IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel)
Iran (2019)
Detailing the development and operational history of the IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).
Entry last updated on 2/20/2018; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel)
In November of 2013, the IAIO Fotros UCAV was unveiled to the public by Iranian officials.
Iran has consistently worked to broaden its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) inventory in the last decade and these have produced some forgettable and some promising results. The nation has been assisted some by the downing and capturing of Western drones marauding into its airspace to which the Iranians have re-engineered several useful copies of these products for their own use. The IAIO "Fotros" ("Fallen Angel") represents a major improvement over preceding types and is categorized as an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) signifying it has an air-launch missile weapons capability beyond that of the usual Intelligence-Reconnaissance-Surveillance (ISR) roles over the battlefield. First flight of the system is said to have taken place during November of 2013 and it was introduced to the public that same month by way of ceremony.
Outwardly, the Fotros certainly takes on the design form of several Western-originated drones (including the nose which appears to mimic that of the General Atomics Predator). It features a straight wing mainplane arrangement, twin-boom tail unit, and rear-mounted conventional engine installation. The engine drives a two-bladed propeller in a "pusher" arrangement. The nose of the aircraft is bulbous and most likely houses the avionics set while optics and other mission equipment are held at the belly. The undercarriage is wheeled and retractable - the Fotros can take off and land from prepared runways only. Its wings support at least one hardpoint each for the carrying of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) or other precision attack weapon.
Fotros is manufactured by Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). The vehicle is said to exhibit an operational endurance of some 30 hours with a range out to 2,000 kilometers. A service ceiling of 25,000 feet is reported. Of course due to Iranian secrecy, these values can be considered suspect until formally proven.
Outwardly, the Fotros certainly takes on the design form of several Western-originated drones (including the nose which appears to mimic that of the General Atomics Predator). It features a straight wing mainplane arrangement, twin-boom tail unit, and rear-mounted conventional engine installation. The engine drives a two-bladed propeller in a "pusher" arrangement. The nose of the aircraft is bulbous and most likely houses the avionics set while optics and other mission equipment are held at the belly. The undercarriage is wheeled and retractable - the Fotros can take off and land from prepared runways only. Its wings support at least one hardpoint each for the carrying of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) or other precision attack weapon.
Fotros is manufactured by Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). The vehicle is said to exhibit an operational endurance of some 30 hours with a range out to 2,000 kilometers. A service ceiling of 25,000 feet is reported. Of course due to Iranian secrecy, these values can be considered suspect until formally proven.
Any available statistics for the IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel) Specifications
Iran
Year: 2019
Status: In-Development
Type: Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)
Manufacturer(s): Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) - Iran
Production: 1
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 0
Length: 27.07 ft (8.25 m)
Width: 160.76 ft (49.00 m)
Height: 22.97 ft (7.00 m)
Empty Weight: 1,146 lb (520 kg)
MTOW: 2,260 lb (1,025 kg)
Installed Power
1 x Conventional engine driving two-blade propeller in pusher configuration.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 134 mph (215 kph; 116 kts)
Maximum Range: 2,485 mi (4,000 km; 2,160 nm)
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m; 4.73 mi)
Armament
OPTIONAL:
2 x Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) or similar held underwings.
Operators List
Iran
Series Model Variants
• Fotros - Base Series Name
Supported Weapon Systems
