| Shahed 149 Gaza | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rear view of a Shahed 149 Gaza | |
| General information | |
| Type | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | Iran |
| Manufacturer | HESA |
| Designer | Shahed Aviation Industries |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force,Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 3 as of April 2022 |
| Introduction date | April 2022[1] |
| Developed from | Shahed 129[2] |
TheShahed 149 Gaza (Persian:پهپاد غزه orشاهد ۱۴۹),[3] is an Iranianunmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) operated by theIranian Revolutionary Guard. It was unveiled on 21 May 2021 and named after theGaza Strip in honor of thePalestinians' struggle againstIsrael amid the2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.[4][5][6] It was delivered to theIRGC Aerospace Force in 2022.[7][1]
The Gaza drone is a high-altitude long-endurance UAV similar in appearance and role to the AmericanMQ-9 Reaper.[7][8] It is larger and heavier than the earlierShahed 129 and claimed to more capable than its predecessor, which was similar to theMQ-1 Predator.[7] It has a flight duration of 24 hours, a maximum operating radius of 2,500km (1,562 miles), 21m wingspan, 340 km/h maximum 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 aturboprop engine.[3]
On February 23, 2020, a defense reporter forTasnim 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 itsflight tests in April 2022 and was accepted for service the same month.[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
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