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Iran Unveils Locally Made Fighter Plane
Associated Press by way of Forbes ^ | 06SEP06 | NASSER KARIMI

Posted on 09/06/2006 1:45:05 AM PDT by familyop

Iran unveiled its first locally manufactured fighter plane Wednesday during large-scale military exercises, state-run television reported.

The report said the bomber Saegheh is similar to the American F-18 fighter plane, but "more powerful." It also said the plane was "designed, optimized and improved by Iranian experts."

State TV said the Iranian air force had commissioned the Saegheh plane after many test flights in the past year.

Television footage showed the airplane taking off and launching two rockets. The plane had a small cockpit and only one pilot.

"Saegheh is capable of launching both rockets and bombs," the report said.

General Karim Ghavami, commander of Iran's air force, told state-run television that the war games were being held "to show the trans-regional forces that we are ready to defend our country up to the latest drop of our blood."

The Islamic republic is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan at a time when the international community has threatened to impose sanctions against Tehran because of its disputed nuclear program.

During the war-games, which began Aug. 19 and have been dubbed "The Blow of Zolfaghar," Iran has test-fired short-range, surface-to-surface missiles, submarine-to-surface missiles, a new air defense system and laser bombs.

Iran's military also test-fired a series of missiles during war games in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including a missile it claimed was undetectable by radar and could use multiple warheads to hit several targets simultaneously.

After decades of relying on foreign weapons purchases, Iran now says it is increasingly self-sufficient, claiming it annually exports more than $100 million worth of military equipment to more than 50 countries.

Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers and missiles, the government said. It announced in early 2005 that it had begun producing torpedoes. The government has not said how many warplanes it will build.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: armsbuildup; enrichment; iran; nuclear; on; sudan; syria; terror; uranium; war; weapons
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To: Dallas59
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).


21 posted on 09/06/2006 2:32:48 AM PDT by familyop ("You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." --President Bush)
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To: American in Israel; John Carey; Dallas59
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?
22 posted on 09/06/2006 2:36:48 AM PDT by familyop ("You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." --President Bush)
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Comment #23 Removed by Moderator

To: Dahoser

Thanks for the morning laugh. :^)


24 posted on 09/06/2006 2:42:23 AM PDT by mkmensinger
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To: dk/coro; CWOJackson
Ping! Have a look at this.

Iran's new aircraft




Russian PAK-FA Sukhoi T-50


25 posted on 09/06/2006 2:54:30 AM PDT by familyop ("You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." --President Bush)
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To: Dallas59
"The Blow of Zolfaghar"

Zolfaghar was not amused.

26 posted on 09/06/2006 2:54:50 AM PDT by Khurkris (When the levee breaks there'll be no place to hide.)
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To: American in Israel
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.


27 posted on 09/06/2006 3:02:29 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: familyop
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.

28 posted on 09/06/2006 3:04:18 AM PDT by Raycpa
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To: tet68

Baka!

Nice pic.


29 posted on 09/06/2006 3:12:20 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: tet68

Holy cow, a Eurocope with a jet engine?


30 posted on 09/06/2006 3:21:18 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (an enemy of islam)
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To: familyop
Photo of new Iranian produced Airplane:


31 posted on 09/06/2006 3:26:50 AM PDT by KeepUSfree (WOSD = fascism pure and simple.)
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To: familyop
only one pilot

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

32 posted on 09/06/2006 3:37:22 AM PDT by MosesKnows
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To: familyop
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?
33 posted on 09/06/2006 3:38:00 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: John Carey

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.


34 posted on 09/06/2006 3:47:05 AM PDT by rlmorel (Islamofacism: It is all fun and games until someone puts an eye out. Or chops off a head.)
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To: Dallas59

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


35 posted on 09/06/2006 3:50:31 AM PDT by mark3681
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To: samtheman

A fighter aircraft is only as good as its pilot.

I'd put our against theirs any day.


36 posted on 09/06/2006 3:50:54 AM PDT by RangerM
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To: RangerM

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?


37 posted on 09/06/2006 3:54:34 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: American in Israel

[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.


38 posted on 09/06/2006 4:10:18 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (War Monger...In the name of liberty, let's go to war!!!!)
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To: familyop
Goodness...you'd almost think Iran was getting ready for something.

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

39 posted on 09/06/2006 4:11:45 AM PDT by Allegra (Home, Sweet Home!)
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To: familyop

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

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


40 posted on 09/06/2006 4:11:55 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (War Monger...In the name of liberty, let's go to war!!!!)
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