HESA Karrar

HESA Karrar
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin Iran
Manufacturer Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company
First flight 2009
Status in production, not necessarily in service[1]
Primary user Iran
Developed from Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker

The HESA Karrar (Persian: کرار‎, "striker"[2]) is an Iranian unmanned air vehicle (UAV) manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA). It is a derivative of the American 1970s-era Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker UAV, probably incorporating elements from the South African Skua, with hardpoints added for munitions.

Multiple sources report that the Karrar has been exported to Hezbollah;[3][4] it has also been used in the Syrian Civil War.[5] Despite ostensibly being capable of deploying weaponry, there is no evidence the Karrar has conducted a drone strike. It was the first long-range unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured in Iran.[6]

Design

The Karrar can carry one 500 lb Mk 82 general purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles, two Kowsar anti-ship missiles, or two 250 pound general purpose bombs on the underwing stations.[1]

The Karrar can also carry four Kowsar light anti-ship missiles or one Nasr-1 anti-ship missile.[7]

Military experts quickly noted that Karrar bears an obvious resemblance to the US Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker target drone designed in the 1970s and exported to Iran before the Iranian revolution. According to a report from Denel Dynamics, however, the Karrar is not an exact clone as some minor design changes have been made.[8]

Unlike normal UCAVs, which choose a low speed for long loiter time, the Karrar has to bomb targets at high speed since it is derived from a high speed target drone.[9]

The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to take off and is recovered by parachute.[1] It is also claimed to be capable of air launch.[1] Iranian officials have said the aircraft has surveillance capabilities, but the Karrar has no visible EO/IR sensors.[1]

Operational history

The Karrar was unveiled on August 23, 2010, one day after the activation of a nuclear reactor in Bushehr, by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[9]

Operators

Specifications

An artist's drawing of Karrar

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2014-2015[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: none
  • Capacity: 227 kg (500 lb) payload
  • Length: 4 m (13 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Tolloue 5 or Microturbo TR 60-5 turbojet , 4.2–4.4 kN (940–990 lbf) thrust (est.)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 900 km/h (559 mph; 486 kn)
  • Combat range: 500 km; 311 mi (270 nmi)

Armament

  • Hardpoints: 3 with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Missiles:
      2 × Nasr-1
      2 × Kowsar
    • Bombs:
      1 × Mk 82 PGM on centerline
      2 × 250 pound bomb

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Martin Streetly, ed. (2014). Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2014-2015. London: IHS Jane's. p. 80-81. ISBN 978-0710630964.
  2. ↑ "Iran Shows Off Unmanned, Long-Range Bomber". VOA News. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Israel Targets Hezbollah Weaponry in Syria". worldview.stratfor.com. Dec 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ Hassan Abbas (24 November 2010). "Is Lebanon's Hezbollah Equipped with New Iranian Drones?". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Mona Alami (9 February 2017). "Hezbollah's war in Aleppo: Victory at any cost, even to civilians". Middle East Eye.
  6. ↑ Daragahi, Borzou (August 23, 2010). "Iran Reveals its Own Drone". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Iran Unveils Domestically Produced Bomber Drone". Defense News. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  8. ↑ Keith Campbell. "New Iranian unmanned warplane not a SA copy, except, maybe, for the tailplane". Engineering News. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  9. 1 2 Vogelaar, Rob (August 22, 2010). "ran Unveils New Karar Bomber Drone". Aviation News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
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