Shahed 149 Gaza

{{Short description|Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}

The Shahed 149 Gaza ({{langx|fa|پهپاد غزه}}) or ({{langx|fa|شاهد ۱۴۹}}),{{Cite web|title=جابجایی رکوردهای پهپادی ایران با "غزه"/ آخرین فناوری پهپادی سپاه چه ویژگی‌هایی دارد؟ {{!}} خبرگزاری فارس|url=https://www.farsnews.ir/news/14000428000519|access-date=2021-11-24|website=www.farsnews.ir}} is an Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) operated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It was unveiled on 21 May 2021 and named after the Gaza Strip in honor of the Palestinians' struggle against Israel amid the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.{{cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Iran displays long-range drone, names it 'Gaza' in honor of Palestinians' struggle|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/05/21/Iran-displays-long-range-drone-names-it-Gaza-in-honor-of-Palestinians-struggle|website=Al Arabiya English|language=en|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=22 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522103642/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/05/21/Iran-displays-long-range-drone-names-it-Gaza-in-honor-of-Palestinians-struggle|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Iran's Revolutionary Guard names drone "Gaza," says it can carry 13 bombs over 1,200 miles|url=https://www.newsweek.com/irans-revolutionary-guard-names-drone-gaza-says-it-can-carry-13-bombs-over-1200-miles-1593652|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124121222/https://www.newsweek.com/irans-revolutionary-guard-names-drone-gaza-says-it-can-carry-13-bombs-over-1200-miles-1593652|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Iran unveils new missiles, 'Gaza' drones - analysis|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/iran-unveils-new-missiles-gaza-drones-analysis-668763|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231022404/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/iran-unveils-new-missiles-gaza-drones-analysis-668763|url-status=live}} It was delivered to the IRGC Aerospace Force in 2022.{{Cite web|title=Gaza UAV, new symbol of Iran's long-range UAV power|url=https://iranpress.com/content/40091/gaza-uav-new-symbol-iran-long-range-uav-power|access-date=2021-11-19|website=iranpress.com|language=en|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119001448/https://iranpress.com/content/40091/gaza-uav-new-symbol-iran-long-range-uav-power|url-status=live}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2022/04/18/2697380/flight-test-successful-for-irgc-s-gaza-drone | title=Flight Test Successful for IRGC's Gaza Drone - Politics news | access-date=29 April 2022 | archive-date=29 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429125828/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2022/04/18/2697380/flight-test-successful-for-irgc-s-gaza-drone | url-status=live }}

The Gaza drone is a high-altitude long-endurance UAV similar in size, shape and role to the American MQ-9 Reaper.{{Cite web|title=Iran unveils 'Gaza' UAV|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iran-unveils-gaza-uav|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Janes.com|date=24 May 2021|language=en|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119184921/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iran-unveils-gaza-uav|url-status=live}} It is a larger, heavier, and more capable aircraft than the earlier Shahed 129 which was similar to the MQ-1 Predator. It has a flight duration of 24 hours, a maximum operating radius of 2,500km (1,562 miles), 21m wingspan, 340 km/h maximum speed and is capable of carrying 13 bombs and 500 kg of electronic equipment.{{cite web |title=Iran unveils long-range drone named 'Gaza' |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/iran-unveils-longrange-drone-named-gaza |website=Associated Press |date=2021-05-21 |access-date=22 May 2021 |archive-date=22 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522050958/https://www.fox5ny.com/news/iran-unveils-longrange-drone-named-gaza |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Iran Guards unveil 'Gaza' drone in tribute to Palestinians|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-guards-unveil-gaza-drone-in-tribute-to-palestinians/|website=www.timesofisrael.com|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=22 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522050750/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-guards-unveil-gaza-drone-in-tribute-to-palestinians/|url-status=live}} It is the first Iranian UAV powered by a turboprop engine.