The Hamaseh is a single engine, twin-boom UAV.[3] The UAV features a bulbous forward radome; this was later reduced in size as the UAV was developed. The Hamaseh entered service with Iran in 2016.[3]
The Hamaseh can carry up to 185 kg of fuel, equipment, and payload, and has an endurance of up to 11 hours depending on configuration.[2] It is launched via runway takeoff or JATO,[2] and is recovered by runway landing or, in emergencies, a parachute.[3] The Hamaseh can follow pre-determined waypoints to control its flight.[2] Its powerplant is unknown.[3]
The Hamaseh can carry synthetic aperture radar, radar or communications jammers, and a camera. For weapons, it can carry small bombs, grenades, or rockets.[3]
Operational history
The Hamaseh at its unveiling ceremony in 2013.
The Hamaseh drone was unveiled on 9 May 2013. Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's defense minister, claimed the drone "with its stealth quality can avoid detection by the enemy."[citation needed] The Hamaseh was also claimed to be a High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) platform, despite being a tactical UAV.[4] The Hamaseh at its unveiling ceremony was "equipped" with what appeared to be munitions, but they were physically bolted to the wings, not mounted on hardpoints.[4]
A scale model of a modern Hamaseh UAV in 2016 with the redesigned radome.
The Hamaseh was first used during military exercises by the IRGC Ground Forces in April 2016.[4]
^This data is from the 2017 MAKS airshow. Specifications for the Hamaseh at the 2018 Eurasia Air Show were slightly different;[5] I don't know why or care.
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