- HESA Azarakhsh
infobox Aircraft
name = Azarakhsh
type =Strike fighter
manufacturer = HESA
caption =
designer =
first flight =
introduced =1997
retired =
number built = First Generation: 6 [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/azarakhsh.htm GlobalSecurity.org] Azarakhsh (Lightning)]
2nd & 3rd Generation: Unknown
4th and 5th generation: None
status = In service cite news|title=Global Security|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/airforce-equipment.htm]
unit cost =
primary user =Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
more users =
developed from = F-5E Tiger II
variants with their own articles =Saeqeh The Azarakhsh (Persian: آذرخش, "lightning") is
Iran 's first domestically manufactured [ [http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Iran.pdf] Tel Aviv University Publication, Analysis by the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies] combat jet fighter.Design and development
In April 1997 Iranian Brigadier General Arasteh, a deputy head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces declared that Iran had successfully designed, constructed, and tested its first fighter aircraft. By late 1997 Iran had begun mass producing the aircraft, but by mid-2000, four aircraft were said to be undergoing operational tests, with production proceeding at a rate of around ten aircraft per yearFact|date=September 2007.
A great deal of the aircraft is believed to be derived from the reverse engineered components of US fighter planes. Notable among these might be the
F-14 Tomcat , theF-5E Tiger II , and theF-4 Phantom II .Iran has yet to release any additional information about the aircraft and its capabilities are unknown. It is believed to be essentially a modified F-5, and claimed to be larger by about 10%-15%. The Azarakhsh is also said to use an upgraded version of N-019 Topaz radar.
On the
May 17 , 2000, Iran's acting commander of the Air Force said that Azarakhsh had reached mass-production stage. [ [http://www.payvand.com/news/00/may/1098.html Pavyand.com] Payvand's Iran News] OnAugust 6 , 2007, Ministry of Defense Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said, "[Azarakhsh] is now at the stage of industrial production and its mass production will start in the future." [ [http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-235/0708067971123959.htm New fighter plane tested successfully: Defense minister] IRNA]On
August 5 , 2007, Azarakhsh conducted a successful test flight. [ [http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-235/0708056117190330.htm Azarakhsh fighter conducts successful test flight] IRNA]Azarakhsh
The first generation of the Azarakhsh is believed to be essentially a modified US F-5E (produced in Iran) and is claimed to be 10-15% longer. Mass production started by late 1997 and As of 2001 there were six in inventory, with a production schedule established for 30 aircraft over the following three years.
aeqeh
The
Saeqeh is a follow on aircraft, derived from the Azarakhsh fighter. It has been optimistically compared to theF/A-18 by Iranian sources. As with many previous indigenous Iranian developed weapons, no performance data has been released to verify "official" claims. An unknown number of this generation have built and said to have entered service with IRIAFSeptember 22 , 2007.IRNA [http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0801063451003932.htm 4th, 5th generations of Sa'eqe jet fighters to be produced]January 5 ,2008 ] [Payvand News [http://www.payvand.com/news/07/sep/1232.html Saeqeh fighter planes tested successfully in Iran]September 20 ,2007 ]Future Variants
Beyond conjecture, little is known about the future aircraft design to be based on the Azarakhsh platform. Iranian Air Force General Mighani has stated that future generations would be indigenous designs.
pecifications
ee also
aircontent
related=
*Northrop F-5
*HESA Saeqeh similar aircraft=
*Nanchang Q-5
* J-7sequence=
lists =
*List of Iranian Air Force aircraft see also=
*Military of Iran
*Iran Aviation Industries Organization
*Iranian military industry
*Current Equipment of the Iranian Army References
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