avia.wikisort.org - Aeroplane

The Shahed 149 Gaza (Persian: پهپاد غزه) or (Persian: شاهد ۱۴۹),[3] is an Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It was unveiled on 21 May 2021 and named after the Gaza Strip in honor of the Palestinians' struggle against Israel amid the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.[4][5][6] It was delivered to the IRGC Aerospace Force in 2022.[7][1]

Gaza (Shahed-149)
Role	Unmanned combat aerial vehicle Type of aircraft
National origin	Iran
Manufacturer	HESA
Design group	Shahed Aviation Industries
Introduction	April 2022[1]
Status	Active
Primary user	Iran
Produced	3 as of April 2022
Developed from	Shahed 129[2]

The Gaza drone is a high-altitude long-endurance UAV similar in size, shape and role to the American MQ-9 Reaper.[7][8] It is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than the earlier Shahed 129 which was similar to the MQ-1 Predator.[7] It has a flight duration of 35 hours, a range of 2,000 km (1,200 miles), 21m wingspan, 350 km/h cruise speed and is capable of carrying 13 bombs and 500 kg of electronic equipment.[4][9][10] It is the first Iranian UAV powered by a turboprop engine.[3]

History

On Feb 23, 2020 a defense reporter for Tasnim News posted on Twitter that Iran was developing a drone called "Shahed 149". This is the first mention of the drone.[11]

The drone was unveiled in May 2021.[1]

The drone passed its flight tests in April 2022 and was accepted for service the same month.[1]

Specifications

Data from [12][13][7][9][8]

General characteristics

• Crew: none
• Capacity: 13 bombs and 500 kg of electronic equipment
• Length: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
• Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
• Powerplant: 1 × turboprop, 650 to 750 hp (estimation)
• Propellers: 4-bladed

Performance

• Cruise speed: 350 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
• Range: 7,000 km (4,300 mi, 3,800 nmi)
• Endurance: 35h
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (35,000 ft)

Armament

• Bombs: 13 bombs, internal atrium and rotating arm release device

Avionics

• Electro-optical/infrared sensors, including:
  • Day-vision camera with a zoom power of at least 100 to 120 times
  • Thermal imager camera
  • Laser rangefinder
• Environmental monitoring within a radius of 500 km
• Stealth aircraft detection up to a radius of 500 km
• Satellite communication antenna

See also

• Defense industry of Iran

Related development

• Shahed 121
• Shahed 129

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• MQ-9 Reaper
• BAE Systems Mantis
• CAIG Wing Loong II
• IAI Eitan

Related lists

• List of military equipment manufactured in Iran
• List of unmanned aerial vehicles

References

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