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Karrar (Persian: کرار karrār, "striker", is an unmanned combat air vehicle produced for the military of Iran. According to reports, the UCAV can bomb targets at high speed. It is the first long-range unmanned aerial drone manufactured in Iran.
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Design and development
The long-range drone was unveiled on August 23, 2010, one day after the activation of the nuclear reactor in Bushehr. Television footage showed the president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad applauding as a blue cloth was pulled back to reveal a short aircraft, painted in military-green with the words Bomber jet on its side. The ceremony was held in a hall of Tehran's Malek Ashtar University. Later, the President Ahmadinejad stated, "This jet is a messenger of honour and human generosity and a saviour of mankind, before being a messenger of death for enemies of mankind."
Iranian state TV said the Karrar has a range of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) and could carry two 115 kilograms (254 lb) bombs, or a precision-guided munition of 227 kilograms (500 lb). The Karrar can also carry four Kowsar light anti-ship missiles or one Nasr-1 anti-ship missile. The Karrar unmanned combat air vehicle is 4 metres (13 ft) long, and is powered by a turbojet engine, giving a top speed of 900 kilometres per hour (560 mph). The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to assist in take off and is recovered by parachute.
According to some western military analysis, the Karrar bears a striking resemblance to the MQM-107 target drone designed in the 1970s. According to a report from Denel Dynamics, however, the UCAV has significant design differences including the tailplane.
Specifications
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
