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So Raisi asked HESA to build a few passenger planes. Is he talking about the Antonov-140 ? Because honestly if Iran can figure out the issues behind the engine, then all of the grounded Antonov-140 planes can be made airworthy.

Aren't the engines for the AN-140 plane Russian ? Why can't Iran import them or license build them from Russia ? or find an alternative from China ? Because aside from the Russian engine, the AN-140 can also use a Pratt and Whitney variant as a replacement. Obviously purchasing turboprop engines from the west is out of the question but perhaps there is a Chinese alternative ?

 
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So there will be 65 Kowsars in the end. Maybe more if IRIAF finally comes to its senses and gets rid of the toothless F-7N/Mirage F1 fleet. Considering its avionics and combat suite is truly 4.0 Generation, Some 70-80 such fighters would not be bad for the interceptor force of 73 x F-14AM + 23 MIG9.12A. A good stop-gap solution until (a) 4.5 generation MRCA comes from Russia/China (b) Kowsars next generation is unvieled .

6 + 11 + 6 airframes have been seen being worked upon during different photo sets.

Fully armed and operationalized, it can take on even our MIG 9.12A in engagement, the soviet reject has a ~400 Kg midget range radar that can't see a 1 m2 RCS target beyond 40 KM. IRIAF needs to focus on MIG fleet upgradation the same way they have focused on F-5E/F fleet and F-14A. Otherwise what's the point.
 
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Mr Raisy: "I asked HESA to build 72 seat airliners."
 
TAB-2

MIG-29 9.12A carrying 2 x R-73E HOBS + 2 x R27R1 BVR.

For fun, can anyone point out the upgradations this aircraft has received inside Iran so far ?

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Perhaps or perhaps they're producing half a dozen to a dozen a year ? Is it that hard to believe ?

6 Kowsars a year might be a realistic number. Mostly to replace older F-5’s that are either cannablized, lost in accidents, or put into storage due to lack of airworthy status.

We will probably see Kowsar II in next couple years. And then the whole cycle repeats itself again.
 
Perhaps or perhaps they're producing half a dozen to a dozen a year ? Is it that hard to believe ?

depends upon the $$ inflow. Cost of a brand new (from scratch) Kowsar is 9-9.5 Million USD (quoting key aero) including new fuselage, movable parts, skin, FBW controlled actuators, engines, radar, avionics, cockpit, seats, landing gears, new wings/tails, Radom, Comms, etc). So the mean price tag for a Kowsar coming of HESA is ~8-9 Million USD.

So let's say if the ultimate goal is 90 x Kowsars they have to do it in the next 5 years. That would cost around ~140 million USD annually. IRIAF with their current forced cut budget can merely afford 40 % of it so the current rate is 6-7 aircraft per year (50-55 Million USD). Because of other projects like F-14 AM upgradation, F-4E/D "Dowran" upgrade with Bayyenat-II, MIG-29/SU-24 upgradation facilities being set up, induction of Kaman-22, and Mohajer-6 MALE UCAVs. Then you have stupid, good-for-nothing projects like maintaining ~142 x fleet of F-7N + Mirages F1Q+ F-5E/F/R/A + Saegheh tech demos. So IRIAF is strained. If they get rid of F-7N+Mirages+tech demos and SU-24 upgradation for now then they can probably focus more on just the much more important interceptor force of 150 x all 4th generation F-14AM+Kowsar+MIGs. This interceptor force has no alternative so it's a must even if we retire all the F-4 E/D and Su-24MK fleet, we have the UCAV + missile force to replace these attack aircraft for that role.

IRIAF is in hands of stupid decision-makers with huge egos apparently. Although things seem to be improving slowly in recent years with Kowsar like building capabilities, F-14AM, advanced integrated GCI battle groups etc. If they somehow upgrade MIGs to M2/SMT standards with some 20 more airframes being procured. The interceptor force will be able to take on any regional foes with ease at least. The American question will remain though.
 
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So Raisi asked HESA to build a few passenger planes. Is he talking about the Antonov-140 ? Because honestly if Iran can figure out the issues behind the engine, then all of the grounded Antonov-140 planes can be made airworthy.

Aren't the engines for the AN-140 plane Russian ? Why can't Iran import them or license build them from Russia ? or find an alternative from China ? Because aside from the Russian engine, the AN-140 can also use a Pratt and Whitney variant as a replacement. Obviously purchasing turboprop engines from the west is out of the question but perhaps there is a Chinese alternative ?
If I'm not mistaken Ir-140 had 52 seats and engine/design problems. recent simorgh had 6 ton capacity (6000/72=83Kg and no baggage no flight attendant) airplane passengers are a bit heavier than that with their baggage (no offense).

With average of 90Kg passenger and 25Kg of baggage you need at least 8.5 T capacity for your airliner and some slim pilots plus some skinny flight attendants :D

With some food and drinks offering during flights and installing seats and fridges It could be at 10 ton range for 72 people.with this mindset 4 engines with current setup makes sense or replace current engines with more powerful ones.
 
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Raisi visiting Kowsar production facillity, more Kowsar seems coming, I can see one with single cannon
View attachment 854476

Something very interesting is the total integration of IEI Bayyenat-II FCR on every airframe in this set. The twin cannons are gone from every airframe and the left one is showing avionics and radar components actually being placed inside. Its a serious production line.

For those who are new to this information, IEI Bayyenat-II is Iranian IEI domestic production of modern Grifo 346 or its CATIC-NREIT KLJ copies. It can track even a small-sized target from 93-94 KM and merely weighs ~85 KG so fighter has better pitch mobility. Also, it is equipped with ECM/ECCM control so it is not Jammed easily. The fact that IEI is producing it inside Iran and integrating it with so much confidence means that the next variant will be Grifo-E AESA equivalent.

IEI Bayyenat-I on F-4E/D = NRIET JL-10A
IEI Bayyenat-II on Kowsar = Grifo 346 or NRIET
IEI Bayenat-III on Kowsar-II = Grifo E AESA or NRIET KLJ-7A ????

Kowsar-page-0002.jpg


on M-346

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Data linked and BVR armed Kowsar with Bayyenat-II is a lethal package esp if it flies with F-14AM and MIG-29. These three types in one integrated group (8-10 fighters) supported by central command GCI network of GWACS+SIGINT/ELINT, Bavar-373 and S-300PMU2, TOR-M1/2 on the ground, can enforce a no-intrusion zone within 400-500 KM while IRGC aerospace command destroys enemy nests.
 
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Does Iran produce its own version of Cobra gunship, or just upgrading the older lots?
TOOPHAN II
  • Function: Military Gunship helicopter
  • Status: in limited Production by PANHA.
  • Construction: Iranian airframe reverse engineered and heavily modified AH 1J airframe, digital cockpit,new bulletproof canopy design,all-new forward and rear cockpit instrument panels (pilot and gunner), a new avionics suite, revised cockpit armouring, and a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera. Armament include all Iranian made weapons.
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TOOPHAN II
  • Function: Military Gunship helicopter
  • Status: in limited Production by PANHA.
  • Construction: Iranian airframe reverse engineered and heavily modified AH 1J airframe, digital cockpit,new bulletproof canopy design,all-new forward and rear cockpit instrument panels (pilot and gunner), a new avionics suite, revised cockpit armouring, and a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera. Armament include all Iranian made weapons.
1645369866887.png


1645369967635.png

1645370002677.png

1645370195255.png

1645370118407.png

Does it make the engine or just refurbish it from an existing Cobra?

Iran’s problem in terms of building a new attack helicopter (or heavy attack helicopter) has been the engine. Even Turkey imports that

Also what happened to the National Helicopter Project? Haven’t heard anything ever since they finally unveiled the finished prototype.
 
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