The HESA Fotros (Persian: فطرس fʊtros) is an Iranian reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat unmanned aerial vehicle built by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation and unveiled in November 2013. It was the largest Iranian drone at its unveiling. It has an operational range of 1,700 km to 2,000 km with flight endurance of 16 to 30 hours depending on armament.[3][4] The name refers to a fallen angel in Shia mythology which was redeemed by Imam Husayn ibn Ali.[5] The Fotros carries up to six missiles or bombs.[6]
| HESA Fotros | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fotros UAV at its unveiling ceremony | |
| Role | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| Manufacturer | HESA[1] |
| First flight | November 2013 |
| Introduction | 2020 |
| Status | Accepted for service[2] |
| Primary user | Iran |
| Number built | Unknown, at least 2 |
History
editThe Fotros was unveiled in November 2013 in a joint ceremony by MODAFL, IRIAF and IRAA.[7] It is believed that the unveiling of the Fotros was rushed so that it could be unveiled before the start of P5+1 talks over Iran's nuclear programs.[8] It carries at least 6 Ghaem Precision-guided munitions, or 6 of 3 unnamed Precision-guided munitions.[9]
In 2020 the UAV participated in a military training drill known as “Defenders of Velayat Skies.”[10]
Status
editThere was no news or status updates on the Fotros between its announcement in 2013 and 2020.[6]
In 2020 it was announced that the drone had entered service and more images surfaced of the UAV. Production is believed to have started, and at least 2 have been produced.[11][12]
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics Performance
- Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
- Endurance: 16 to 30 hours
- Service ceiling: 7,600 m (25,000 ft)
See also
editAircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
edit- ^ ""پهپاد راهبردی فطرس" بزرگترین هواپیمای بدون سرنشین کشور با حضور وزیر دفاع رونمایی شد". Ministry of Defense of Iran. Archived from the original on 2013-11-21. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
شرکت صنایع هواپیماسازی ایران
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "IRGC Ground Force to Get Fotros Drone - Politics news".
- ^ "Iran Unveils Indigenous 'Fotros' Drone".
- ^ "Iran presents largest home-made UAV "Fotros"". 18 November 2013.
- ^ "Fotros or Petros(angel)". 18 November 2013.
- ^ a b "خبرگزاری فارس - تحول پهپادهای ایرانی با تسلیحات جدید/ موشک «تاپ اتک» ارمغان فطرس برای تانکهای دشمن". خبرگزاری فارس. 31 August 2020.
- ^ Mark Pyruz https://www.uskowioniran.com/2013/11/fotros-ucav-irans-strategic-drone.html
- ^ Jabbar Fazeli (18 November 2013). "Iranian Fotros UAV Missing Two Screws".
- ^ "The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Drones".
- ^ Spires, Josh (2020-11-03). "Iranian-made drones joined the Iran Air Force's annual drill". DroneDJ. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ "IRGC Ground Force to get Fotros drone". Tehran Times. 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
- ^ Axe, David (2020-04-28). "Fotros: Iran Has Killer Drones That Can Loiter over a Battlefield for a Day". The National Interest. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
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