Iran unveils newest domestic, fighter plane

[B4Buster]

I'd feel more confident flying into battle in a Cessna 172 than in that thing.

[Waldo]

  the canopy. The plane in the video sounds exactly like an R/C turbine model.

 How about a homebuilt with a better canopy that actually flies 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVMSgwa46S8

[Rich46yo]

Its easy to make fun of this Iranian airplane, and maybe it deserves it. But the fact is its not a good time to be cutting the US Military, or that of any of our Allies. There is a clear cut danger of high tech export and development to 2nd tier countries we really cant just ignore. In my day we were capable of fighting two major wars and a smaller regional conflict. For instance a major war in Europe, one on the Korean peninsula or the Mid East, and a smaller Bush war like in Africa. In 2013 we would be stretched to fight two wars of any size. A war with Iran would be problematic due to the geography, the needs of basing in Host countries, the presence of the oil routes, and the Limits placed on a Blue Water Navy. Theres no doubt they'd also attack Israel to split their enemies.

The Iranians know this and are putting their money into systems that would cause us the most problems. Their IRBMs and ASMs alone would be a major head ache the last thing we need is their development/purchasing of Stealth technology. Most of all in light of their collaboration with NK. Its just a bad time to be cutting Military Budgets. I'd rather spend $$ to prevent war then have to pay for not doing so after.

[cpxxx]

Iran is fairly sophisticated technologically and may indeed have the ability to design something like that. However that's clearly either a fake or mock up and the flying sequence is most likely a model. Otherwise why not show a sequence of it landing and the 'hero pilot' giving a thumbs up?

They must be particularly naive to think something so obviously fake is going to fool anyone? The sheer complexity of designing and building a modern fighter is beyond the resources of most countries even those who aren't under sanctions. Iran may be quite advanced by the standards of the region but this is just ridiculous.  

I find it rather silly and childish propaganda in fact. If I was Iranian I would be seriously embarrassed by this kind of thing.

[Delirium]

In my day we were capable of fighting two major wars and a smaller regional conflict.

In your day we did most of the manufacturing of items on home soil. Long gone is your day, unfortunately. The most we can hope for now is a smaller, more capable force.

[zack1234]

The fact that everyone is writing about gives the Iranians legitimacy

Indifference is their biggest enemy

[matt]

Just look at the canopy on the plane. Do they plan on flying with distorted views and bad visibility?


Not to mention the plane itself. It looks like I could send my fist right through it if I tried.

just noticed the view through the canopy wow 

[Rob52240]

So the country that has the 87th highest rate of literacy in the world has built a fighter plane.

I'm shaking in my boots at the thought of it.

[Rich46yo]

No, I think not too. However oil money can buy you an awful lot. Also, as well, Iran prior to the revolution had a very advanced military and Technology base for the region. Actually the best in the region. These are not Arabs ; Their roots are Asian, and they shouldnt be underestimated. They can cause enough trouble without stealth, which is over 30 year old tech by now. Eventually they will have such weaponry, as will others. If China ever is able to build an effective stealth airframe then Iran will eventually have it too.

I'd say 50% of their boasts are nonsense but its the 50% thats real that worries me. In the future such oil rich nations will only grow in military capabilities. Luckily for us Iran has a habit of making even more enemies then friends.

So the country that has the 87th highest rate of literacy in the world has built a fighter plane.

I'm shaking in my boots at the thought of it.

[Tank-Ace]

The thing is that the 50% they have down is likely just the basic stuff. Oh look, they can get an Iranian-built airframe flying. Its the other 50% of the aircraft that turns it from just a high-speed single-seater into threat to something like an F-16, yet alone an F-22.

Consider, if they're having that much trouble building their own aircraft, do you really think they'll be able to make their own missles with effective guidance systems? What about useable ECCM's? AWAC's? JDAM's? Hows their night-flying equipment?

We've been flying at 1000+mph since, what, late 1950's? F-22 went into service in 2005, right? JDAM's came around in 2000? It took us around 50 years to go from 1000+mph fighters to where we are now, and thats without sanctions in place.


Iran poses no credible threat in the air for the forseable future.

[kilo2]

It always looks like they have these new aircraft / press releases in a crappy gym. Its like a YMCA.

[stealth]

stealth is overrated 

Woah you did not just go there bud.

[Ack-Ack]

I wonder if Iran has enough midgets to fly in that plane, a full grown man won't fit with the canopy closed.

ack-ack

[Puma44]

It's more like one of these......



......and about as technologically advanced.

[cpxxx]

Googling a bit on the subject and apparently they admit it's a mock up and the flying version is a model. Not that you'll find that in any English language version.

It's a long way from any possibility of production. Modern military aircraft are not just about airframes anyway. It's all about the systems, armament and all those millions of details that bog down new fighter aircraft for years.

Pure posturing and propaganda.