(VIDEO) Iran Unveils Shahed 149 Gaza Drone with 35-Hour Flight Endurance and 4,000-Km Operational Range
(VIDEO) The “Gaza” drone features a wingspan of 22 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 3,100 kilograms, boasting an impressive flight endurance of up to 35 hours and a cruising speed of 350 kilometers per hour.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has recently unveiled its largest drone to date, named “Gaza,” in honor of the resilience and sacrifices of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
This heavy-duty drone was showcased during a “hybrid operation” conducted as part of a large-scale military exercise in southern Iran.
According to Iranian media, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri stated that sophisticated domestically produced drones operated by his elite force launched missiles equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities during the ongoing naval drills in the Persian Gulf.
The “Gaza” drone features a wingspan of 22 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 3,100 kilograms.
It boasts an impressive flight endurance of up to 35 hours and a cruising speed of 350 kilometers per hour.
With an operational radius estimated at 4,000 kilometers, the drone can carry up to 13 “Sadid-345” missiles in a single sortie.
Analysts suggest that its endurance and range enable the Gaza drone to reach Israel and return to Iran without significant challenges.
To achieve such long-range capabilities, the drone is believed to utilize China’s BeiDou or Russia’s Glonass satellite navigation systems, following agreements signed in 2021 and 2022.
This eliminates reliance on the commonly used GPS system.
Iran has a long-standing history of reverse engineering American technology, particularly drones.
The most notable example is the Shahed 171 Simorgh, based on the U.S. RQ-170 stealth drone.
The RQ-170 was reportedly brought down in Iran in 2011, allegedly using electronic warfare, though conflicting accounts of the incident persist.
Recent images of the Gaza drone show it fully armed with missiles.
Technically designated as the Shahed 149, it is frequently compared to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The MQ-9 Reaper, developed by General Atomics, is renowned for its combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen.
It can carry various laser-guided bombs and is equipped with advanced cameras and electronic warfare systems.
With a flight range of 1,850 kilometers, the MQ-9 Reaper has clocked 42 hours of flight time during a single mission while carrying 450 kilograms of armaments.
Its maximum payload capacity is 1,700 kilograms, which can include external fuel tanks and electronic warfare equipment for jamming or disrupting enemy communications and radar.
Iran’s made Gaza droneUS-made MQ-9 Reaper
The MQ-9 Reaper can be operated from thousands of kilometers away using the American GPS navigation system.
However, the U.S. is currently developing a dedicated satellite navigation signal known as M-code to counter the vulnerability of GPS, which is known for being susceptible to jamming.