Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane

Associated Press by way of Forbes ^ | 06SEP06 | NASSER KARIMI

[familyop]

You'll see the same photo (as the one I posted with the info) at this page (comparison of the Russian PAK-FA Sukhoi T-50 with our F-35).

[familyop]

See Dallas59's comment #9 for a photo of the Iranian aircraft. Then look at the photos of the Russian aircraft that I posted. ...look like it (the design, at least) came from Russia?

[mkmensinger]

Thanks for the morning laugh. :^)

[familyop]

Ping! Have a look at this.

Iran's new aircraft




Russian PAK-FA Sukhoi T-50

[Khurkris]

"The Blow of Zolfaghar"

Zolfaghar was not amused.

[tet68]

We have to remember this is what they want us to see. Considering their mind set I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this in their arsenal, updated of course.

[Raycpa]

The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan

Which to me confirms the real reason for being where we are.

[FreedomPoster]

Baka!

Nice pic.

[Joe Boucher]

Holy cow, a Eurocope with a jet engine?

[KeepUSfree]

Photo of new Iranian produced Airplane:

[MosesKnows]

only one pilot

Do other nations have fighter planes with more than one pilot?

[samtheman]

The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful."

Would they care to test that proposition?

[rlmorel]

They are Persians, not Arabs. That much I can agree with you on.

I know plenty of Iranians. I like them, in general. I went to A School in the Navy with them, went to college with them, and work with them.

I disagree that they are a modern western nation. They were on their way, but since the Shah was stabbed in the back by the US Government, they are materially no different than any other country over in the Middle East.

Any resemblance Iran has to a modern western country is a residue of the past.

[mark3681]

Am I seeing things, or, in this photo doesn't it look like Darth Vader with wings?

[RangerM]

A fighter aircraft is only as good as its pilot.

I'd put our against theirs any day.

[samtheman]

Of course our pilots are far better trained and are part of a much more well-organized system of command and control. But even if both pilots were of equal skill and all command/control support was removed, I'd bet on one of our planes against one of their planes in a dogfight. How could a Russian-built plane (which this thing is) beat one of ours in combat?

[Tenacious 1]

[God help the pilot that goes against an F18 with that, cause Allah certainly won't.]

A friend of mine is a Navy Pilot. I think he did a total of 3 tours in Afgan and Iraq. I know he was one of the first few in when we flew into Bagdad. He says he and his buddies regret that there is not enough enemy fighter planes to shoot at. He admits they are all a bunch of "Top Gun Junkies" that want to use all of their vehicle capabilities and they just don't get enough live air to air targets to make it fun.

He has some good stories. My favorite is not being able to find a gas station while circling in Afganastan. He kept getting to tankers late and they would be out (twice). He said it was one of the very few times he had to return loaded down with munitions. I guess bringing munitions back to base is embarrassing or something.

[Allegra]

Goodness...you'd almost think Iran was getting ready for something.

Like a good old-fashioned butt-kicking, maybe?

[Tenacious 1]

Thanks for the comparison. Engineered and built in Iran huh?

They look EXACTLY like the ones that the Russians have designed and built.