Kaman-12 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) during the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition. Source: Fars News Agency
On February 28, the Iranian Air Force (IAF) officially unveiled the production line of the new Kaman-12 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which was first presented during the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition last January.
Iran’s Press TV said that Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari and Air Force Commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh attended the unveiling ceremony that was held in Tehran.
The Kaman-12 has an endurance of 10 hours and a combat radius of over 1,000km. The UCAV weighs 450kg and can carry a payload as heavy as 100kg.
Iranian sources say that Kaman-12 will be primarily armed with the new Akhgar small-diameter cruise missile, which was also revealed during the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition. The missile weights 27kg and has a range of 30km. Thanks to an advanced electro-optical seeker, the Akhgar can hit its targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Akhgar small-diameter cruise missile during the the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition. Source: (@iranian_defensive_power) on Instagram
Akhgar small-diameter cruise missile during the the Eqtedar 40 Exhibition. Source: (@iranian_defensive_power) on Instagram
Iran has unveiled several advanced weapons since the beginning of this year, including a 1,350km-range cruise missile, a 1,00km-range ballistic missile and a submarine launched anti-ship missile.
This boost in the Iranian defense industry was likely encouraged by the repeated threats by the U.S. and Israel, which want the Islamic country to reduce its military capabilities.
