Iran eyes long-range air strike capability
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Iran eyes long-range air strike capability
From 'Janes Defence Weekly':-
Iran is pursuing a longer-range strike capability for its air assets to support the delivery of more powerful strategic weapon systems, western defence sources have told Jane's.
To this end, the sources noted, Tehran is "investing considerable resources in generating enhanced operational aerial refuelling capabilities to support strike assets capable of delivering such systems, most notably the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force's (IRIAF's) Sukhoi Su-24MK strike aircraft.
According to the sources, "aerial refuelling exercises, often originating out of Tactical Air Base 7 in Shiraz, southwest Iran, are carried out over Iran at night and at very low altitude (1,000 ft) using, in general, the 747 tanker aircraft". These simulate operational scenarios that would entail night-time refuelling of an Iranian attack aircraft, at low altitude over the Mediterranean, outward bound en route to the target, said the sources.
IRIAF pilots have, the sources added, learned to make use of advanced radar tactics, terrain masking, manoeuvre and electronic counter-countermeasures in order to surprise opponents, minimise their warning time and limit enemy intercept opportunities.
Hot air or a real threat?
Iran is pursuing a longer-range strike capability for its air assets to support the delivery of more powerful strategic weapon systems, western defence sources have told Jane's.
To this end, the sources noted, Tehran is "investing considerable resources in generating enhanced operational aerial refuelling capabilities to support strike assets capable of delivering such systems, most notably the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force's (IRIAF's) Sukhoi Su-24MK strike aircraft.
According to the sources, "aerial refuelling exercises, often originating out of Tactical Air Base 7 in Shiraz, southwest Iran, are carried out over Iran at night and at very low altitude (1,000 ft) using, in general, the 747 tanker aircraft". These simulate operational scenarios that would entail night-time refuelling of an Iranian attack aircraft, at low altitude over the Mediterranean, outward bound en route to the target, said the sources.
IRIAF pilots have, the sources added, learned to make use of advanced radar tactics, terrain masking, manoeuvre and electronic counter-countermeasures in order to surprise opponents, minimise their warning time and limit enemy intercept opportunities.
Hot air or a real threat?
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Hot air or a real threat?
Two shoot from the hip Presidents squaring up and looking for an excuse to justify their 'response' methinks.
Just hope Mr bliar declines any invite to that party for the sake of you good folks in the service of aunty lilibet.
Just hope Mr bliar declines any invite to that party for the sake of you good folks in the service of aunty lilibet.
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Yup, supplied in the pre-revolution days. They also have F5 & F14 , plus reverse engineered AH1, Bell 212 and Bell 206. Quite an industrious bunch by all accounts. Suspect anyone who assumes their technology is sub standard could be in for a fright.
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Ah! It must be this one...
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/382106/M/
I wonder how serviceable (sp?) those F14's are considering the spare parts situation.
I wonder how serviceable (sp?) those F14's are considering the spare parts situation.
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Think they have about 8 747s, but dunno how many are AAR equipped. they have a KC135-like boom.
F14 spares... Suspect they have reverse engineered a lot of bits and done lots of local mods. Iran ha sa good relationship with Russian aircraft industry and has benefitted from some of their technology in their homegrown/modified kit.
they have even built a new lightweight fighter based on F5 but with a twin tail like an F18 !!
Their big threat is batteries of ASMs along the coast. that must make the big carriers very vulnerable, particularly if the launchers are mobile.
F14 spares... Suspect they have reverse engineered a lot of bits and done lots of local mods. Iran ha sa good relationship with Russian aircraft industry and has benefitted from some of their technology in their homegrown/modified kit.
they have even built a new lightweight fighter based on F5 but with a twin tail like an F18 !!
Their big threat is batteries of ASMs along the coast. that must make the big carriers very vulnerable, particularly if the launchers are mobile.
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allyn; Eh? Is this a homegrown effort from Iran?
microlight AV8R; Suspect anyone who assumes their technology is sub standard could be in for a fright.
per student for a year.
Ah don't worry....only a few of their missiles can reach the UK and until they get Nukes for them...whats to worry about?
Ah don't worry....only a few of their missiles can reach the UK and until they get Nukes for them...whats to worry about?
Until then, I think we need to spend more time worrying about what is going on in Basrah or on the streets of the UK than what Iran is doing to pose a direct threat to 'angry of Tunbridge Wells'.
That said, I think it can't have escaped the notice of the planners in the DoD that the Iranians have a stack of old US kit. Granted, much of it is probably defunct, but there will be enough of it working to cause a significant amount of embarassment should the Hawks decide to kick off again. Can you imagine the questions that would be asked in the House about US troops being strafed by Cobras, Tomcats attacking US assets etc etc I think there is enough to keep the Hawks at bay ..... for now.
The real question is who would you want to sort out Iran - the US Hawks or the Israelis
Sure I read somewhere about the US halting sales of (now exceedingly) surplus F-14 parts, as they realised the iranians were the only guys still flying them. Anyone find a link to that?
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Military sales to IranStopped
Our government has never been known for its wisdom in selling surplus Military gear.....it is not just F-14 kit that finds its way into the wrong hands.
Hit this link for a long article about our Customs Inspectors stopping one illegal sale and later find the exact same boxes (still emblazoned with the Customs Evidence Custody labels afixed) again being sold to an Iranian Agent.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16648850/
Hit this link for a long article about our Customs Inspectors stopping one illegal sale and later find the exact same boxes (still emblazoned with the Customs Evidence Custody labels afixed) again being sold to an Iranian Agent.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16648850/
"Eh? Is this a homegrown effort from Iran?"
No. They were originally supplied from the US during the days of the Shah.
http://www.iiaf.net/aircraft/tankers.html
No. They were originally supplied from the US during the days of the Shah.
http://www.iiaf.net/aircraft/tankers.html
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Iran and the USA
Before the revolution there was a considerable amount of co-operation between the USA and Iran, particularly when it came to intelligence gathering operations against the USSR. One operation involved mixed USAF and Iranian crews flying specially equipped RF-4C's over the border on ELINT gathering sorties to identify suitable entry points for SAC bomber crews. A number of aircraft were lost inside the USSR and one aircraft was even rammed by a MiG-21 to prevent it escaping back to Iran.
What little is known about these operations can be read here: www.spyflight.co.uk/darkgene.htm
Heimdall
What little is known about these operations can be read here: www.spyflight.co.uk/darkgene.htm
Heimdall
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I-ran and the USA
This is a worrying develpoment. I have been worried about WMD being in the hands of the nutcase psychotic leader of a fundamentalist religious regme of dubious democracy for some time. Now not only do we have to worry about Bush but about I-ran aswell!
