Iran unveils new drone Shahed 129 with a maximum range of 2,000 km that can target Israel 2609123

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Defense News - Iran

 
 
Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 11:22 AM
 
Iran unveils new drone Shahed 129 with a maximum range of 2,000 km that can target Israel.
Iran has deployed a domestic-built reconnaissance drone with a 24 hour flight capability. That’s according to a senior Revolutionary Guard commander during interview aired on State TV. The general, who heads the Guard’s aerospace division, said the drone named Shahed, or Witness, 129, has a range of around 2,000 kilometres. That covers much of the Middle East, including Israel, and nearly doubles the range of previous Iranian drones.
     

     

Reuters said the drone, named Shahed 129, has a range of 1,700 to 2,000 km and can carry bombs and missiles, according to Iranian state television.

"The new drone... can carry out combat and reconnaissance missions with its 24-hour non-stop flight capability," said the website of Iran's state-run Press TV, according to the Guardian. "The home-made aircraft is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 1,700-2,000 kilometers... [and] can be equipped with electronic and communication systems including cameras which can capture and send live images."

Iran said it has recovered data from the RQ-170 Sentinel and claimed it was building its own replica.

Iran frequently makes announcements about its strides in military technology, but it is virtually impossible to independently determine the actual capabilities or combat worthiness of the weapons Iran is producing.

     
Iran has deployed a domestic-built reconnaissance drone with a 24 hour flight capability. That’s according to a senior Revolutionary Guard commander during interview aired on State TV. The general, who heads the Guard’s aerospace division, said the drone named Shahed, or Witness, 129, has a range of around 1,800 kilometres. That covers much of the Middle East, including Israel, and nearly doubles the range of previous Iranian drones.
This image from footage on Iranian state TV reportedly shows the new Iranian-made Shahed 129 long-range drone unveiled by Tehran this week