahed 129 has a range of 1700 km and a height of around 9144 meters use and is therefore classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance ( MALE ). For arming the Schahed 129 can be equipped with eight anti-ship missiles of the type Sadid -1. The Enlightenment radius is up to 200 km. Military experts estimate the span of 16 meters and the length to around 8 meters. The Schahed 129 is similar in configuration while the British UAV Watchkeeper WK450 and the design of the comparison, smaller Israeli Elbit Hermes 450