Military Projects and Prototypes of the past and present

At the end of 2nd Kish aka Persian Gulf Air show, Hossein Roustaie, manager of the office for design of Aeronautic and Space University said the constructions of Shafaq, a jet trainer capable of competing with other leading world jet trainers will soon begin with the capability to be converted to a jet fighter if there is any customer demand. He said this project in progress under Aeronautic/Space complex in cooperation with Malek Ashtar University will soon enters construction phase...

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The fact that Iran continues to think long proves the project Shafagh, that with the conditions to that Malek Ashtar University OF Technology was presented. The sample, that as in and two-seaters to be built and also different engines both and training and and mehrzweckkampfflugzeug use to find is, points all characteristics of the modern building of combat aircraft up. Beside models of the different variants became also Wind tunnel model as well as photo of a Mockups shown. The parts manufacture for prototypes is to have already begun.

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"Shafagh" - the project of a future combat aircraft

A step into the future is the project "Shafagh", which was presented at the conditions of the Malek Ashtar University OF Technology. The sample, which as in and two-seaters are built and with different engines both when training as well as and mehrzweckkampfflugzeug use to find is, exhibits all characteristics of the modern building of combat aircraft. Beside models of the different variants also photos of a 1:1-Modells as well as a wind tunnel model were presented. According to statements of participants the parts manufacture for the prototype already began. All versions of the airplane are to be equipped - so the official statement - "with engines by the native market". Whether with it self-developments or license and/or reproductions of foreign engines are meant, was not verifiable.

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Shafagh has since been transferred to the MoD's Malek-e-Ashtar Industrial University, where it has undergone some changes including proposals for a chin-mounted air intake similar to that of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. There are now hopes of completing a flying example." (AFM December 2004, p37).

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Iran unveils jet trainer

Following years of speculation, Iran unveiled its new advanced jet trainer on August 10. Named ‘Shafaq’ the aircraft is powered by a single engine. It is similar in configuration to the Yakolev Yak-130 trainer featuring a blended wing, but differs in being equipped with twin vertical tails. A single canopy encloses both cockpits, which are equipped with digital avionics and multifunctional displays (MFD). Wearing serial number 01 the trainer was recently displayed for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and, according to the chief design engineer, it is currently undergoing flight tests.

Combat Aircraft Vol.6, No.3, pg 17.
November 2004

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New Trainer

The Aviation Industries Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (AIO) finally unveiled its 'Shafaq' advanced jet trainer on 10 August following years of speculation about the type. The 'Shafaq', displayed for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), was revealed as a tandem two-seat trainer, broadly similar to the Russian Yakovlev Yak-130 design but with twin tails.
'Shafaq' was first revealed in 2000, and until now only model mock-ups had been seen. The unveiling, chaired by the aircraft's chief designer Shafiqieh Bafarin (the only female aeronautics engineer in Iran), revealed the design to boast a larger and sharper-swept wing than the Yak trainer, suggesting the possibility that the aircraft is capable of sustained supersonic flight. The cockpit canopy is one piece and brief glances into the cockpit itself did not show a central control stick so 'Shafaq' may indeed have been designed with side stick controls. It is also equipped with digital avionics and multi-function displays, marking a major step forward in the technology employed by Iran's aviation industries.
Kian Mokhtari

Aircraft Illustrated Vol 37, No 10, Pg 9
October 2004

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Iran Airshow 2002 - Iran's new combat aircraft waits in the wings

ROBERT HEWSON Editor, Jane's Air-Launched Weapons

Kish Island

Advanced design work has already been completed in Iran for an all-new advanced trainer and attack aircraft, known as the Shafagh ('the light before dawn').

The Shafagh design team, working under the aegis of the Aviation University Complex (AUC - part of the Malek Ashtar University of Technology), has conducted wind-tunnel tests of the design in Tehran using a 1/7-scale model, and has also built a full-scale mock-up of the aircraft.

The integration of landing gear and vehicle systems, such as hydraulics and avionics, is now under way, and the roll-out of the first prototype in scheduled for 2008.

The AUC team, based at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, is working to the instructions of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian industry sources say engineers from both the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK MiG) and Sukhoi design bureaus have helped with the design. In the past, RSK MiG discussed licence-production of the MiG-29 (NATO reporting name: 'Fulcrum') fighter with Iran, but negotiations broke down irrevocably after both sides repeatedly failed to reach an agreement. Beyond this proposal, the real level of co-operation between the Iranian and Russian defence industries is unclear.

The Shafagh is a subsonic aircraft with an empty weight of around 5,000kg, an overall length of about 14m and a 12m wingspan. The aircraft has an ambitious aerodynamic configuration, with a close-coupled layout, substantial leading-edge root extensions and a highly unusual circular section at the wing root. The platform has been designed as an attack aircraft from the programme's outset, and is equipped with seven stores hardpoints - three beneath each wing and one beneath the aircraft's fuselage centreline.

The original design was built to have two J85 turbojet engines, but this has now changed to a single-engined configuration using a J79 power plant drawn from an F-4 Phantom strike aircraft. Preliminary designs for the cockpit layout show an aircraft equipped with three multi-function displays in a horizontal row, a head-up display and hands-on throttle and stick controls on a central column.

Mention has also been made of another combat aircraft project, the Saeghe, which is being developed by MATSA (Iran's air force technology and electronics centre), at Mehrabad. According to Iranian industry sources, the aircraft is a modified F-5 fighter that has been rebuilt in a twin-fin configuration.

Iran has already displayed considerable expertise in overhauling and adapting its inventory of F-5s. Work on constructing new fuselage sections under its air force programme to rebuild F-5As as F-5Bs is also understood to have been translated to the Saeghe. The programme's first airframe is reportedly about 70% complete and work on this is expected to be finished within the next six months. The relationship between the Saeghe and Iran's other reported F-5-derived combat aircraft programme - the Azarakhsh - is unclear.

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