Shahed 171 Simorgh


The Shahed 171 Simorgh is an Iranian jet-powered flying wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle produced by Shahed Aviation Industries.
It is a full-size copy of the American RQ-170 UAV captured by Iran. It is one of two Iranian flying wing UAVs based on the RQ-170, along with the Saegheh, a smaller version, with which it is often confused.

Design

The Simorgh is an exact copy of the RQ-170, down to the landing gear and tires. It seems to be built mostly out of fiberglass. One researcher says the weight, engine, and endurance are inferior to the RQ-170.
Iran claims it can be armed with munitions, a claim which has been disputed by Western analysts.

Status

In 2014 the Simorgh was called a "cheap fake", and the photos released by Iran were called "crude mockups". Independent analysts have expressed severe doubt over the Saegheh, pointing out, for example, that the flight control system for a flying wing design is very demanding.
Two were under construction as of 2014. In 2014 Iran said that they would have four in service by March 2015.
The UAV was first seen in May 2015 and was shown flying on Iranian TV in October 2016. Jane's analysis placed the UAV at Kashan Air Base.
There was no confirmed operational use of the Simorgh as of May 2018, and it was thought to have been abandoned.
Some sources report that a Shahed 171 may have been shot down in the February 2018 Israel–Syria incident, but the UAV was probably the very similar Saegheh.

Operators