HESA Shafaq
{{Short description|Iranian prototype stealth aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Shafaq
| image = File:ShafaqFighter.png
| caption =
| type = Trainer / Attack aircraft
| national_origin = Iran
| manufacturer = Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA)
| designer = Aviation University Complex
| first_flight = 2017 (forecast, but not achieved)
| introduction =
| retired =
| primary_user = Iran
| more_users =
| number_built = One prototype
| status = Prototype
| developed_from = M-ATF
| variants =
}}
The HESA Shafaq or Shafagh ({{langx|fa|هواپیمای شفق}}, "Twilight" or "Aurora") is an Iranian subsonic stealth aircraft project being developed by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).{{cite news|publisher=globalsecurity|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/shafaq.htm|title=Shafaq}}
Development
According to reports, the Shafaq will be a subsonic aircraft, but this might be changed. Additionally, Iranian officials have reported that the Shafaq will have a skin of radar-absorbing material.{{cite news|publisher=ainonline |url=http://www.ainonline.com/airshow-convention-news/dubai-air-show/single-publication-story/browse/0/article/iran-struggles-to-field-a-fighter/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Bmode%5D=1|title=Iran struggles to field a fighter|last= Johnson|first= Reuben|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226045858/http://www.ainonline.com/airshow-convention-news/dubai-air-show/single-publication-story/browse/0/article/iran-struggles-to-field-a-fighter/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Bmode%5D=1 |archive-date=February 26, 2008 }}
This two-seat advanced training and attack aircraft appears to be based{{cite web|publisher=defenceaviation|url=http://www.defenceaviation.com/2007/09/iranian-stealth-plane.html|title=Shafaq- Iranian Stealth Plane|date=September 22, 2007|author=Larkins Dsouza|access-date=25 October 2011|archive-date=14 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214141922/http://www.defenceaviation.com/2007/09/iranian-stealth-plane.html|url-status=dead}} on the Russian-Iranian "Project Integral" and is fitted with Russian ejection seats. Reportedly, there are plans to produce three versions—a two-seat trainer/light strike version and two one-seat fighter-bomber versions.
The Shafaq is designed by the Aviation University Complex (AUC), part of the Malek-Ashtar University of Technology (MUT). At the start of the program, Iran received help from Russia and the aircraft was known as Integral. Russia later backed away from this project for several reasons{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} and Iran carried on the project by itself renaming it Shafaq. The Shafaq is designed as a sub-sonic aircraft, and made of radar-absorbing material. It has a large leading edge root extension (LERX) and a root aft of the wing which gives it an unusual circular sub-section.
A 1/7 scale model of the Shafaq has already completed testing in the AUC's wind tunnel and pictures have already been revealed which show that a full-scale model has already been built. The Shafaq will be built in different configurations including a two-seater trainer, a two-seater light Attack and a one-seater light attack variants. Roll-out of the first prototype was scheduled for 2008. The Shafaq's advanced cockpit features color MFDs and a Russian-made K-36D ejection seat.
According to AIO (Aerospace Industries Organisation), the aircraft was expected to be flight tested during 2017, and featuring twin, outwardly canted vertical fins. This type of a tail design has become a favoured aerodynamic feature of Iranian designers that dates back to the development of the reverse-engineered Iranian version of the Northrop F-5, the HESA Saeqeh.{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/65725/iranian-shafaq-jet-trainer-nears-prototype-testing|title=Iranian Shafaq jet trainer nears prototype testing {{!}} IHS Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=2017-03-15}}
Specifications
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=met
|crew=1 or 2
|length m=10.84
|length note=
|span m=10.45
|span note=
|height m=4.26
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area note=
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|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=4361
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=6900
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Klimov RD-33
|eng1 type=turbofan engine
|eng1 kn=50
|eng1 note=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=16780
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=110
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=
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|guns=
|bombs=
|rockets=
|missiles= Sattar, Shahbaz or Fatter missiles
|hardpoints=
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|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Shafagh}}
- GlobalSecurity.org: [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/shafaq.htm Shafaq (Before Dawn)]
- ainonline.com: [http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2006-12-06/iran-struggles-field-fighter Iran struggles to field a fighter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904072128/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2006-12-06/iran-struggles-field-fighter |date=4 September 2014 }}
- aeronautics.ru: [http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/aeronews/conv/article_May_2001_27_106.htm aka "Vityaz-2000": a Russian based JSF]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}
{{Iran Military}}
{{Iranian Aircraft}}
{{Weapons of Iran}}
{{Stealth aircraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hesa Shafaq}}
Category:Proposed aircraft of Iran