Posted on 04/04/2006 10:04:02 PM PDT by demlosers
TEHERAN: Iran successfully tested a "super-modern flying boat" yesterday and the land-to-sea Kowsar missile that military analysts say is designed to sink ships in the Gulf, state media reported.
The tests came in the middle of the country's Gulf war games that started on Friday. State radio said the Kowsar could evade radar and that its guidance system could not be scrambled.
The Defence Ministry was not immediately able to give details of a "flying boat" that was shown on television. The small propeller-driven aircraft floated on a trimaran hull until it took off and flew low over the surface of the water. State television said it could reach speeds of 100 knots.
"A super-modern flying boat was successfully tested in the 'Great Prophet' war game in Persian Gulf waters," state television said.
"Because of its hull's advanced design, no radar at sea or in the air can locate it. It can lift out of the water. It is wholly domestically built and can launch missiles with precise targeting while moving."
The military exercise is being held as pressure from the West, especially from the United States, rises on its nuclear programme.
Iran's military technology might not be highly advanced, but analysts say Iran would not need much know-how to cause chaos in vital oil shipping channels.
They say Iran could be testing arms in the Strait of Hormuz, a key tanker nexus, to dissuade Israel and the United States from taking military action against nuclear-power sites.
The United States said it was possible Iran had developed weapons that could evade sonar and radar but warned the Islamic Republic had a tendency to "boast and exaggerate."
Earlier in the war games, Iran said it had tested a radar-evading rocket and the Hoot (whale) underwater missile which could outpace any enemy warship.
On Monday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard test-fired a torpedo it said was being mass-produced in Iran.
"With intelligent missile terminals, Iran is capable of confronting any assaults from forces outside the region," the official IRNA news agency quoted Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Yahya Rahim as saying.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki dismissed the West's concerns about developments in Iran's missile capabilities. "Iran has never attacked any country. Our military doctrine is defensive doctrine," he told reporters.
Source: China Daily
That is an American flying Boat. Done quite a few years earlier. Howard Hughes was in the cockpit when that picture was taken. The world had to wait for the 747 to get an airplane with larger proportions.
I visited the museum where that is stored. Largest radial engines ever made.
The government should have bought a hundred of them and really opened up the Alaskan interior. You probably know of the political trials at the time, Howard finished paying for the construction of that one himself.
Bwahaha
Thasts exacly what I was thinking, the next thing the Iranians will showcase will be their Sharks with Frickin laser beams!!! Yea Baby
LOL :-) True. . .I guess flying bathtub technology has stood still since the 60s.
The Delta Dart was far more advanced than the “Flying boat”. Theirs is propeller driven and only goes 100 knots. And if they think that the E-2 Hawkeye and S-2 Viking radars can’t see them, they are in for a very rude surprise.
Ooooh, 100 knots!
I guess Boris will be trotting out this cold war Sea Monster sometime,maybe zip out to the med to frighten a few cruise ships?Or low cover for the arthritic bomber fleet?
I’ve always had a fondness for radial engines. I think they are underrated. I’ve immagined an eight cylinder air cooled radial two stroke diesel. I’m not sure how the crankcase would look in a two stroke radial though. But someone should make one. I think it would be amazing.
WOW , what a weapon.
Salt water will ruin that “vessel” very quickly. It’ll be retired within three years.
Truth is , we can wipe out Iran’s Air Force in 24 hours if we wanted to .
Look what I can do
Damn Looter guy was there during Spruce Goose flying That funny
Question how old is Looter guy
Different sort of thing. The "Iranian" "flying boat" appears to actually be a Wing in Ground Effect" Vehicle. Probably Russian. It looks a lot like this one
The Russians had a few Really Big Ones, big enough to mount cruise missiles on, big Russian type cruise missiles.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.