New Iranian UAV Unveiled – Is It Based on US Vehicles?
This post is also available in: 
עברית (Hebrew)
Iran has unveiled its new Kaman-22 drone, which seems to be modeled on the U.S.-made MQ-1 Predator, with other features from the more advanced MQ-9 Reaper. According to official Iranian sources quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news outlet, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has an endurance of more than 24 hours and a range of 1,860 miles, although it is impossible to verify any of this. The same source said the Kaman-22 was now “in the final stages of production.”
The development comes over four years after Iran showed an example of what was apparently a captured U.S. military Predator, which Tehran erroneously described as a U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
Iran’s Air Force commander said the Kaman-22 drone has the ability to identify, monitor, and collect information and photograph distant targets.
Like the MQ-1 and MQ-9, the Kaman-22’s straight wing features weapons hardpoints, and upturned tips or quasi-winglets, while the upward V-tail seems to be derived from that of the Reaper.
The landing gear appear to be of the fixed type, in contrast to the retractable undercarriage on the Predator and Reaper. The aircraft also bears a strong resemblance to the Chinese CH-5 drone, according to thedrive.com.
The weapons mounted below the wings of the Kaman-22 have been provisionally identified as four Sadid guided bombs and two Balaban glide bombs. Meanwhile, there is an apparent electro-optical sensor turret under the nose and an unidentified store — likely a data link pod — mounted on the centerline stores pylon below the fuselage.
There are indications that the first example of the Kaman-22, at least, is not fully ready for service. While there is no evidence, or claim, that the aircraft has actually flown, at least one photo appears to show it taxying, with the engine running. However, this could also be a first prototype, a non-flying test vehicle, or even a sophisticated, taxi-capable mock-up.
