IAMI F/B-22 (Upgrade Concept For F-5E/F)
??? Unknow
IAMI F/B-44 (Iranian Lion)
This aircraft is highly controversial and may not even exist the why it is described (as information comes from only certain informed sources). This supposed aircraft was thought to be called the Sa’eqeh-80. However, this idea diminished when the actual Sa’eqeh was unveiled. Assuming the F/B-44 “Iranian Lion” does exist, there are two possibilities about the name confusion. First, the sources could have been mistakenly confused the name with the real Sa’eqeh and this aircraft was never known as the Sa’eqeh-80. Secondly, it is possible this fighter is also called the Sa’eqeh-80 along with the other aircraft. In any case, this fighter is supposedly referred to by American sources with the code name F/B-44 “Iranian Lion” and this designation will be used by me to avoid confusion.
Very little is known about this fighter, other then that it has twin fins, twin engines, a dual seat configuration, it is a medium size fighter in a class between the YF-17 (P-530) Cobra and F-14 Tomcat, and is truly a new fighter. It supposedly has a basic configuration similar to the F/A-18 Hornet and MiG-29 Fulcrum. The aircraft derives much from the Northrop YF-17 project, in which the Shah was heavily connected. Actually, blue prints, designs, and manuals are said to have made there way into Iran before the revolution. Also, the F/B-44 incorporates much of the F-14 design.
The only official Iranian comments on the project are that is a blend of eastern and western technology and that it doesn’t resemble any aircraft in Iranian service or any where in the world. However, some speculate that these comments were actually referring to the Sa’eqeh. According to many, the F/B-44 “Iranian Lion” is an ultimate and definitive fighter aircraft to actually replace Iranian F-4s and possibly later on F-14s. As it is, Iran will definitely need to introduce a new main multi-role fighter-bomber type, equipped with medium and long-range air-to-air weapons by the end of this decade. Either Iran starts importing MiG-29Ms/J-10s in the near future (which is very unlikely) or we can expect that the Iranians will develop the F/B-44 into such a powerful fighter.
Development of the F/B-44 is believed to have begun in the early 1990’s. As it is, the F/B-44 supposedly incorporates a heavily upgrade and modified Iranian digital version of the AWG-9, the long range radar/ fire control computing system used in the F-14. It is also believe to be compatible with the AIM-54 Phoenix missile system. Many reverse engineered parts of other Iranian fighters, especially the F-14, are purportedly used in the construction of the F/B-44.
The fighter possibly uses two Iranian built upgraded J-79 engines (used in F-4) or two Klimov Rd-33 engines (used in MiG-29). Interestingly enough, this could possibly be the Iranian fighter Jane’s was talking about, with two Rd-33 engines, not the Azarakhsh. As if 2001, there were two F/B-44 proto-types flying and well in to the flight test program. According to current plans, the F/B-44 should enter large scale operational service somewhere between the years 2008 and 2010.
IAMI M-ATF
The M-ATF was the original collaborated project between Iran and Russia, derived from the Integral concept. When the Russians left the program, Iran dropped the program for a simplified variation, which was later named Shafaq. This was not the end of the M-ATF, however. Suspicious were aroused when a model of the M-ATF was shown at Kish 2005 next to the Shafaq model. Now, several independent and varied sources have claimed that Iran has revived the M-ATF and is developing it independently. At the current time, however, there is no confirmation or evidence that would back such claims. More likely Iran is using features and design traits from the M-ATF in the design of the single seat fighter variant of the Shafaq. Possibly, this could result in a fused together M-ATF and Shafaq hybrid, which would not be that unconceivable or difficult considering the Shafaq was originally derived from the M-ATF.
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Saeqeh,Saeqeh-80 (Lightning) Azarakhsh-2
The next step in the Iranian fighter evolutionary trail is the Sa’eqeh or Sa’eqeh-80. The “80” which was later dropped stood for the Iranian year of 1380, the year in which the aircraft was planned first to fly. It is important to note that the Sa’eqeh, unlike the Azarakhsh, was developed by MATSA (with design help from SSAFU) not IACI. In a nut shell, the Sa’eqeh could be summarized as a very significant upgrade to the Azarakhsh, an “Azarakhsh-2”, including all the improvements of the Azarakhsh. In fact, this project is possibly also known as Azarakhsh-2 in Iranian official circles. The Iranians simply like new names and most of the time when an aircraft design is modified or upgraded it takes a new name. To understand this one must need only look at Tazarve trainer project, which in its different forms over time, has been called Ra’ad, Dorna, Tondar, and Tazarve. Some names that pop into my head when thinking of the Sa’eqeh are “Super F-5”, “F-5 on steroids”, and “what you get when a F-5E and YF-17 have babies.” (Sorry, just a little Iranian aerospace humor.)
One noticeable difference on the Sa’eqeh is that the single F-5E tail fin of the Azarakhsh was replaced by twin F/A-18 style composite tail fins. It is believed that the Sa’eqeh incorporates a fly by wire system, required due to the aerodynamic unstableness created by the new tail fins. More significantly, it is believed that the J-85 turbojet engines used in the Azarakhsh were replaced with Iranian made afterburning turbofan J-85 engines with substantial technology from the TF-30 engine. These engines have considerably more thrust than their older counterparts.
The exact reasons why Iran decided to adopt a twin tail fin design is currently unknown. However, some reasons that contributed to this decision are believed to be a reduced radar cross section, enhanced performance (shorter take-off, improved yaw, etc.), needed stability due to increased engine thrust, and more room for extra fuel cells. It is also noted that the Sa’eqeh has larger composite wings than the Azarakhsh, which improves its performance a great deal in many different aspects and provides room for extra fuel storage. In addition, the Sa’eqeh integrates a stronger and slightly more extended range radar than the Azarakhsh.
The first Sa’eqeh proto-type made its maiden flight on May 30, 2004. Since then the Sa’eqeh has been undergoing a series flight and capability tests. It is said to demonstrate significantly improved take-off and turning performance over earlier models. Depending on how successful the Sa’eqeh is in its test program, it could enter series production. Currently, only a very limited number of the aircraft are being assembled with some added improvements such as digital glass cockpits and possibly canards. One must note that even though the Sa’eqeh is a true capable fighter, it is still rather only a technology demonstrator and model for experience rather than an endpoint or final ultimate design. In other words, the Sa’eqeh is not meant to become a new workhorse of the Iranian Air Force nor will it replace any fighters currently in Iranian service. It is just another stop in the evolutionary trail of Iranian fighter programs..
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