| Karrar | |
|---|---|
| An artist's drawing of Karrar | |
| Role | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| First flight | 2009 |
| Introduction | August 2010[1] |
| Primary user | Iran |
| Produced | Defense industry of Iran |
Karrar (Persian: کرار karrār, "striker",[2] nickname of Ali, Cousin and Son-in-Law of Muhammad, the Fourth and Last of the Rashidun of the Sunni, and the first Imam of the Shi'a,[3]) is an unmanned combat air vehicle produced for the military of Iran. According to reports, the UCAV can bomb targets at high speed.[3] It is the first long-range unmanned aerial drone manufactured in Iran.[4]
Unveiling[]
The long-range drone was unveiled on August 23, 2010 - one day after the activation of the nuclear reactor in Bushehr. Television footage showed the president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad applauding as a blue cloth was pulled back to reveal a short aircraft, painted in military-green with the words Bomber jet on its side. The ceremony was held in a hall of Tehran's Malek Ashtar University.[3] Later, the President Ahmadinejad stated, "This jet is a messenger of honour and human generosity and a saviour of mankind, before being a messenger of death for enemies of mankind."[5]
Specifications[]
 Karrar UCAV during its test flight | |
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Another view of Karrar UCAV test flight | |
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Karrar UCAV inauguration ceremony | |
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Karrar UCAV |
External imagesIranian state TV said the Karrar has a range of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) and could carry two 115 kilograms (254 lb) bombs, or a precision-guided munition of 227 kilograms (500 lb).[5] The Karrar can also carry four Kowsar light anti-ship missiles or one Nasr-1 anti-ship missile.[6] The Karrar unmanned combat air vehicle is 4 metres (13 ft) long,[7][8] and is powered by a turbojet engine, giving a top speed of 900 kilometres per hour (560 mph).[9] The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to assist in take off and is recovered by parachute.
Resemblance[]
According to some western military analysis, the Karrar bears a striking resemblance to the MQM-107 target drone designed in 1970s. According to a report from Denel Dynamics, however, the UCAV has significant design differences including the tailplane.[10]
General characteristics
- Length: ()
- Wingspan: ()
- Height: ()
- Powerplant: 1 × Toloue-4 or Toloue-5 non afterburner turbojet, 3.7 kN / 4.4 kN ()
Performance
- Maximum speed: ~900 km/h[11]
- Combat radius: 1000 km / (400 km when fully loaded) ()
- Endurance: ~1 hours fully loaded
Armament
- Hardpoints: 5 in total (4× under-wing, 1× under-fuselage)
- Missiles:
- Bombs: One 1000lb or two 500lb bomb(s)
See also[]
- Shahed 129
- Unmanned combat air vehicle
- List of military equipment manufactured in Iran
- General Atomics Avenger
- Galileo Mirach 150
- Tupolev Tu-300
- Alenia Aeronautica Sky-X
- WZ-2000
References[]
- ↑ "Iran unveils ‘Epic’ new drone". Russia Today. 10 May 2013. http://rt.com/news/iran-unveils-epic-drone-076/. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ "Iran Shows Off Unmanned, Long-Range Bomber". VOA News. 22 August 2010. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Iran-Shows-Off-Unmanned-Long-Range-Bomber-101251954.html. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vogelaar, Rob (August 22, 2010). "Iran Unveils New Karar Bomber Drone". Aviation News. http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/08/22/iran-unveils-new-karar-bomber-drone/. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ↑ Daragahi, Borzou (August 23, 2010). "Iran Reveals its Own Drone". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/world/iran-reveals-its-own-drone-20100822-13ati.html. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Iran unveils first bomber drone". BBC News. 22 August 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11052023. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
- ↑ "Iran Unveils Domestically Produced Bomber Drone". Defense News. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4753618&c=MID&s=AIR. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ↑ Iran unveils 'unmanned bomber', Aljezeera
- ↑ "Iran unveils 'ambassador of death' bomber - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - Iran - msnbc.com". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38804551/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/?gt1=43001. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ↑ The Associated Press (August 22, 2010). "CBC News - World - Iran unveils its own drone aircraft". Cbc.ca. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/08/22/iran-drone.html. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ↑ Keith Campbell. "New Iranian unmanned warplane not a SA copy, except, maybe, for the tailplane". Engineering News. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-iranian-unmanned-warplane-not-a-copy-of-sa-design-except-maybe-for-the-tailplane-2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ↑ Hamshahri Online
External links[]
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The original article can be found at Karrar (UCAV) and the edit history here.