ICBPS- The Islamic Republic has unveiled its new Kaman 22 drones, which seems to be modeled on the U.S.-made MQ-1 Predator.
Tehran has unveiled its latest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is an upgrade of its pre-existing Kaman-12 UAV.
Kaman 22 has a 1,864 mile (3,000 km) range and is set to carry approximately 661 pounds (300 kg) of explosives.
“The Kaman 22, as the first wide-body drone, is the first large combat UAVs in Iran,” Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh.
Carrying a variety of smart ammunition, the drone will provide forces with a high combat capability, Nasirzadeh said, adding it has also the ability to identify, monitor, and collect information and photograph distant targets, Brig. Gen. claimed.
Kaman-22, the new Iranian #UCAV 24 hrs endurance, and 300 KG payload.
pictures via @mohshaltouki#Iran pic.twitter.com/LlHOMrSLhJ— M.S.A.I (@M_S_A_Institute) February 24, 2021
The Kaman 22 drones are equipped with combat and optical cargo and are designed based on the operational needs of the Air Force and are in the final stages of production, according to state-run media.
The development comes over four years after Iran showed an example of what was apparently a captured U.S. military Predator, which Tehran erroneously described as a U.S. Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
The Institute of Capacity Building for Political Studies (ICBPS) is a non-governmental research institute focusing on political studies, international security, and international relations.
