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{{disputed|date=February 2021}}
{{Self-published|date=August 2020}}
{{short description|Iranian target drone}}
{{short description|Iranian target drone}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
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|caption = Karrar UAV seen at the 8th International Iran Air Show on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
|caption = Karrar UAV seen at the 8th International Iran Air Show on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = Multirole<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2019 |title=Iran Military Power |url=https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Images/News/Military_Powers_Publications/Iran_Military_Power_LR.pdf |location= |publisher=Defense Intelligence Agency |page=68 |isbn=978-0-16-095157-2}}</ref>
|type = [[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]
|national origin= [[Iran]]
|national origin= [[Iran]]
|manufacturer = [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company]] (HESA)
|manufacturer = [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company]] (HESA)
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|}
|}


The '''HESA Karrar''' ({{lang-fa|کرار}}, "striker") is an Iranian jet-powered [[target drone]] manufactured by [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company]] (HESA) since 2010. The Karrar is a derivative of the American 1970s-era [[Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker]] target drone, probably incorporating elements from the [[South Africa]]n [[Denel Dynamics Skua|Skua]], with hardpoints added for munitions. The Karrar was developed during the [[Ahmadinejad]] presidency.<ref name=Rawnsley1>{{cite tweet |user=arawnsley |number=1020420921448943616 |date=20 Jul 2018 |title=First off, Karrar is not a UCAV. Yes, yes, I know Iranian propaganda has billed it as a UCAV but it was rolled out during the Ahmadinejad era when lots of silly claims were made about Iran's drone capabilities.|author=Adam Rawnsley}}</ref>
The '''HESA Karrar''' ({{langx|fa|کرار}}) is an Iranian jet-powered [[target drone]] manufactured by [[Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company]] (HESA) since 2010. The Karrar is a derivative of the American 1970s-era [[Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker]] target drone, probably incorporating elements from the [[South Africa]]n [[Denel Dynamics Skua|Skua]], with hardpoints added for munitions. The Karrar was developed during the [[Ahmadinejad]] presidency.<ref name=Rawnsley1>{{cite tweet |user=arawnsley |number=1020420921448943616 |date=20 Jul 2018 |title=First off, Karrar is not a UCAV. Yes, yes, I know Iranian propaganda has billed it as a UCAV but it was rolled out during the Ahmadinejad era when lots of silly claims were made about Iran's drone capabilities.|author=Adam Rawnsley}}</ref>


As a target drone, the Karrar is used to train air-defense crews by simulating an aerial target. The Karrar is regularly spotted at Iranian air-defense drills, and is believed to be the replacement for Iran's aging American-built MQM-107 target drones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/arawnsley/status/997464811817652224|title=Adam Rawnsley on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|date=18 May 2018}}</ref> Karrar jet unmanned-aerial-vehicles are recently equipped with [[Shahab-e-Saqeb (missile)]] and with the Majid heat-seeking 8 km range missile in order to hit air targets.<ref>[https://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/803254/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%86%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B1 Introduction of Shahab Saqeb defense missile + images] fardanews.com, Retrieved 11 January 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.asriran.com/fa/news/604504/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%86%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A8-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3 Shahab Saqeb defense missile (+ photo)] asriran.com, Retrieved 11 January 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/12/27/1279612/iran-successfully-tests-new-homegrown-missile-system-in-drill Iran Successfully Tests New Homegrown Missile System in Drill] [[Tasnim News Agency|tasnimnews.com]], Retrieved 11 January 2021</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Iran's Karrar Drone Armed with Air-to-Air Missiles | website=Tasnim News Agency | date=2023-10-05 | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/10/05/2966617/iran-s-karrar-drone-armed-with-air-to-air-missiles | ref={{sfnref | Tasnim News Agency | 2023}} | access-date=2023-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Iranian Jet-Powered Drone Armed with New Air-Based Missile | website=Tasnim News Agency | date=2023-10-22 | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/10/22/2976030/iranian-jet-powered-drone-armed-with-new-air-based-missile | ref={{sfnref | Tasnim News Agency | 2023}} | access-date=2023-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Iranian Air Defense Gets Interceptor Drone Armed with AAM | website=Tasnim News Agency | date=2023-12-10 | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2023/12/10/3003961/iranian-air-defense-gets-interceptor-drone-armed-with-aam | ref={{sfnref | Tasnim News Agency | 2023}} | access-date=2023-12-11}}</ref>
As a target drone, the Karrar is used to train air-defense crews by simulating an aerial target.<ref name="sdj43">{{cite tweet |user=arawnsley |number=1020422169610924033 |date= 20 Jul 2012 |title=But Karrar vaporware. They just lied about what it's used for. If you were glancingly familiar with Iran's Air Defense Force, you'd recognize Karrar at air defense exercises|author=Adam Rawnsley}}</ref> The Karrar is regularly spotted at Iranian air-defense drills, and is believed to be simply the replacement for Iran's aging American-built MQM-107 target drones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/arawnsley/status/997464811817652224|title=Adam Rawnsley on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|date=18 May 2018}}</ref>


==Design==
==Design==
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The Karrar has a small, clipped delta wing mounted low to a cylindrical, blunt-nosed fuselage. It has a dorsal air intake for the engine and twin arrowhead-shaped endplate tailfins mounted high on the fuselage.<ref name="iaia"/>
The Karrar has a small, clipped delta wing mounted low to a cylindrical, blunt-nosed fuselage. It has a dorsal air intake for the engine and twin arrowhead-shaped endplate tailfins mounted high on the fuselage.<ref name="iaia"/>
[[File:HESA Karrar 2010.jpg|thumb|A Karrar with a Mk 82 bomb mounted on the centerline hardpoint.]]
[[File:HESA Karrar 2010.jpg|thumb|A Karrar with a Mk 82 bomb mounted on the centerline hardpoint.]]
The Karrar uses a [[JATO|rocket assist system]] to take off and is recovered by parachute.<ref name="iaia"/> It is also claimed to be capable of air launch.<ref name="iaia"/> Iranian officials have said the aircraft has surveillance capabilities, but the Karrar has no visible EO/IR sensors.<ref name="iaia"/> The Karrar is believed to have an autopilot system with [[Inertial navigation system|INS]] and/or [[GPS]] guidance, and may have terrain following capability as well.<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830185653/http://thearkenstone.blogspot.com/2011/02/karrar-uav.html|title=The Arkenstone - ارکنستون: Karrar UAV|date=6 February 2011|publisher=|author=Galen Wright}}</ref> The Karrar is capable of both high and low altitude flight,<ref name="archive.org1"/> and of day and night flight.<ref name="king">{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/638301.html|title=Иранская экспозиция на МАКС-2017. Часть.2|first=|last=Yuri Lyamin|date=21 July 2017|publisher=}}</ref> It can follow a pre-programmed flight path, which can also be updated in flight.<ref name="king"/>
The Karrar uses a [[JATO|rocket assist system]] to take off and is recovered by parachute.<ref name="iaia"/> It is also claimed to be capable of air launch.<ref name="iaia"/> Iranian officials have said the aircraft has surveillance capabilities, but the Karrar has no visible EO/IR sensors.<ref name="iaia"/> The Karrar is believed to have an autopilot system with [[Inertial navigation system|INS]] and/or [[GPS]] guidance, and may have terrain following capability as well.{{cn|date=December 2020}} The Karrar is capable of both high and low altitude flight,<ref name="archive.org1"/> and of day and night flight.<ref name="king">{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/638301.html|title=Иранская экспозиция на МАКС-2017. Часть.2|last=Yuri Lyamin|date=21 July 2017}}</ref> It can follow a pre-programmed flight path, which can also be updated in flight.<ref name="king"/>


The Karrar can carry one 500 lb [[Mk 82]] general-purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two [[Nasr-1]] anti-ship missiles,{{efn|(or maybe only one, sources differ; see <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4753618&c=MID&s=AIR |title=Iran Unveils Domestically Produced Bomber Drone |publisher=Defense News |date= |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref>)}} two [[Kowsar]] anti-ship missiles, or two 250 pound [[Mark 81 bomb|Mk 81]] general-purpose bombs on the underwing stations, or (since 2019) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb.<ref name="iaia"/><ref>[https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/08/06/2070274/iran-unveils-new-smart-bombs Iran Unveils New Smart Bombs] tasnimnews.com</ref><ref>[https://www.janes.com/article/90357/iran-holds-unveiling-event-for-precision-guided-bombs Iran holds unveiling event for precision guided bombs] janes.com</ref> It is believed that carrying weapons substantially reduces the Karrar's operating range.<ref name="archive.org1">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308044516/https://defense-update.com/products/k/karrar_jet_powered_drone_24082010.html|title=Karrar - Iran's New Jet-Powered Recce and Attack Drone|date=Aug 2010|publisher=Defense Update}}</ref>
The Karrar can carry one 500 lb [[Mk 82]] general-purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two [[Nasr-1]] anti-ship missiles,{{efn|(or maybe only one, sources differ; see <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4753618&c=MID&s=AIR |title=Iran Unveils Domestically Produced Bomber Drone |publisher=Defense News |access-date=2010-08-23}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>)}} two [[Kowsar]] anti-ship missiles, or two 250 pound [[Mark 81 bomb|Mk 81]] general-purpose bombs on the underwing stations, or (since 2019) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb.<ref name="iaia"/><ref>[https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2019/08/06/2070274/iran-unveils-new-smart-bombs Iran Unveils New Smart Bombs] tasnimnews.com</ref><ref>[https://www.janes.com/article/90357/iran-holds-unveiling-event-for-precision-guided-bombs Iran holds unveiling event for precision guided bombs] janes.com</ref> It is believed that carrying weapons substantially reduces the Karrar's operating range.<ref name="archive.org1">{{cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/products/k/karrar_jet_powered_drone_24082010.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308044516/https://defense-update.com/products/k/karrar_jet_powered_drone_24082010.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-08|title=Karrar - Iran's New Jet-Powered Recce and Attack Drone|date=Aug 2010|publisher=Defense Update}}</ref>


Military experts quickly noted that Karrar bears an obvious resemblance to the US [[Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker]] target drone designed in the 1970s and exported to Iran before the [[Iranian revolution]]. According to a report from [[Denel Dynamics]], however, the Karrar is not an exact clone of the MQM-107 Streaker as some design elements have been copied from the [[Denel Dynamics Skua]] as well.<ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Campbell|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-iranian-unmanned-warplane-not-a-copy-of-sa-design-except-maybe-for-the-tailplane-2010-09-10|title=New Iranian unmanned warplane not a SA copy, except, maybe, for the tailplane|publisher=Engineering News|date= |accessdate=2010-09-10}}</ref> Technical data on the Skua was reportedly sold by one of the Skua's export customers to Iran.<ref name="iaia"/> Overall, the Karrar is not an exact copy of the MQM-107, and multiple design changes have been made.<ref name="archive.org1"/>
Military experts quickly noted that Karrar bears an obvious resemblance to the US [[Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker]] target drone designed in the 1970s and exported to Iran before the [[Iranian revolution]]. According to a report from [[Denel Dynamics]], however, the Karrar is not an exact clone of the MQM-107 Streaker as some design elements have been copied from the [[Denel Dynamics Skua]] as well.<ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Campbell|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-iranian-unmanned-warplane-not-a-copy-of-sa-design-except-maybe-for-the-tailplane-2010-09-10|title=New Iranian unmanned warplane not a SA copy, except, maybe, for the tailplane|publisher=Engineering News|access-date=2010-09-10}}</ref> Technical data on the Skua was reportedly sold by one of the Skua's export customers to Iran.<ref name="iaia"/> Overall, the Karrar is not an exact copy of the MQM-107, and multiple design changes have been made.<ref name="archive.org1"/>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
[[File:Karrar mockup - Fars News.jpg|thumb| Iranian Minister of Defense [[Ali Shamkhani]] inspects a scale model of a Karrar prototype around 2004.]]
[[File:Karrar mockup - Fars News.jpg|thumb| Iranian Minister of Defense [[Ali Shamkhani]] inspects a scale model of a Karrar prototype around 2004.]]
Development of the Karrar was underway as of 2002, possibly under the name "Hadaf-1".<ref name="ark">{{cite web|url=http://thearkenstone.blogspot.com/2011/02/ababil-uav.html|title=Ababil UAV|website=thearkenstone.blogspot.com|author=Galen Wright|date=February 5, 2011}}</ref> A subscale model of the Karrar was also seen around 2004. The Karrar is also known as the "Ababil Jet"; the [[HESA Ababil|Ababil]] is an unrelated UAV also offered by the same manufacturer, HESA.<ref name="king"/> Iran said the Karrar took "500,000 hours" to develop, but independent analysts say this is unlikely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/08/irans-ambassador-of-death-drone-is-more-envoy-of-annoyance/|title=Iran's Robotic 'Ambassador of Death' is More Envoy of Annoyance (Updated)|publisher=Wired|author=Noah Shachtman|date=23 August 2010}}</ref>
Development of the Karrar was underway as of 2002, possibly under the name "Hadaf-1".<ref name="ark">{{cite web|url=http://thearkenstone.blogspot.com/2011/02/ababil-uav.html|title=Ababil UAV|website=thearkenstone.blogspot.com|author=Galen Wright|date=February 5, 2011}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2021}} A subscale model of the Karrar was also seen around 2004. The Karrar is also known as the "Ababil Jet"; the [[HESA Ababil|Ababil]] is an unrelated UAV also offered by the same manufacturer, HESA.<ref name="king"/> Iran said the Karrar took "500,000 hours" to develop, but independent analysts say this is unlikely.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/08/irans-ambassador-of-death-drone-is-more-envoy-of-annoyance/|title=Iran's Robotic 'Ambassador of Death' is More Envoy of Annoyance (Updated)|publisher=Wired|author=Noah Shachtman|date=23 August 2010}}</ref>


The Karrar was unveiled on August 23, 2010, one day after the activation of a [[Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear reactor in Bushehr]], by Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]. It was framed as a "long-range bomber drone,"<ref name="Aviation News">{{cite news|last= Vogelaar |first= Rob |url= http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/08/22/iran-unveils-new-karar-bomber-drone/|title= ran Unveils New Karar Bomber Drone|publisher= Aviation News|date= August 22, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826073435/http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/08/22/iran-unveils-new-karar-bomber-drone/|archive-date=August 26, 2010 |df= }}</ref> and is the first long-range UAV manufactured in Iran.<ref name="Borzou Daragahi">{{cite news|last= Daragahi|first= Borzou| url= http://www.smh.com.au/world/iran-reveals-its-own-drone-20100822-13ati.html|title= Iran Reveals its Own Drone|publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=August 23, 2010|accessdate=August 23, 2010}}</ref>
The Karrar was unveiled on August 23, 2010, one day after the activation of a [[Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear reactor in Bushehr]], by Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]. It was framed as a "long-range bomber drone,"<ref name="Aviation News">{{cite news|last= Vogelaar |first= Rob |url= http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/08/22/iran-unveils-new-karar-bomber-drone/|title= ran Unveils New Karar Bomber Drone|publisher= Aviation News|date= August 22, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826073435/http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/08/22/iran-unveils-new-karar-bomber-drone/|archive-date=August 26, 2010 }}</ref> and is the first long-range UAV manufactured in Iran.<ref name="Borzou Daragahi">{{cite news|last= Daragahi|first= Borzou| url= http://www.smh.com.au/world/iran-reveals-its-own-drone-20100822-13ati.html|title= Iran Reveals its Own Drone|publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=August 23, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2010}}</ref>


Multiple sources report that the Karrar has been exported to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/israel-targets-hezbollah-weaponry-syria|title=Israel Targets Hezbollah Weaponry in Syria|author=|website=worldview.stratfor.com|date=Dec 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064057/https://jamestown.org/brief/briefs-128/|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/briefs-128/|title=Is Lebanon's Hezbollah Equipped with New Iranian Drones?|url-status=dead |date=24 November 2010|archive-date= 8 February 2018|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|author=Hassan Abbas}}</ref> The Karrar has supposedly been used in the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hezbollahs-aleppo-victory-any-cost-1412427712|title=Hezbollah's war in Aleppo: Victory at any cost, even to civilians|author=Mona Alami|date=9 February 2017|publisher= Middle East Eye}}</ref>
Multiple sources report that the Karrar has been exported to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/israel-targets-hezbollah-weaponry-syria|title=Israel Targets Hezbollah Weaponry in Syria|website=worldview.stratfor.com|date=Dec 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064057/https://jamestown.org/brief/briefs-128/|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/briefs-128/|title=Is Lebanon's Hezbollah Equipped with New Iranian Drones?|url-status=dead |date=24 November 2010|archive-date= 8 February 2018|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|author=Hassan Abbas}}</ref> The Karrar has supposedly been used in the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hezbollahs-aleppo-victory-any-cost-1412427712|title=Hezbollah's war in Aleppo: Victory at any cost, even to civilians|author=Mona Alami|date=9 February 2017|publisher= Middle East Eye}}</ref>


In a 2011 article, Iranian military expert Galen Wright posited that the Karrar was not merely a target drone, but was mainly to be used as a sort of semi-disposable launch platform for an environment where Iran was unlikely to have air superiority.<ref name="archive.org"/> Another article, from ''Defense Update'', takes a similar view, and suggests in particular that the Karrar could be useful for using cruise missiles to target ground-based radars and naval ships.<ref name="archive.org1"/> In 2018, [[Daily Beast]] reporter Adam Rawnsley said that the Karrar, despite Iranian claims, does not possess the capacity to deploy weapons and is merely a target drone.<ref name=Rawnsley1 />
''Defense Update'' suggests in particular that the Karrar could be useful for using cruise missiles to target ground-based radars and naval ships.<ref name="archive.org1"/> In 2018, [[Daily Beast]] reporter Adam Rawnsley said that the Karrar, despite Iranian claims, does not possess the capacity to deploy weapons and is merely a target drone.<ref name=Rawnsley1 />


Today, Karrar is regularly used by Iran's [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force|air defense force]] for training.<ref name="sdj43"/><ref name="ark"/> Karrar target drones have been used to test [[Mersad]] SAM systems,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EnglishFars/status/462889268084342785|title=Fars News Agency on Twitter|publisher=}}</ref> [[S-300PMU-2]] SAM systems,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/837328907363831808|title=Babak Taghvaee on Twitter|website=Twitter}}</ref> [[Sayyad-2]] SAM systems,<ref name="twitter.com">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/814138938592030727|title=Babak Taghvaee on Twitter|website=Twitter}}</ref> [[Fakour-90]] air-to-air missiles,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1021383601961750528|title=Babak Taghvaee on Twitter|website=Twitter}}</ref> and Sayyad-3 SAM systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/888711488382398464|title=Babak Taghvaee on Twitter|website=Twitter}}</ref>
Today, Karrar is regularly used by Iran's [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force|air defense force]] for training.{{cn|date=March 2021}} Karrar target drones have been used to test [[Mersad]] SAM systems,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=EnglishFars|number=462889268084342785|title=6/6: The Mersad system was test-fired after a home-made missile named Shalamcheh successfully hit a Karrar-type drone|archive-date=March 18, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318051855/https://twitter.com/EnglishFars/status/462889268084342785|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> [[S-300PMU-2]] SAM systems,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BabakTaghvaee|number=837328907363831808|title=Finally #Iranian_Air_Defense_Force #IRIADF tested the S-300PMU2 against Karrar target drone in #Semnan missile test range, #Iran today.|access-date=March 18, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721120426/https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/837328907363831808|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sayyad-2]] SAM systems,<ref name="twitter.com">{{cite tweet|user=BabakTaghvaee|number=814138938592030727|title=#IRGC Navy Sayyad-2 SAM shot-down Karrar drone at 37,000ft over #Bushehr South of #Iran #Persian_Gulf. Exercise Defenders of Velayat's Sky-7|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721120527/https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/814138938592030727|url-status=live|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> [[Fakour-90]] air-to-air missiles,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BabakTaghvaee|number=1021383601961750528|title=For first time in February 2017, the AIM-90A semi-active radar homing variant of Fakkur-90 medium range air to air missile was successfully tested by an #Iran|ian Air Force's Grumman F-14AM Tomcat against a Karrar target drone over Semnan missile test range.|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721114915/https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1021383601961750528|url-status=live|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> and Sayyad-3 SAM systems.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BabakTaghvaee|number=888711488382398464|title=First successful test of Babaiee missile industries Sayyad-3 long range SAM against Karrar target drone at missile test range, Semnan, #Iran|url-status=live|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721120213/https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/888711488382398464|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref>

Iran reportedly used the Karrar to deploy munitions for the first time in a 2020 exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-03/iran-uses-bomber-drones-for-first-time-in-military-drills|title=Iran Uses Bomber Drones for First Time in Military Drills|date=November 3, 2020|last=Sykes|first=Patrick|website=[[Bloomberg News]]|access-date=March 18, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111123715/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-03/iran-uses-bomber-drones-for-first-time-in-military-drills|archive-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>


==Operators==
==Operators==
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Tolloue 5 or [[Microturbo TRI 60#TRI 60-5|Microturbo TR 60-5]] turbojet
|eng1 name=Tolloue 5 or [[Microturbo TRI 60#TRI 60-5|Microturbo TRI 60-5]] turbojet
|eng1 type=
|eng1 type=
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
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|hardpoint missiles=<br/>2 × [[Kowsar]]<br/>2 x [[Nasr-1]]
|hardpoint missiles=<br/>2 × [[Kowsar]]<br/>2 x [[Nasr-1]]
|hardpoint bombs=<br/>1 × [[Mk 82]] PGM on centerline<br/>2 × 250 pound bomb
|hardpoint bombs=<br/>1 × [[Mk 82]] PGM on centerline<br/>2 × 250 pound bomb
|hardpoint other=
|hardpoint other=<br/>1 × [[Mark 46 torpedo]]


|avionics=
|avionics=
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{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


{{Aircraft-stub}}
==External links==
{{Iran Military}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q-cfmzyP_c PressTV news clip on Karrar]

{{Iranian Aircraft}}
{{Iranian Aircraft}}
{{Weapons of Iran}}


[[Category:Military equipment of Iran]]
[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft of Iran]]
[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian military aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft manufactured in Iran]]
[[Category:Aircraft manufactured in Iran]]
[[Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]]
[[Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of Iran]]
[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of Iran]]
[[Category:HESA aircraft|Karrar]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Iran]]
[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft]]
[[Category:Unmanned military aircraft]]
[[Category:Target drones]]
[[Category:Military of Iran]]

{{Aircraft-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:31, 21 November 2024

HESA Karrar
Karrar UAV seen at the 8th International Iran Air Show on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
Role Multirole[1]
National origin Iran
Manufacturer Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA)
Introduction 2010
Status In production[2]
Primary users Iran
Hezbollah
Produced 2010
Developed from Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker

The HESA Karrar (Persian: کرار) is an Iranian jet-powered target drone manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) since 2010. The Karrar is a derivative of the American 1970s-era Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker target drone, probably incorporating elements from the South African Skua, with hardpoints added for munitions. The Karrar was developed during the Ahmadinejad presidency.[3]

As a target drone, the Karrar is used to train air-defense crews by simulating an aerial target. The Karrar is regularly spotted at Iranian air-defense drills, and is believed to be the replacement for Iran's aging American-built MQM-107 target drones.[4] Karrar jet unmanned-aerial-vehicles are recently equipped with Shahab-e-Saqeb (missile) and with the Majid heat-seeking 8 km range missile in order to hit air targets.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Design

[edit]
a Karrar, seen in the traditional blaze orange color of target drones, makes a Rocket Assist Take-Off (RATO)

The Karrar has a small, clipped delta wing mounted low to a cylindrical, blunt-nosed fuselage. It has a dorsal air intake for the engine and twin arrowhead-shaped endplate tailfins mounted high on the fuselage.[2]

A Karrar with a Mk 82 bomb mounted on the centerline hardpoint.

The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to take off and is recovered by parachute.[2] It is also claimed to be capable of air launch.[2] Iranian officials have said the aircraft has surveillance capabilities, but the Karrar has no visible EO/IR sensors.[2] The Karrar is believed to have an autopilot system with INS and/or GPS guidance, and may have terrain following capability as well.[citation needed] The Karrar is capable of both high and low altitude flight,[11] and of day and night flight.[12] It can follow a pre-programmed flight path, which can also be updated in flight.[12]

The Karrar can carry one 500 lb Mk 82 general-purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles,[a] two Kowsar anti-ship missiles, or two 250 pound Mk 81 general-purpose bombs on the underwing stations, or (since 2019) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb.[2][14][15] It is believed that carrying weapons substantially reduces the Karrar's operating range.[11]

Military experts quickly noted that Karrar bears an obvious resemblance to the US Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker target drone designed in the 1970s and exported to Iran before the Iranian revolution. According to a report from Denel Dynamics, however, the Karrar is not an exact clone of the MQM-107 Streaker as some design elements have been copied from the Denel Dynamics Skua as well.[16] Technical data on the Skua was reportedly sold by one of the Skua's export customers to Iran.[2] Overall, the Karrar is not an exact copy of the MQM-107, and multiple design changes have been made.[11]

Operational history

[edit]
Iranian Minister of Defense Ali Shamkhani inspects a scale model of a Karrar prototype around 2004.

Development of the Karrar was underway as of 2002, possibly under the name "Hadaf-1".[17][better source needed] A subscale model of the Karrar was also seen around 2004. The Karrar is also known as the "Ababil Jet"; the Ababil is an unrelated UAV also offered by the same manufacturer, HESA.[12] Iran said the Karrar took "500,000 hours" to develop, but independent analysts say this is unlikely.[18]

The Karrar was unveiled on August 23, 2010, one day after the activation of a nuclear reactor in Bushehr, by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It was framed as a "long-range bomber drone,"[19] and is the first long-range UAV manufactured in Iran.[20]

Multiple sources report that the Karrar has been exported to Hezbollah.[21][22] The Karrar has supposedly been used in the Syrian Civil War.[23]

Defense Update suggests in particular that the Karrar could be useful for using cruise missiles to target ground-based radars and naval ships.[11] In 2018, Daily Beast reporter Adam Rawnsley said that the Karrar, despite Iranian claims, does not possess the capacity to deploy weapons and is merely a target drone.[3]

Today, Karrar is regularly used by Iran's air defense force for training.[citation needed] Karrar target drones have been used to test Mersad SAM systems,[24] S-300PMU-2 SAM systems,[25] Sayyad-2 SAM systems,[26] Fakour-90 air-to-air missiles,[27] and Sayyad-3 SAM systems.[28]

Iran reportedly used the Karrar to deploy munitions for the first time in a 2020 exercise.[29]

Operators

[edit]

Non-state user

[edit]

Specifications

[edit]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2014-2015[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: none
  • Capacity: 227 kg (500 lb) payload
  • Length: 4 m (13 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Tolloue 5 or Microturbo TRI 60-5 turbojet , 4.2–4.4 kN (940–990 lbf) thrust (est.)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
  • Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
  • Combat range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)

Armament

  • Hardpoints: 3 , with provisions to carry combinations of:

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karrar (UAV).

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Iran Military Power (PDF). Defense Intelligence Agency. 2019. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-16-095157-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Martin Streetly, ed. (2014). Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2014-2015. London: IHS Jane's. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-0710630964.
  3. ^ a b Adam Rawnsley [@arawnsley] (20 Jul 2018). "First off, Karrar is not a UCAV. Yes, yes, I know Iranian propaganda has billed it as a UCAV but it was rolled out during the Ahmadinejad era when lots of silly claims were made about Iran's drone capabilities" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Adam Rawnsley on Twitter". Twitter. 18 May 2018.
  5. ^ Introduction of Shahab Saqeb defense missile + images fardanews.com, Retrieved 11 January 2021
  6. ^ Shahab Saqeb defense missile (+ photo) asriran.com, Retrieved 11 January 2021
  7. ^ Iran Successfully Tests New Homegrown Missile System in Drill tasnimnews.com, Retrieved 11 January 2021
  8. ^ "Iran's Karrar Drone Armed with Air-to-Air Missiles". Tasnim News Agency. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  9. ^ "Iranian Jet-Powered Drone Armed with New Air-Based Missile". Tasnim News Agency. 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  10. ^ "Iranian Air Defense Gets Interceptor Drone Armed with AAM". Tasnim News Agency. 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  11. ^ a b c d "Karrar - Iran's New Jet-Powered Recce and Attack Drone". Defense Update. Aug 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08.
  12. ^ a b c Yuri Lyamin (21 July 2017). "Иранская экспозиция на МАКС-2017. Часть.2".
  13. ^ "Iran Unveils Domestically Produced Bomber Drone". Defense News. Retrieved 2010-08-23.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ Iran Unveils New Smart Bombs tasnimnews.com
  15. ^ Iran holds unveiling event for precision guided bombs janes.com
  16. ^ Keith Campbell. "New Iranian unmanned warplane not a SA copy, except, maybe, for the tailplane". Engineering News. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  17. ^ Galen Wright (February 5, 2011). "Ababil UAV". thearkenstone.blogspot.com.
  18. ^ Noah Shachtman (23 August 2010). "Iran's Robotic 'Ambassador of Death' is More Envoy of Annoyance (Updated)". Wired.
  19. ^ Vogelaar, Rob (August 22, 2010). "ran Unveils New Karar Bomber Drone". Aviation News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  20. ^ Daragahi, Borzou (August 23, 2010). "Iran Reveals its Own Drone". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  21. ^ "Israel Targets Hezbollah Weaponry in Syria". worldview.stratfor.com. Dec 9, 2014.
  22. ^ Hassan Abbas (24 November 2010). "Is Lebanon's Hezbollah Equipped with New Iranian Drones?". Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018.
  23. ^ Mona Alami (9 February 2017). "Hezbollah's war in Aleppo: Victory at any cost, even to civilians". Middle East Eye.
  24. ^ @EnglishFars (May 4, 2014). "6/6: The Mersad system was test-fired after a home-made missile named Shalamcheh successfully hit a Karrar-type drone" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ @BabakTaghvaee (March 2, 2017). "Finally #Iranian_Air_Defense_Force #IRIADF tested the S-300PMU2 against Karrar target drone in #Semnan missile test range, #Iran today" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ @BabakTaghvaee (December 28, 2016). "#IRGC Navy Sayyad-2 SAM shot-down Karrar drone at 37,000ft over #Bushehr South of #Iran #Persian_Gulf. Exercise Defenders of Velayat's Sky-7" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ @BabakTaghvaee (July 23, 2018). "For first time in February 2017, the AIM-90A semi-active radar homing variant of Fakkur-90 medium range air to air missile was successfully tested by an #Iran" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ @BabakTaghvaee (July 22, 2017). "First successful test of Babaiee missile industries Sayyad-3 long range SAM against Karrar target drone at missile test range, Semnan, #Iran" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Sykes, Patrick (November 3, 2020). "Iran Uses Bomber Drones for First Time in Military Drills". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  1. ^ (or maybe only one, sources differ; see [13])
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