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).<ref name="Shafaq">{{cite news|publisher=globalsecurity|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/shafaq.htm|title=Shafaq}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="dawn">{{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 }}</ref>

This two-seat advanced training and attack aircraft appears to be based<ref name="iranstealth">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Shafaq"/>

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<ref name="iranstealth" /> 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,<ref name="iranstealth" /> 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.<ref name="Shafaq"/>

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.<ref name="iranstealth" /> 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.<ref name="dawn"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Specifications==

{{Aircraft specs |ref=Trend<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2114873.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204141644/http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2114873.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2013|title=Iran unveiled new indigenous fighter jet|date=2 February 2013|work=Trend|access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> |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= |aspect ratio= |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= |more performance=  |guns= |bombs= |rockets= |missiles= Sattar, Shahbaz or Fatter missiles |hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other=

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent |similar aircraft= * IAIO Qaher-313 * Hongdu L-15 * Yakovlev Yak-130 |sequence= |lists= * List of fighter aircraft |see also= * Equipment of the Iranian Army }}

==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}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hesa Shafaq}} Category:Stealth aircraft Category:Proposed aircraft of Iran Shafaq Category:Single-engined jet aircraft Category:Mid-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear Category:Military equipment of Iran Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Category:Iranian attack aircraft Category:Iranian military aircraft