Mohajer-10
Iran’s Defense Ministry said on Aug. 22 it unveiled a long-endurance, armed uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) called the Mohajer-10.
The announcement continues a pattern by Iran of releasing claims about new military hardware that are impossible to independently verify, as tensions continue to build with Israel and other countries over the the steady progression of the Islamic republic’s nuclear program.
“Many developments are underway now, and God willing, we will soon have more unveilings of defense and military equipment for our country,” Defense Minister Mohammed-Reza Ashtiani said in an Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) report.
The Mohajer-10 UAS reportedly can fly up to 2,000 km (1,250 mi.), which may be just enough for a round-trip to Israel from Iran’s southwest border. IRNA’s news article claimed the UAS carries a payload up to 300 kg (660 lb.) or slightly more than the General Atomics Aeronautics Systems MQ-1B Predator.
The Mohajer-10 shares many design features with the Predator family, such as the canted tails and upside-down spoon-shaped fuselage of the MQ-9.
A video released by Iran’s Defense Ministry shows the single-engine UAS taking off and landing from a runway. The video does not show the landing gear retracting and a close-up of the belly reveals no obvious doors to store the gear. The aircraft also was displayed by the Defense Ministry with three small munitions on each wing and a nose-mounted electro-optical sensor
IRNA describes the Mohajer-10 as having a 24-hr. endurance, an altitude ceiling of 7,000 m (22,960 ft.) and a fuel capacity of 450 liters (170 gal.).
Comments