HESA Shahed 285

HESA Shahed 285 (Persian: شاهد ۲۸۵‎) is a light attack/reconnaissance helicopter developed in Iran. It was unveiled on 24 May 2009. It is being produced in two versions: a light attack/recon version and a maritime patrol/anti-ship version.

Shahed 285
Shahed 285 of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Air Force (2010)
Role light attack/reconnaissance helicopter
Manufacturer HESA
Designer Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center
First flight 2009
Introduction Iran
Primary user Iran
Developed from Bell 206 & Panha Shabaviz 2061

Design and development

The Shahed 285 is based on the composite Shahed-278, which is a relatively light helicopter with 682 kg empty weight, derived from the Bell 206 Jetranger. Compared to the American OH-58 Kiowa which retains the airframe of the Bell 206, the Shahed 285 is a single-seater with a narrower fuselage, but retains the tail and powerplant / rotor structures, and is intended for military use. Although designed by the IRGC, this helicopter is scheduled to be produced by HESA.[1]

Shahed 285 comes in two variants. AH-85A which is a land based variant and AH-85C which is a naval one. AH-85A is armed with 14 2.75 inch rockets and a PKMT light machine gun either on a rotatable turret or on a static mount, or an NSV heavy machine gun in an underfuselage gondola (latest version). It also uses an EO/IR camera on its top.

Instead of the machine gun, AH-85C has a search and track radar on its chin to find and track enemy ships. Its range is estimated between 30–40 km. It either uses two Kowsar or eight Sadid-1 anti-ship missiles. To fire these missiles, AH-85C relies on a Multi-function display in its cockpit.[2]

Specifications (Shahed 285 / AH-58A)

Data from [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 11.84 m (38 ft 10 in)
  • Width: 2.78 m (9 ft 1 in) (fuselage)
  • Height: 3.47 m (11 ft 5 in)
  • Empty weight: 820 kg (1,808 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,450 kg (3,197 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20J turboshaft, 310 kW (420 shp)
  • Main rotor diameter: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Range: 875 km (544 mi, 472 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,160 m (13,650 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 7.6 m/s (1,500 ft/min)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x PKMT light machine gun in an aimable turret
  • Rockets: 14x 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets

See also

References
  1. http://www.acig.org
  2. Mashreghnews
  3. Mashreghnews
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