:Qods Mohajer-6
{{Short description|Unmanned aerial combat vehicle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{update|date=September 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
|name= Mohajer-6 |image=IRGC Ground New Equipment 2021 (09).jpg |caption= |alt= }}{{Infobox aircraft type |type= Multirole, including ISR and air-to-ground strike{{cite book |author= |date=2019 |title=Iran Military Power |url=https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Images/News/Military_Powers_Publications/Iran_Military_Power_LR.pdf |location= |publisher=Defense Intelligence Agency |page=68 |isbn=978-0-16-095157-2}} |national origin= Iran |manufacturer= Qods Aviation Industry Company |design group= Qods Aviation Industry Company |designer= |first flight= |introduced= |retired= |status= In service |primary user= Iran |more users= |number built= 210 as of September 2022{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} |program cost= |unit cost= }} |
The Ppehpad Mohajer-6 ({{langx|fa|پهپاد مهاجر-6}}, literally: "Immigrant Drone") is an Iranian single-engine multirole ISTAR{{cite journal |author=Keshavarz and Bunker |date=March 2018 |title=Iran Develops UAS with 'Smart Bomb' Capability |journal=Operational Environment Watch: Foreign News & Perspectives of the Operational Environment |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=18 |publisher=Foreign Military Studies Office }} UAV capable of carrying a multispectral surveillance payload and/or up to four precision-guided munitions.
The Mohajer-6 was unveiled in April 2016{{Cite web |author=Jeremy Binnie |date=18 July 2019 |title=Iranian army deploys armed UAVs |url=https://www.janes.com/article/89947/iranian-army-deploys-armed-uavs |work=Jane's Defence Weekly |location=London}} and entered mass production in February 2018.{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716094844/http://www.janes.com/article/77677/iran-s-mohajer-6-armed-uav-goes-into-production|archivedate=2018-07-16|url=http://www.janes.com/article/77677/iran-s-mohajer-6-armed-uav-goes-into-production|title=Iran's Mohajer 6 armed UAV goes into production |first=Jeremy |last=Binnie |date=February 7, 2018 |publisher=Jane's Information Group }} As of February 2018, ten have been manufactured for the IRGC Ground Forces, and 40 are planned for the IRGC Navy. It complements the larger Shahed 129 operated by the IRGC Aerospace Force. The drone has also been delivered to the Iranian Army. In 2022, Iran provided multiple Mohajer-6 drones to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=Russia increases arms trade with UN-embargoed nations to feed Ukraine war |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-increases-arms-trade-with-un-embargoed-nations-to-feed-ukraine-war/7868778.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}
Design
The Mohajer-6 has a rectangular fuselage, an upwards-sloping nose, twin tailbooms, a top-mounted horizontal stabilizer, uncanted wingtips, straight wings mounted high and to the rear of the body, and air intakes on the top and bottom of the engine. The Mohajer-6 is controlled by two elevators on the horizontal stabilizer, rudders on the vertical stabilizers, and two flaps per wing. Unlike other Mohajer variants, it has a three-bladed propeller. According to a specification sheet provided by the Iran Ministry of Defense, the Mohajer-6 has a wingspan of 10 meters and is 5.67 meters long.https://imp-navigator{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (dot) livejournal (dot) com/638301.html
As with other members of the Mohajer family, the Mohajer-6 is made of composite materials.{{Cite web |title=گزارش|استقرار پرنده های جدید نزاجا در مرز ایران و افغانستان/ ارتش به پهپادهای 2هزار کیلومتری مجهز شد- اخبار سیاسی - اخبار تسنیم - Tasnim |trans-title=Report: Deployment of new Nazaja birds on the Iran-Afghanistan border / The army was equipped with 2,000 km drones - Political news - Tasnim news - Tasnim |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1398/04/26/2056365 |website=خبرگزاری تسنیم - Tasnim}}File:Qods Mohajer-6 (1).pngThe Mohajer-6 has fixed tricycle landing gear, which underwent changes between the unveiling ceremony in 2017 and mass production in 2018, perhaps to accommodate more weight.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HosseinDalirian/status/960496938431983616|title=Hossein Dalirian on Twitter|date=Feb 5, 2018|publisher=Twitter}} It is launched and recovered via runway takeoff/landing.{{cite web|url=http://kayhan.ir/fa/news/125573 |title=افتتاح خط تولید انبوه پهپاد مهاجر۶ مسلح به بمب‌های هوشمند قائم |trans-title=Inauguration of the mass production line of Mohajer 6 UAV armed with Qaim smart bombs |website=kayhan.ir}}
It has a fixed, forward-facing camera for navigation and a gimbal on the chin for a laser range finder and multispectral IR and visible light electro-optical imagery.{{Cite web |author=خبرگزاری باشگاه خبرنگاران {{!}} آخرین اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} |date=May 5, 2021 |title=آغاز مأموریت مهم و جدید برای خانواده مشهور پهپادهای ایرانی/ "مهاجر ۶" مهیای سرکوب پدافند هوایی دشمن می‌شود + تصاویر |trans-title=Ghaz, an important and new mission for the famous family of Iranian drones/ "Mohajer 6" is prepared to suppress the enemy's air defenses + pictures |url=http://www.yjc.news/fa/news/7747434 |website=www.yjc.news|access-date=2022-09-25 |language=fa-IR}} The Mohajer-6 has three antennas, two on its left wing and one on its right, and a pitot tube on its nose. The Mohajer-6 has two main variants. The A variant has two hardpoints, one under each wing, which can each carry one Qaem TV/IR-guided missile or one Almas missile.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/960472837223051264|title=Babak Taghvaee on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|date=Feb 5, 2018}}{{efn|For unknown reasons most of the Mohajer-6s displayed at Iran's mass production announcement in 2018 had no hardpoints.}} The B variant has four hardpoints, with two under each wing carrying the same types of missiles. It has an autopilot system capable of automatic takeoff and landing. In addition, Iran describes it as capable of being fitted with electronic support measures, communications jamming, or electronic warfare payloads.
In August 2022, the Mohajer-6 was reported to be equipped with the Almas missile.{{cite web | url=https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/mohajer_6_with_anti_tank_missiles_and_guided_air_bombs_what_weapons_carry_the_uavs_from_iran-4027.html | title=Mohajer-6 with Anti-Tank Missiles and Guided Air Bombs: What Weapons Carry the UAVs from Iran | Defense Express }}
Performance
The Mohajer-6 has a maximum takeoff weight of 600–670 kg and can carry about 100–150 kg in armaments, depending on model. The ground control station of Mohajer-6 has 200–500 km range. It has a maximum speed of 200 km/h, an endurance of 12 hours, and a 16,000-18,000 ft (4600–5500 m) ceiling.{{Cite web |title=دانش نظامی: پهپاد شناسایی رزمی مهاجر ۶ |url=https://iswnews.com/77766/%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%b4-%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%a7%d9%85%db%8c-%d9%be%d9%87%d9%be%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%b4%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%a7%db%8c%db%8c-%d8%b1%d8%b2%d9%85%db%8c-%d9%85%d9%87%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%b1-%db%b6/ |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=iswnews.com |language=fa-IR}}{{Cite web |last=دور |first=موسسه پرنده های هدایت پذیر از |title=سامانه کنترل و هدایت زمینی پهپاد مهاجر 6 |trans-title=The ground control and guidance system of the migrant drone 6 |url=https://www.pahpad.com/fa/news/415/%d8%a7%d8%ae%d8%aa%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%b5%db%8c-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%85%d8%af%db%8c%d8%a7-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%87-%da%a9%d9%86%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%84-%d9%88-%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a7%db%8c%d8%aa-%d8%b2%d9%85%db%8c%d9%86%db%8c-%d9%be%d9%87%d9%be%d8%a7%d8%af-%d9%85%d9%87%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%b1-6 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=موسسه پرنده های هدایت پذیر از دور |language=fa}}
Multiple sources say that although the Mohajer-6 is designed by Qods Aviation, it is manufactured by Qods' longtime rival, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA).{{cite web |url=https://defence-blog.com/aviation/photos-new-iranian-mohajer-6-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle.html |title=Photos: New Iranian Mohajer-6 unmanned combat aerial vehicles |last=Taghvaee |first=Babak |date=8 February 2018 |website=defence-blog.com/ |publisher= |access-date= |quote= |archive-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212194500/https://defence-blog.com/aviation/photos-new-iranian-mohajer-6-unmanned-combat-aerial-vehicle.html |url-status=bot: unknown }} Both Qods and HESA are subsidiaries of Iran's state-owned Aerospace Industries Organization.
Specifications
Specifications of Mohajer-6 from Qods Aviations and Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA):
Although the manufacturing company did not officially release the specifications and announcements for Mohajer-6, according to the information published by Iran's domestic news agencies, the specifications for two models are reported in June 2017 and August 2022 as follows.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-22 |title=آشنایی با نسل جدید پهپادهای تاکتیکی ایران/ "مهاجر ۶" با موشک نقطه‌زن آمد +عکس |trans-title=Swimming with Iran's new generation of tactical drones/ "Mohajer 6" came with a point-blank missile + photo |url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/728041/آشنایی-با-نسل-جدید-پهپادهای-تاکتیکی-ایران-مهاجر-۶-با-موشک |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=مشرق نیوز |language=fa}}
;General characteristics
- Crew: 2 per ground control station
- Length: 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in)
- Wing span: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Max. take-off mass: 600/670 kg (1,323/1,477 lb)
- Payload: 100/150 kg (220/330 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × 115 hp Water-cooled 4-stroke internal combustion engine, either Austrian Rotax 914 or indigenous engine from HESA){{Cite news|date=2022-10-04 |author=|title=Jackpot From Above: What Secrets are Hiding Inside the Iranian Mohajer-6 Drone |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/jackpot_from_above_what_secrets_are_hiding_inside_the_iranian_mohajer_6_drone_skillfully_taken_down_without_a_scratch_by_the_ukrainians-4432.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |work=Defense Express|location= Kyiv, Ukraine}}
- Propeller: 3-bladed
- Fuel type: gasoline (petrol)
;Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 km/h (110 knots)
- Cruise speed: 130 km/h (70 knots)
- Radius of action: 2,000/2400 km (1,080/1,300 nmi)
- Ground Communication range: 200-500 kilometres (130/312 mi)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
- Operational altitude: 16,000/18,000 ft (4,876/5,486 m)
- Endurance: 12 hours
;Armaments
Four slots for guided missiles or bombs under the wings and two slots under the main fuselage.
The armament mounting and launching system of Mohajer-6 is similar to many other UAV models operating within the Iranian armed forces and many types of air-to-ground, air to air missiles, guided rockets, guided mortars, electronic countermeasure and radar detection and warning pods can be used with Mohajer-6 ammunition launching system.
Operational history
Some Mohajer-6s were reported to be based at Qeshm Island.{{cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018/03/13/iran-relocates-radar-expands-uav-airfield-qeshm/|title=Iran Relocates Radar and Expands UAV Airfield on Qeshm|date=13 March 2018|publisher=bellingcat}}
In July 2019, Iran used the Mohajer-6 against PJAK militants.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-says-it-used-new-IRGC-drone-unit-to-attack-Kurdish-dissidents-595516|title=Iran says it used new IRGC drone unit to attack Kurdish dissidents|work=Jerusalem Post}} The Mohajer-6 has reportedly been used against Jaish ul-Adl in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/iran-unveils-advanced-mohajer-drone-guided-bomb-2023-8-22-1/|title=Iran Unveils Advanced Mohajer Drone, Guided Bomb|date=2023-08-23}}
In September 2022, a Russian Telegram post claimed, that Russia used a Mohajer-6 to guide Geran-2 suicide drones to their targets in Ukraine during their Invasion of Ukraine.[https://t.me/voenacher/29532 Telegram. 23.09.2022] In the same month, Iran had also used the drone to attack Kurdish political party headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iran has supplied these drones to the Sudanese Army during the Sudanese civil war.{{Cite web |last=Hendawi |first=Hamza |date=2024-01-25 |title=Reports on drones used by Sudan's army could be sign of expanding Iranian influence |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2024/01/25/reports-on-drones-used-by-sudans-army-could-be-sign-of-expanding-iranian-influence/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=The National |language=en}} It has been allegedly used during the Battle of Khartoum.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=RSF shoot down Sudan's Army Mohajer drone |url=https://www.military.africa/2024/01/rsf-shoot-down-sudans-army-mohajer-drone/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Military Africa |language=en-US}}
Operators
- {{flag|Ethiopia}}: Reported to be used by Ethiopia.{{Cite web|title=Ethiopia may have Iranian UAVs|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ethiopia-may-have-iranian-uavs|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Jane's Information Group |date=18 August 2021 |language=en}}
- {{flag|Iran}}:
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces{{Cite web|title=2019-09-01 Iran - Mohajer-6 UAV Strikes Targets in Iraq (Michael Rubin)|url=https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/fmso/m/oe-watch-articles-singular-format/323769|access-date=2021-09-10|website=APAN Community|language=en}}
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy:{{Cite web|title=Mohajer|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/mohajer.htm|access-date=2021-09-10|website=www.globalsecurity.org}} 15 known to be in service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/irgc-navy-receives-new-uavs|title = IRGC Navy receives new UAVs|website=Jane's Information Group | date=24 September 2020 }}
- Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25149/Iranian_Army_Gets_Mohajer_6_ISTAR_Drone|title = Iranian Army Gets Mohajer-6 ISTAR Drone|website=www.defenseworld.net| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718104935/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25149/Iranian_Army_Gets_Mohajer_6_ISTAR_Drone | archive-date=2019-07-18 }}
- {{flag|Iraq}}:
- Popular Mobilization Forces{{Cite web |title=الحشد الشعبی برای نخستین بار از یک فروند پهپاد تهاجمی رونمایی کرد+ فیلم |language=fa |url=https://www.irna.ir/news/85140713/%D8%AD%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%AE%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D9%87%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=www.irna.ir}}{{Cite web|title=Iraqi militias parade Iranian UAV|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iraqi-militias-parade-iranian-uav|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Jane's Information Group |date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Militias Parade Under the PMF Banner (Part 1): Drone Systems|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/militias-parade-under-pmf-banner-part-1-drone-systems|access-date=2021-09-10|website=The Washington Institute|language=en}}
- {{flag|Russia}}: Bought and used by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This has been indirectly confirmed on 23 September 2022, when a Mohajer-6 crashed in the Black Sea near the coast of Odesa.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-downed-four-iranian-drones-zelenskiy-raps-tehran-2022-09-23/ | title=Ukraine to slash ties with Iran over 'evil' drones supply to Russia | newspaper=Reuters | date=23 September 2022 | last1=Ljunggren | first1=David }}{{Cite web |last=Helfrich |first=Emma |date=2022-10-25 |title=Rotax Engine Found In Iranian Mohajer-6 Drone Downed Over Ukraine |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/rotax-engine-found-in-iranian-mohajer-6-drone-downed-over-ukraine |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=The Drive |language=en}}
- {{Flag|Sudan}}
- Sudanese Armed Forces{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-24/iran-supplies-sudan-army-with-drones-as-civil-war-continues | title=Iranian Drones Become Latest Proxy Tool in Sudan's Civil War | newspaper=Bloomberg | date=24 January 2024 }}
- {{flag|Venezuela}}: It was reported in November 2020 that technology transfer was likely done.{{Cite web|url=https://old.iranintl.com/en/iran-in-brief/iranian-media-report-arms-deal-between-iran-and-venezuela|title=Iranian Media Report Arms Deal Between Iran and Venezuela |website=old.iranintl.com |date=21 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2022}} A Venezuelan Mohajer-6 was reported to be seen in Caracas in the same month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/iran-ramps-up-arms-transfers-to-venezuela-and-plans-regional-strife-1.1122432|title = Iran ramps up arms transfers to Venezuela and plans regional strife |website=www.thenationalnews.com |date = 7 December 2020 |access-date=6 November 2022}} President Nicolás Maduro claimed that the country can one day export Venezuelan-made drones.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/premium-venezuelan-technology-plan-may-lean-iran/|title = Venezuelan technology plan may lean on Iran |website=www.shephardmedia.com |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2022}}
Former operators
References
{{Reflist|35em}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Iranian aircraft}}
{{Iran Military}}
{{Weapons of Iran}}
Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft
Category:Unmanned military aircraft of Iran
Category:Aircraft manufactured in Iran
Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of Iran