A question for Iranians something I always wondered

[Mosamania]

Before the 1979 revolution the US delivered 1 or 2 F-16s to Iran:

So my Question is:
Why the inferior F-5 is made into Saeqah?? The F-16 is a much much better jet than F-5.

I mean to make a copy of the F-5 (Even if it is upgraded) when you can make one of the F-16 is just a huge waste of time and resources if you ask me.

 

[darkinsky]

iranians can copy f-16??

well thats something new

btw the iranian jet you are talking about,ive heard, its just the modified bird, not a copy

 

[Armstrong]

Maybe it was easier to reverse engineer an F-5 when compared with an F-16 ! Maybe, reverse engineering 2 F-16s has the inherent risk of making them worthless; a risk that the more numerous F-5s would be considerably more mitigated against.

 

[Mosamania]

Maybe it was easier to reverse engineer an F-5 when compared with an F-16 ! Maybe, reverse engineering 2 F-16s has the inherent risk of making them worthless; a risk that the more numerous F-5s would be considerably more mitigated against.

You can't use those F-16s in war time since they need to be part of a larger Squadron which means more F-16s are needed for effective operations.

The F-16 would have been a much better choice to study and reverse engineer than an F-5 which doesn't hold a candle neither it or its variants against any of the region's Air Forces.

 

[Armstrong]

You can't use those F-16s in war time since they need to be part of a larger Squadron which means more F-16s are needed for effective operations.

The F-16 would have been a much better choice to study and reverse engineer than an F-5 which doesn't hold a candle neither it or its variants against any of the region's Air Forces.

Off the top of my head...I'm not sure if any country out there has been able to reverse engineer an F-16 or any of the more modern US planes. Perhaps its difficult to reverse engineer some of the more complex air crafts in the world; I mean reverse engineering a Mig-21 is very different from doing the same with an Su-30 ! Heck even the Chinese had to have significant know-how and an already somewhat thriving industry before they, allegedly, came out with their J-11s (Su-27s).

Either way, I'm sure if it could be done the Iranian's would have done it.

 

[Desert Fox]

Before the 1979 revolution the US delivered 1 or 2 F-16s to Iran:

So my Question is:
Why the inferior F-5 is made into Saeqah?? The F-16 is a much much better jet than F-5.

I mean to make a copy of the F-5 (Even if it is upgraded) when you can make one of the F-16 is just a huge waste of time and resources if you ask me.

The Iranians have the F-5 assembly line as well as F-5's in large numbers so they could afford to lose a few Jets while testing a new home made version of it, however the same is not the case with the single F-16 they have since they only have one. You lose that only F-16 and you can either build a new one from scratch or try to procure one illegally, which i believe is impossible.

 

[untitled]

Can anyone provide a link about the delivery of the F-16(s) to Iran

 

[Mosamania]

The Iranians have the F-5 assembly line as well as F-5's in large numbers so they could afford to lose a few Jets while testing a new home made version of it, however the same is not the case with the single F-16 they have since they only have one. You lose that only F-16 and you can either build a new one from scratch or try to procure one illegally, which i believe is impossible.

But it is just sitting there anyways why not make a good use of it?? Sure it is harder to reverse engineer but it is much much much much and I will say much a hundred time more better than the F-5. Give it a good try and if it doesn't work then at least they gain Aeronautical knowledge from it that is "At least".

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

You looking at the situation the wrong way.
Iran saegeh is a 4th gen version of the f-5. that is all I know about it.

Iran could easily make an decent 4+ fighter if it wanted, but you don't understand Iranian defence doctrine.
the money is in the missile. they are not wiling to put alot of resources in the airforce right now.

how do you know Iran has not reserve engineered the f-16?

you will see huge upgrade on Iran airforce in the next few years.

Fars News Agency :: Iranian Defense Ministry Plans to Boost Aerospace Capabilities This Year

Iran to build advanced fighter jet: commander

 

[Armstrong]

But it is just sitting there anyways why not make a good use of it?? Sure it is harder to reverse engineer but it is much much much much and I will say much a hundred time more better than the F-5. Give it a good try and if it doesn't work then at least they gain Aeronautical knowledge from it that is "At least".

I doubt even the Turks who've been manufacturing the air-craft for the better of 2 decades, would be able to reverse engineer the thing. Even the Japs who went on to create their F-16 inspired F-2 required invaluable input from Lockheed Martin, along with tech transfer.

 

[Serpentine]

There was a debate on these pictures on an Iranian site and we came in to belief at last that these pics are fake.
Don't you think the pics are too new to belong to 70s times?These pics don't look like 34 years ago.
Iran received only one f-16 and it hasn't been seen since the revolution.Before Americans leave Iran,they sabotaged some Iran's jet's and defence Systems in Mehrabad airport,Tehran.Maybe that f-16 was there.

Besides,It's not the body of the f-16 that makes it special.It's Radar,engine,missiles and other things.Surely making an engine like the one in f-16 is not something that Iran can do at the moment.
These copies of f-5 use a more advanced radar,mig-29 RD-33 engine and advanced air to air guided missiles.
To be honest.,i don't know how Iran achieved or made the radar.

 

[BLACKEAGLE]

The Iranians have the F-5 assembly line as well as F-5's in large numbers so they could afford to lose a few Jets while testing a new home made version of it, however the same is not the case with the single F-16 they have since they only have one. You lose that only F-16 and you can either build a new one from scratch or try to procure one illegally, which i believe is impossible.

Then. why did't Iranians reverse engineer F-14?

 

[Mosamania]

You looking at the situation the wrong way.
Iran saegeh is a 4th gen version of the f-5. that is all I know about it.

Iran could easily make an decent 4+ fighter if it wanted, but you don't understand Iranian defence doctrine.
the money is in the missile. they are not wiling to put alot of resources in the airforce right now.

how do you know Iran has not reserve engineered the f-16?

you will see huge upgrade on Iran airforce in the next few years.

Fars News Agency :: Iranian Defense Ministry Plans to Boost Aerospace Capabilities This Year

Iran to build advanced fighter jet: commander

Iran's Saeqah does not meet the 4th gen criteria (Please understand I am not attacking Iran's industry in anyway) The F-5 was discarded by majority of Air Forces around the world because its whole design is obsolete and is lacking in many aspects. If there was a chance for further development they would have done it like the case with the F-15 Silent Eagle.

F-16 however if remastered and mass produced by Iran would be a substantial upgrade to Iran's current Air Force status. I agree and I disagree with what you said about the money is in the missiles.

Iran is producing missiles to make up for its shortage in Air Force capability which is a smart move considering that Iran has to play the hand it is served. After all Missiles are just a delivery system. Just as Fighter jets are also a delivery system. However Jets are more accurate and more versatile than Rockets and Missiles. If missiles were the best delivery system then world powers would not be making Fighter Jets instead just focusing on missiles.


I am eager to see what Iran can produce but when it comes to the Air you are only as good as what your neighbors are flying.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

Nobody here can tell you anything about Iran, all i can say is that Iran always surprises.
like how usa refused to give spare parts for f-14 then Iran managed to produce it themselves.
Iran has an amazing overhaul capability.

regard to the comment about missile, an plane can easily be shot or brought down, whether it be an missile or cyberwarfare remember the RQ-170? Iran sejill 2 are a nightmare for Israel, they are much more deadly. the only advantage an f-16 has is that it is reusable and can have air combat.

I think the RQ-170 sensors,engine will push Iran ability by at least 15 years!

 

[Serpentine]

Then. why did't Iranians reverse engineer F-14?

Because it takes huge resources to reverse engineer it.It doesn't worth to put all your resources for a Jet that is especially designed for navy and air patrol.It's not a suitable jet for dog-fighting and Air superiority.If we had something like f-15 SE,then you could say this.

Iran's Saeqah does not meet the 4th gen criteria (Please understand I am not attacking Iran's industry in anyway) The F-5 was discarded by majority of Air Forces around the world because its whole design is obsolete and is lacking in many aspects. If there was a chance for further development they would have done it like the case with the F-15 Silent Eagle.

F-16 however if remastered and mass produced by Iran would be a substantial upgrade to Iran's current Air Force status. I agree and I disagree with what you said about the money is in the missiles.

Iran is producing missiles to make up for its shortage in Air Force capability which is a smart move considering that Iran has to play the hand it is served. After all Missiles are just a delivery system. Just as Fighter jets are also a delivery system. However Jets are more accurate and more versatile than Rockets and Missiles. If missiles were the best delivery system then world powers would not be making Fighter Jets instead just focusing on missiles.


I am eager to see what Iran can produce but when it comes to the Air you are only as good as what your neighbors are flying.

Mosa,best option is not always the most ideal option.Missiles are not as good as jets,right,but to be able to fight countries like U.S or Israel who threaten Iran everyday,since we don't have an air force as good as them,we developed missile technology which is cheaper.
Even if we made copies of f-14 or f-16,let's say 60 of them,would it be enough and worth it looking at huge resources spent to reverse engineer it?