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2007-08-06 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

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Posted by Steve White 2007-08-06 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 So, the Iranians have mastered the F-5, have they? That means that they can now build an aircraft we quit building in the 1980s. Also, without up to date avionics, an aircraft of the F-5 generation is only good for CAS in COIN warfare; or as a manned target drone for modern Western aircraft.
Against F-16/F-15/F-18/Rafale/Eurofighter, it is a glorified jet-powered kamikazee run. Hell, I would rather have a Mirage 2000 than an Iranian F-5 knockoff.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-08-06 00:23|| 2007-08-06 00:23|| Front Page Top

#2 The success of this domestically developed fighter plane is another example of the technological achievements of our country

He has no idea how funny that is.

Posted by SteveS 2007-08-06 01:16|| 2007-08-06 01:16|| Front Page Top

#3 Iran has also developed another homemade war plane named "Saegheh" (Thunder) which it has described as similar to the American F-18 fighter jet.

...Insofar as it has two vertical fins and wings.

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2007-08-06 04:17|| 2007-08-06 04:17|| Front Page Top

#4 Did they have it taxi around with its engine intake covers on again?

Posted by gorb 2007-08-06 04:36|| 2007-08-06 04:36|| Front Page Top

#5 Okay, so they have total 2 jets, one called "Azarakhsh" (Fireball) and the other called "Saegheh" (Din, Ruckus). Here they are:

But as Gateway Pudit points out, they look like clones. In fact, it may be a new manufacturing process using photoshop.
I am almost certain that when it would fly (if, that is) a week from now, they would call it something else.

Posted by twobyfour 2007-08-06 04:37|| 2007-08-06 04:37|| Front Page Top

#6 A flight of Westland Lysanders, excellent.

Posted by Besoeker 2007-08-06 05:24|| 2007-08-06 05:24|| Front Page Top

#7 It may be 80's technology, but for bombing your own villages of goat herders it is more than adequate.

Posted by bigjim-ky 2007-08-06 08:00|| 2007-08-06 08:00|| Front Page Top

#8 More like 1960 tech. There has been naming confusion but originally
Azarakhsh = F-5 with minor metalwork
Saegheh = F-5 with twin tails

Now both are called Azarakhsh (1 and 2?). Indigenous production? I think not. Call me when the Iranians figure out how to reverse engineer a 1960 disposable turbojet, let alone 1970 vintage avionics designed for second tier air forces. Methinks the production run will be limited to the number of F-5 airframes they can scrape up.

There is a wood and plastic mockup to impress the rubes. It's called the Shafaq. That looks more like an F-18, minus any flying ability.

Posted by ed 2007-08-06 08:56|| 2007-08-06 08:56|| Front Page Top

#9 They have mastered Photoshop.

Posted by JohnQC 2007-08-06 09:31|| 2007-08-06 09:31|| Front Page Top

#10 Oh goodie. More targets for our AIM-120s!

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2007-08-06 09:37|| 2007-08-06 09:37|| Front Page Top

#11 I wouldn't waste a missile. Use guns.

Posted by jds 2007-08-06 11:04|| 2007-08-06 11:04|| Front Page Top

#12 In fact, it may be a new manufacturing process using photoshop.

Yet another hot contender for Snark O' the Day!

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-08-06 11:55|| 2007-08-06 11:55|| Front Page Top

#13 Even if this is *new* technology, they still need those old-fangled pilots, LOL.

Posted by BA 2007-08-06 18:23|| 2007-08-06 18:23|| Front Page Top

#14 home grown on the tree:

Posted by 3dc 2007-08-06 18:27|| 2007-08-06 18:27|| Front Page Top

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