TEHRAN (Agencies): Iran has unveiled unmanned naval versions of the Qaher (Conqueror/Omnipotent) F-313 ‘stealth fighter’ during an event marking the entry into service of its new Shahid Bahman Bagheri drone carrier on February 6. The two new subscale versions of the Qaher manned fighter, which was developed into a prototype but not progressed into an operational combat aircraft, were displayed for the first time.
Imagery and footage of the 36,000-ton, 240-meter-long converted container ship showed it carrying three 60%-scale Qaher-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designated JAS 313, with tail numbers 60-01 and 60-02, and four much smaller 25%-scale Qaher-type UAVs, also designated JAS 313, with tail numbers 25-01, 25-05, and 25-06. The original Qaher was approximately 14 meters in length with a wingspan of about 8 meters, and it is likely that the first value in the tail numbers of the new unmanned versions relates to the scale of these aircraft to the Qaher.
While the Qaher manned fighter was shown to be a twin-engined prototype, both of the smaller navalized versions appear to be powered by a single turbojet that is scaled to the relative size of the airframe. The smallest Qaher-type was shown in the footage being flown from the Shahid Bahman Bagheri.
The Qaher F-313, originally unveiled in 2013, was touted as Iran’s first stealth fighter, designed and produced by the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). Despite skepticism from independent experts about its viability, the aircraft was described as having advanced materials, a very low radar signature, and low-altitude operations capability. It was designed to carry either two 2,000-pound bombs, multiple smaller smart guided missiles, or at least six PL-12 type air-to-air missiles.
The unveiling of the unmanned naval versions suggests Iran’s continued efforts to develop and showcase its indigenous military technology, even as questions remain about the practicality and effectiveness of the original Qaher design.