Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane

AP | By NASSER KARIMI

[Pukin Dog]

Iran unveiled its first locally manufactured fighter plane Wednesday during large-scale military exercises, state-run television reported.

The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful." It also said the plane was "designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts."

State TV said the Iranian air force had commissioned the Saegheh plane after many test flights in the past year.

Television footage showed the airplane taking off and launching two rockets. The plane had a small cockpit and only one pilot.

"Saegheh is capable of launching both rockets and bombs," the report said.

General Karim Ghavami, commander of Iran's air force, told state-run television that the war games were being held "to show the trans-regional forces that we are ready to defend our country up to the latest drop of our blood."

The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan at a time when the international community has threatened to impose sanctions against Tehran because of its disputed nuclear program.

During the war-games, which began Aug. 19 and have been dubbed "The Blow of Zolfaghar," Iran has test-fired short-range, surface-to-surface missiles, submarine-to-surface missiles, a new air defense system and laser bombs.

Iran's military also test-fired a series of missiles during war games in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including a missile it claimed was undetectable by radar and could use multiple warheads to hit several targets simultaneously.

After decades of relying on foreign weapons purchases, Iran now says it is increasingly self-sufficient, claiming it annually exports more than $100 million worth of military equipment to more than 50 countries.

Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers and missiles, the government said. It announced in early 2005 that it had begun producing torpedoes. The government has not said how many warplanes it will build.

[Pukin Dog]

If you have not seen footage of this joke of an airplane, the Iranians took an american F-5 and slapped twin vertical stabs on it. There appears to be no change to engine inlets or cans, so no added power, no change in CG or drag, so no need for twin stabs to increase direction stability under high alpha conditions. In short, it is a propaganda aircraft, which would be eaten up by an F-18 in short order. What is noteworthy is the lenghts that these people will go to try to show the world that they can resist an attack by the U.S. These are the same bozos who could not defeat the famous Republican Guard in Iraq. That same Republican Guard that the U.S. wiped out in less than a week.

My guess is that "Saegheh" is the Iranian translation for "Oh $hit", the sound that enemy pilots always make when they see that first AIM-120 coming their way.

[NordP]

"...The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful." It also said the plane was "designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts...."

IN YOUR DREAMS!

[neodad]

They remind me of the old Soviet roll outs of new equipment, and the MSM would eat them up and question all of the U.S. capability and technology.

[JerseyHighlander]

Got a link where we can see this prop?

[SAJ]

... "designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts."

And featuring the all-new ''turban-up'' instrumentation, no doubt.

Iranian aeronautical design experts? Mathematicians call that an 'empty set'.

[1rudeboy]

Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane Target Drone

There, fixed it.

[NordP]

As I was saying....

No comparison!

[gridlock]

We usually don't put pilots in our target drones, but different strokes for different folks!

[lormand]

The only thing stopping one of these from knocking out the entire air arsenal of Iran, is how many missles it can hold at one time.

The Iranians would be bringing a purse to a gun battle.

[hgro]

The Iranians can't find their butts with both hands and they can design and build a competitive jet - no way.

[gridlock]

As I was saying... No comparison!

And we obsoleted that one!

[lormand]

"We usually don't put pilots in our target drones..."

Good one!

[sportsterinred]

defend our country up to the latest drop of our blood." Maybe the Jews will take them up on that.

[skinkinthegrass]

My guess is that "Saegheh" is the Iranian translation for "Oh $hit", the sound that enemy pilots always make when they see that first AIM-120 coming their way......LOL! :D

[Henchster]

..Iran now says it is increasingly self-sufficient, claiming it annually exports more than $100 million worth of military equipment to more than 50 countries.

Reason enough to nuke their terrorist @$$.

[LexBaird]

The plane had a small cockpit and only one pilot.

Then, it's a good thing all their pilots have small cocks.

[NordP]

Good to know - I just googled a pic of an F-18 and found that pic.

WE RULE!!!

[NMR Guy]

The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "hits the ground more powerfully" when it is shot down.

[gridlock]

FRESH MEAT!

[JerseyDvl]

All this and they just announced a cure to AIDS!
This country just keeps getting better and better.
After Cuba, I believe it qualifies as a second paradise on Earth!