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Title: Iran Inaugurates Nation's First Domestically Built Unmanned Bomber
Source:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
URL Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=11454207
Published: Aug 22, 2010
Author: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Post Date: 2010-08-22 13:47:12 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 2116
Comments: 6
ranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday inaugurated the country's first domestically built unmanned bomber aircraft, calling it an "ambassador of death" to Iran's enemies. The 4-meter-long drone aircraft can carry up to four cruise missiles and will have a range of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), according to a state TV report — not far enough to reach archenemy Israel. "The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship," said Ahmadinejad at the inauguration ceremony, which fell on the country's national day for its defense industries. The goal of the aircraft, named Karrar or striker, is to "keep the enemy paralyzed in its bases," he said, adding that the aircraft is for deterrence and defensive purposes. The president championed the country's military self-sufficiency program, and said it will continue "until the enemies of humanity lose hope of ever attacking the Iranian nation." Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo and now produces its own tanks, armored personnel carries, missiles and even a fighter plane. Iran frequently makes announcements about new advances in military technology that cannot be independently verified. State TV later showed video footage of the plane taking off from a launching pad and reported that the craft traveled at speeds of 560 miles per hour (900 kilometers) and could alternatively be armed with two 250-pound bombs or a 450-pound guided bomb. Iran has been producing its own light, unmanned surveillance aircraft since the late 1980s. The ceremony came a day after Iran began to fuel its first nuclear power reactor, with the help of Russia, amid international concerns over the possibility of a military dimension to its nuclear program. Iran insists it is only interested in generating electricity. Referring to Israel's occasional threats against Iran's nuclear facilities, Ahmadinejad called any attack unlikely, but he said if Israel did, the reaction would be overwhelming. "The scope of Iran's reaction will include the entire the earth," said Ahmadinejad. "We also tell you — the West — that all options are on the table." Ahmadinejad appeared to be consciously echoing the terminology used by the U.S. and Israel in their statements not ruling out a military option against Iran's nuclear facilities.
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#4. To: Brian S (#0)
Iran's defense chief says home-made drones are not only able to gather information, but possess 'operational capabilities' as well. "These (Iranian) drones have numerous applications", Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Fars News Agency on Sunday. "They can not only record and transmit images, but possess operational capabilities as well", the top general underlined. He said the Karar drone unveiled on Sunday has a flight radius of 1000 km, adding Iran has other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which can fly the same distance. "The Karar bomber drone has numerous capabilities, namely having a long operational radius", he added. "The jet-propelled unmanned plane can also gain altitude", he said. Earlier Sunday, Iran unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a ceremony marking Defense Industry Day in the country. The Karrar UAV is capable of carrying a military payload of rockets to carry out bombing missions against ground targets. It is also capable of flying long distances at a very high speed. Iran's defense industries have demonstrated spectacular progress in the recent year, launching numerous domestically-built armaments, including aerial and sea-borne military vehicles such as submarines, combat frigates and various types of missiles.
Focusing their efforts on domestic production leaves quite a intel vaccum for the west. While the west may have a clue(or not) on Iran's weapons capabilities, the number they have produced remains a mystery especially in their missile production.
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#5. To: hondo68 (#4)
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