В ближайшие дни, во время праздничной декады, посвященной победе Исламской революции в Иране 1979 г., будут представлены новые достижения в космической сфере, в частности, первый космический центр имени Имама Садека (шестого имама шиитов), предназначенный для контроля полета космических объектов, который также будет заниматься разработкой и запуском спутников нового поколения, заявил сегодня министр обороны Ирана генерал Ахмад Вахиди, передает иранский англоязычный телеканал Press-TV.


В ближайшее время также состоится презентация истребителей последнего поколения и ракетной техники исключительно иранского производства, - добавил Вахиди. Новая модель истребителя-бомбардировщика, созданного иранскими специалистами, будет способна поражать и наземные, и воздушные цели, - цитирует агентство Mehr слова главы оборонного ведомства Ирана. Это уже третье поколение иранских истребителей, которые были разработаны иранскими специалистами после победы исламской революции в 1979 г. и образования Исламской Республики. Предыдущими разработками специалистов министерства обороны ИРИ были истребители первого и второго поколения Azarakhsh и Saeqeh.

Phoenix Rises

Come March 2010, the IRIAF’s research department was tasked with defining the basic concept and aerodynamic design of future combat UAVs, including all the combat, navigation, targeting and control systems. But what was needed was a test bed. Perhaps inevitably, eyes turned towards the T-Bird! Three of the T-33As in storage at TFB 8 had been kept in good condition and their logbooks were showing that they needed comparatively little work to become airworthy once again. Consequently, 2-8004 and 2-8008 were dismantled and transported to Doshan-Tappeh airfield.
In an amusing prelude to the project, two remote-controlled scale models of the T-33A were purchased from a hobby-shop in the UK and flown in front of IRJAF commanders as an example of the future real UAV T-33As! Funding for the project was duly granted by Brig Gen Shah-Safi.
The first phase involved installing all the proposed systems and engines of IRJAFs future combat/recce UAV into the T-33A platform. 2-8004 was selected for the purpose.
To begin with, all the old hydraulic and pneumatic systems of the aircraft, including the control system, were replaced with servo motors. All of the T-33’s instrument panels, ejection seats and related components of the flight instrumentation systems were removed and the old Allison J33 Turbojet was replaced with the J85-GE-15 Turbojet. Likewise, the old communication systems were ripped out, and a modem NAVAIDS package including TACAN and GPS was installed. A modem data-link system was purchased from a private company and a targeting FUR was acquired via IOI (Iranian Optic Industries) with the ability to find and track the targets in thermal mode to guide Sattar 4 Laser Guided Bombs.
Other projected armament included LAU- 3B rocket launchers and conventional Mk.80 series iron bombs and for this purpose the wing structures were strengthened. The hardest part of the project was the design of a long-range control system and mobile control post for the aircraft, and this caused a two-year delay in the programme.
The prototype is now nearing completion and has been designated RQ-33A to reflect its role as an experimental UAV Its clear canopy has been replaced with an aerodynamic composite cover and the aircraft is painted in Asian Minor II camouflage pattern. A CH-47 will airlift the RQ-33A to Kushk-Nosrat, which is deemed to be the safest place from which to conduct experimental UAV operations. The first unmanned flight of 2-8004 is planned for late 2014... a fitting finale for the remarkable career of theT-33 in Iranian service.