Does anyone have the same feeling as I have that Janes seems to have stopped use of sarcastic language when it comes to Iran and is looking at the developments more seriously and less doubtfully?:
http://www.janes.com/article/64262/iran-develops-two-new-uav-types-from-captured-rq-170-sentinel
Iran develops two new UAV types from captured RQ-170 Sentinel
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
03 October 2016
A screenshot from Iranian news showing the UAV production line, which appears to show two different types based on the US Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel. Source: SimaNews/YouTube
Iran appears to have developed two 'new' types of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) derived from the US-built Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel that was captured in 2011, state media disclosed on 1 October.
Footage of a production line was aired by SimaNews as part of a wider report to showcase the latest achievements by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Aerospace Division. The report, which purports to show near-complete UAVs on the line, shows there to be two distinct variants in build.
Of the 13 UAVs on the line, two appear to be near-clones of the RQ-170, featuring the distinctive frontal grilled air intake mounted on the upper body for the single jet engine. The remaining 11 UAVs appear to be more derivative, with only a much smaller air intake visible, suggesting a piston engine/turboprop powerplant rather than a jet.
One of the two types appears to be a near-clone of the captured RQ-170 Sentinel, featuring a distinctive frontal grilled air intake mounted on the upper body for the single jet engine. (SimaNews/YouTube)
The US-built RQ-170 features a windowed under-fuselage imaging payload, and a similar aperture fitted to an Iranian copy is briefly shown in the footage (the captured RQ-170 was believed to have 'pancaked' into the ground, largely destroying the payload. As such, it is doubtful that the IRGC has been able to fully reproduce the payload in the same way that it has the aircraft itself). As seen in the footage, the secondary type UAV appears to be equipped instead to carry four under fuselage air-to-surface missiles in place of the imaging payload.
According to SimaNews, the UAV type shown on the production line has been named Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) by the IRGC. As the news report only referenced one UAV type having been derived from the RQ-170, it is unclear if this moniker refers to the near-clone surveillance platform, to the derived missile carrier, or to both. Neither is it clear whether both types will enter operational service, or if the near-clone has served as a testbed for the missile carrier.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
