{{Short description|Iranian flying wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = Saeqeh | logo = | logo_size = | image = Saegheh (4).jpg | alt = | caption = A Saeqeh-2<ref name="janes.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/86085/iran-unveils-new-version-of-armed-stealth-uav |date=31 January 2019 |title=Iran unveils new version of armed stealth UAV - Jane's 360 |website=www.janes.com |author=Jeremy Binnie |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203014320/https://www.janes.com/article/86085/iran-unveils-new-version-of-armed-stealth-uav |archive-date=3 February 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> variant at a defence exhibition in Tehran. | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Unmanned combat aerial vehicle | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Iran | manufacturer = Shahed Aviation Industries<ref name="yeet"/> | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In service | owners = | primary_user = IRGC AF | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 10 built, 50 planned (2019)<ref name="aviationweek.com">{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/shahed-129-heads-iran-s-armed-uav-force|title=Shahed 129 Heads Iran's Armed UAV Force &#124; Aviation Week Network }}</ref> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 2010s–present | introduction = October 2016 | retired = | first_flight = November 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/12/pentagon-iranian-copy-us-drone-inferior|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204035857/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/12/pentagon-iranian-copy-us-drone-inferior|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2014|title=Pentagon claims Iran's copy of captured US Sentinel drone 'inferior' to original - World news - The Guardian|date=4 December 2014|website=Theguardian.com|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref> | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = RQ-170 Sentinel | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Shahed Saeqeh''' ({{langx|fa|شاهد صاعقه}}, ''Witness Thunderbolt''), also called the '''Shahed 191''', is an Iranian turbofan/piston-powered flying wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) produced by Shahed Aviation Industries.<ref name="yeet">{{cite journal |last1=Taghvaee |first1=Babak |title=Shahed 129 Heads Iran's Armed UAV Force |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/shahed-129-heads-iran-s-armed-uav-force |journal=Aviation Week & Space Technology |date=Jul 27, 2017 }}</ref> It is based on, but smaller than and substantially different from, a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel UAV that was captured by Iran in 2011 and then reverse-engineered.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/01/iran-builds-thunderbolt-drone |title=Iran builds attack drone similar to captured US model, local media say |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 October 2016 |author=<!--agencies--> |access-date= 2 October 2016}}</ref> It is one of two Iranian flying wing UAVs based on the RQ-170, along with the Shahed 171 Simorgh, a larger version.

The Saeqeh was revealed in October 2016.<ref name="theaviationist.com">{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/02/iran-unveils-new-ucav-modeled-on-captured-u-s-rq-170-stealth-drone/|title=Iran unveils new UCAV modeled on captured U.S. RQ-170 stealth drone|first=David|last=Cenciotti|date=2 October 2016}}</ref>

The drones can carry two Sadid-1 missiles, externally for the Saeqeh-1, and internally for the Saeqeh-2.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nikolov |first1=Boyko |title=CIA's RQ-170 UAV could usher in a new series of Russian drones |url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/06/12/cias-rq-170-uav-could-usher-in-a-new-series-of-russian-drones/ |access-date=17 April 2024 |date=12 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roblin |first1=Sebastien |title=Your Guide to Iran's Diverse Fleet of Combat Drones |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/your-guide-iran%E2%80%99s-diverse-fleet-combat-drones-193654 |website=The National Interest |access-date=17 April 2024 |language=en |date=14 September 2021}}</ref>

As of 2017, 10 Saeqeh drones were in production, and Iran planned to procure at least 50 by 2025.<ref name="yeet"/>

== Variants == The specifications for the Saeqeh are unknown, but it is believed to have a wingspan around 6–7 meters.<ref name="succc">{{cite web|url=https://dronewarsuk.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/dw-nextgeneration-web.pdf|title=Drone Wars: The Next Generation: An overview of current operators of armed drones|first=Joanna|last=Frew|date=May 2018|publisher=Drone Wars UK|location=Oxford|page=12}}</ref>

===Saeqeh-1===

The Saeqeh-1 was first presented at an Iranian arms expo in 2016.

Iranian state news claimed the Saeqeh-1 could carry four Sadid-1 precision-guided anti-tank guided missiles. The Iranian Government did not provide a demonstration of the UAV flying, or state what its range was.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sharafedin|first1=Bozorgmehr|title=Iran showcases new combat drone, copied from U.S. unmanned aircraft|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-drones-idUSKCN1213C2|access-date=2 October 2016|work=Reuters|date=1 October 2016}}</ref> The Saeqeh-1 had no apparent targeting/optical system.<ref name="janes.com"/>

The first models of Saeqeh lacked the frontal air intake of the Simorgh/RQ-170.

===Saeqeh-2=== Later shown models have a frontal air intake, although it's likely that models with piston engines do not have a frontal intake. The UAV takes off from specialized racks, that are mounted on a vehicle speeding down a runway, and is recovered on a runway with retractable landing skids.<ref name="binnie">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JeremyBinnie/status/1110932257219452929|title=The jet-powered one, known to be the Shahed-191, carries weapons in internal bays and lands using retractable skids|first=Jeremy|last=Binnie|date=27 March 2019}}</ref> According to Tasnim News, the Shahed 191 is 60% of the size of the RQ-170.<ref name="harsh">{{Cite web |title=اینفوگرافیک/ تولید مثل جانور قندهار در ایران- گرافیک و کاریکاتور اینفوگرافیک تسنیم {{!}} Tasnim |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/media/1399/09/18/2406153/%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%84-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=خبرگزاری تسنیم {{!}} Tasnim |language=fa}}</ref>

The Shahed 191 carries two Sadid-1 missiles internally and lands on retractable landing skids.<ref name="binnie"/> The Shahed 191 has a cruising speed of 300&nbsp;km/h, an endurance of 4.5 hours, a range of 450&nbsp;km, and a payload of 50&nbsp;kg.<ref name="nice">{{cite web|url=https://prom1.livejournal.com/1839522.html|title=Иранский ударный БЛА "Shahed-191"|last=prom1|date=10 February 2019}}</ref> The ceiling is 25,000&nbsp;ft.<ref name="harsh"/> The wing span is 7.31 meters, the length 2.7 meters, the max takeoff weight 500&nbsp;kg, and the max speed 350&nbsp;km/h.<ref name="harsh"/>

Fars News Agency says the Saeqeh-2 has been used in combat in Syria,<ref name="janes.com"/> using missiles against the Islamic State militant organization.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

===Propeller-powered variant=== In wargames held in 2019 Iran showed a Saeqeh variant powered by a propeller. It carries its Sadid-1 weapons externally and lands on fixed landing skids.<ref name="binnie"/> It takes off similarly to the Shahed 191 variant.<ref name="binnie"/>

== Operational history == [[File:Benjamin Netanyahu Drone 2018 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Benjamin Netanyahu presents part of a destroyed Saeqeh drone at the Munich Security Conference 2018]] On 1 October 2018, the IRGC Aerospace Force used ballistic missiles and drones, supposedly including Saeqeh UAVs, to attack targets in the Abu Kamal region, in Eastern Syria.<ref>[https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/iran_uses_drones_and_missiles_in_cross_border_attack_on_enemies_in_syria.html Iran uses drones and missiles in cross border attack on enemies in Syria], armyrecognition.com/, October 4, 2018.</ref> Although Iran had first shown the Saeqeh with four Sadid-1 missiles slung under the body, in this incident they released video they said showed a Saeqeh UAV releasing a single Sadid-1 bomb from its internal bomb bays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/for-a-second-time-iran-fires-missiles-at-is-targets-in-syria|title=For a Second Time, Iran Fires Missiles at IS Targets in Syria|website=www.washingtoninstitute.org}}</ref>

Israel shot down a Saeqeh during the February 2018 Israel–Syria incident. ''The Times of Israel'' reported that the UAV's design was largely based on the captured RQ-170; IAF Brigadier General Tomer Bar said that the drone was quite advanced and imitated western technology.<ref name="gross20180210">{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-uav-that-entered-israeli-airspace-seems-to-be-american-stealth-knock-off/ |title=Iranian UAV that entered Israeli airspace seems to be American stealth knock-off |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=10 February 2018 |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=12 February 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2022, the United States claimed that Russian officials had travelled to Iran to 'examine' drones, including several labelled on satellite images as Shahed-191. At least one of these aircraft was pictured in flight near Kashan airfield. The report stated that the aircraft appeared to be 'attack-capable'.<ref>{{Cite news |title=White House says Russian officials visited Iran twice to examine drones |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/16/iran-russia-drones-ukraine-intelligence/ |access-date=2022-07-18 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==Specifications (Shahed 191)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Tasnim News (2020)<ref name="harsh"/> and Иранский ударный БЛА "Shahed-191" (2019)<ref name="nice"/> |prime units?=met<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=

|crew=none |capacity= |length m=2.7 |length ft= |length in= |span m=7.31 |span ft= |span in= |swept m=<!-- swing-wings --> |swept ft=<!-- swing-wings --> |swept in=<!-- swing-wings --> |height m= |height ft= |height in= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings --> |swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings --> |aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=500 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note=100 kg payload |max takeoff weight kg=500 |fuel capacity= |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number= |eng1 name= |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |power original= |thrust original= |eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |more power=

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop name= |prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop note= <!-- Performance --> |perfhide=

|max speed kmh=350 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> |cruise speed kmh=300<!-- if max speed unknown --> |cruise speed mph=<!-- if max speed unknown --> |cruise speed kts= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |range km=1500 |range miles= |range nmi= |combat range km= |combat range miles= |combat range nmi= |endurance=4.5 h<!-- if range unknown --> |ceiling m=7620 |ceiling ft= |g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |more performance= <!-- Armament --> |armament=<!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following specific parameters, remove this parameter--> |guns= |bombs= |rockets= |missiles= |hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other=

|avionics= }} ===Armaments=== *'''Missiles:''' Sadid-1 missiles, Saeqeh-1, and Saeqeh-2<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nikolov |first1=Boyko |title=CIA's RQ-170 UAV could usher in a new series of Russian drones |url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/06/12/cias-rq-170-uav-could-usher-in-a-new-series-of-russian-drones/ |access-date=17 April 2024 |date=12 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roblin |first1=Sebastien |title=Your Guide to Iran's Diverse Fleet of Combat Drones |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/your-guide-iran%E2%80%99s-diverse-fleet-combat-drones-193654 |website=The National Interest |access-date=17 April 2024 |language=en |date=14 September 2021}}</ref>

==Operators== ;{{IRN}} * Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Aerospace Force<ref name="yeet"/> == See also ==

* Iran–U.S. RQ-170 incident

=== Related development ===

* Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel * Shahed 171 Simorgh

=== Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era === * AVIC 601-S * Northrop Grumman RQ-180 * Mikoyan Skat * Sukhoi Okhotnik * Northrop Grumman Bat ===Others=== *HESA Karrar

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Shahed aircraft}} {{Iran Military}} {{Iranian Aircraft}} {{Weapons of Iran}}

Saegheh Category:Unmanned military aircraft of Iran Category:Iranian military aircraft Category:Aircraft manufactured in Iran Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of Iran Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of Iran