Mohajer | |
---|---|
Type | Strategic reconnaissance |
Service history | |
Used by |
Hezbollah Iran Sudan Syria Venezuela |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Ghods Aviation Industries |
Variants | 1/2/3/4 |
Specifications | |
Weight | 85–174 kg (Depending on model) |
Length | 2.9–3.64 m (Depending on model) |
|
|
Wingspan | 5.3 m (For Mohajer 4) |
Operational
range |
50–150 (Depending on model) |
Speed | 120–220 km/h (Depending on version) |
Mohajer (Persian: مهاجر, "Migrant") or Mersad series of unmanned aerial vehicles is built by Iran. The Mohajer is primarily used for reconnaissance. It may also be capable of guiding laser-guided munitions to their targets.
Mohajer was first developed at the peak of the Iran–Iraq War. Studies started between 1980 by Iranian universities and IRGC as Iran needed surveillance equipment to gather information about Iraqi moves. Four prototypes were built in 1981 and were initially put into service to monitor the enemy lines in Shalamcheh. This drone which was later named Mohajer-1 was Iran's first step to manufacture UAVs. Mohajer continued to photograph Iraqi lines to the end of the war and accomplished 619 sorties at the end. There are reports indicating that Mohajer-1 was armed with six RPG-7 rockets to attack enemy positions, making it the first UCAV in the world to be used in war.
Following the successful use of Mohajer-1, Iran wanted a version with more range and endurance to monitor distant unreachable places. The version which was later named Mohajer-2 also had an auto pilot system to help it in its missions in places far from the reach of radio waves of command center. Its airframe was completely built with composite materials. More than 200 Mohajer-2s are built as of 2011[update].
Mohajer-3 (also called Hodhod) was developed to further increase the range and endurance. The airframe was redesigned to achieve this goal.
Mohajer-4 was later designed for both Iranian Army and IRGC. The airframe was again redesigned and better cameras were installed on the drone. Range and endurance were increased much more. There are two other variants of Mohajer-4 called "Hodhod A/100" and "Shahin". As of 2006[update], 30 Mohajer-4 and 10 Shahins were built. Engine used in this Drone is WAE342 or 3w engines.