Man... That thing in the picture is a hobby model !!!
I think the one in the pic above is just a mock up and not the real RC version Iran built at the start of the reverse engineering program
1st one was an RC model ~ 1/10 the size and it's not like Iran mass produced the RC version for them to take it around the country for every event they built 2-3 of them and not all survived.... so I would say that's probably just a mockup...
This is the RC Version
Then we moved on to 40% Version
And a propeller version for long flight hours
then they moved on to 1-1 copy
They planed it step by step to reach their goal and I think that's good project management!
I believe they should take the next step and build a larger twin engine version with 2 OWJ engines, air refueling capability and the capability to drop 4,000 - 5,000 lb payload
Iran right now is building a civilian turbofan engine they can also build a larger one based on that engine in the future...
Also with an IRST & 2 IR missiles it will be a good version to be used in Air to Air operations!
I think the IRGC has better project management than IRIAF
I believe there should be a competition between IRIAF & IRGC (AFAGIR) for the development of the next Iranian Airframe based on the following restrictions
1. Prototypes based on 2 J-79 engines (Production model we'll use Turbofan...)
2. Radar dome large enough to hold an AWG-9 Radar
3.Max speed of + Mach 1.8
4.Internal weapons bay
5.+8G capable
6.No vertical surfaces
7.air-air flight refueling capability
8.IRST built in the airframe
Both prototypes should use F-14 cockpit, radar, weapons system and landing gear and incorporate parts and equipment Iran is already producing.
And you make IEI (Iran electronic industries) responsible for developing the cockpit of the production model with an Iranian IRST, MFD, upgraded version of the AWG-9 with increased processing power and a more advanced antenna,