Iranian researchers build VTOL drone

Iranian inventors designed and built a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone able to take photos, videos, and control traffic. The Mahnad-41 drone, which was designed and manufactured by Iranian technicians of the Khallaqiyat Kavir Company, was put on display in the city of Isfahan during a ceremony attended by Iranian Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad Mehdinejad Nouri. The VTOL drone is capable of taking photos and video footage while flying and can be used to control traffic, technically inspect electricity transmission towers, and generate digital topographic maps of target sites. It can also be used in the agricultural sector, the petrochemical industry, and dam and tunnel construction projects. The remote-controlled aircraft weighs about 680 grams, can fly at 56 kilometers (34 miles) per hour, and has a flight range of 400 meters. Khallaqiyat Kavir Company Managing Director Hamed Bastani said the low production cost compared to similar foreign aircraft and the fact that it is domestically designed and manufactured are some of the advantages of the Mahnad-41. Late in June, a report said that an Iranian inventor has built a VTOL drone using combined fuel which he said is highly functional for military operations. "The vertical climb Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which uses combined fuel and has a big propeller and two side rotors can fly vertically for 2 hours," Iranian inventor Ja'far Aqazadeh told FNA at the time. Noting that the drone uses a fuel cell and a hydrogen generator system as its power source, Aqazadeh said the plane which is specially good for military missions is now under flight test. In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems, including the UAVs. Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli announced in June that Iran plans to display a new UAV with features and capabilities similar, but more advanced than the home-made Sarir (Throne) drones in the near future. "The new drone named 'Haazem 3' enjoys the capabilities of Sarir and will be unveiled on September 1 (on the occasion of the Air Defense Day)," Esmayeeli told FNA. He further elaborated on the features and capabilities of Sarir, and said the UAV is capable of flying from all sides of its nose, enabling it to make sudden left to right moves. He added that the drone also has a high capability in identifying and imaging targets. Esmayeeli pointed to the missile ammunition of Sarir, and said, "These missiles enable Sarir to confront and combat multiple targets, including invading UAVs." In relevant remarks in April, Esmayeeli had informed the media that Sarir is a long-range, long-endurance radar evading air defense drone. "Sarir is capable of carrying cameras and air-to-air missiles and tens of this UAV have so far been produced and used," he added. Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, specially in designing and manufacturing pilotless drones. In September, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defense units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country's air defense capability. Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defense here in Tehran on September 3, Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defense units with Haazem drones. Haazem is a drone designed and manufactured by Iranian air defense experts in three short, mid and long range models and for air defense missions. The drone can be used as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions. The UAV can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments as well.