Common practice for growing military powers like China and Iran is to reproduce / reengineer existing foreign equipment to satisfy local requirements and, at the same time, educate local industry on the finer points of military-related technologies. For Iran, this has led to various products influence by American designs and reconstituted for the Iranian military as is the case with the new Saba-248 ("Good Wind") helicopter by PANHA. The twin-engined platform was unveiled in March of 2017 and showcased at MAKS 2017 in July.
The Saba-248 bears more than a passing resemblance to the Bell Helicopter Model 427, what essentially became a failed helicopter product for the American company (it only found two global users in the Czech Republic and Argentina). However, in the Iranian interpretation of this aircraft, the form and function of the Model 427 are all there. The helicopter showcases sleek contouring from nose-to-tail and the engine installations are well-embedded along the fuselage roof. The cockpit - featuring side-by-side seating and LCD displays - is aft of a short nosecone assembly. Entry/exit for the operating crew is by way of hinged automobile-style doors and larger rectangular doors allow access to the passenger cabin aft of the cockpit. All doors have large transparent screens and windows make up a large portion of the cockpit walls allowing for excellent vision and situational awareness. The tail section sports an elevated stem housing the drive shaft powering the tail rotor element. Vertical and horizontal planes are seated along the tail unit. The main rotor component consists of four total blades and the tail rotor - offset to portside - has two blades. The undercarriage is of a simple four-point skid arrangement.
Internally, the Saba-248 is made up largely of Western systems and subsystems. The engines are 2 x French-originated Turbomeca "Arrius" series turboshaft engines of 640 horsepower each. The gearbox is of Austrian origin. Altogether, the helicopter has an estimated top speed of 172.5 miles per hour putting it in line with Western helicopters of similar design and functionality.
A first-flight of a Saba-248 prototype was recorded in 2016. The Iranian military hopes to introduce the product into service sometime in 2019 following testing and certification prior to serial production efforts.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).
✓Transport
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
✓VIP Service
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
Length
37.4 ft (11.40 m)
Width/Span
36.9 ft (11.25 m)
Height
10.5 ft (3.20 m)
Empty Wgt
3,858 lb (1,750 kg)
MTOW
6,393 lb (2,900 kg)
Wgt Diff
+2,535 lb (+1,150 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the PANHA Saba-248 production variant)
Installed:
2 x Turbomeca Arrius turboshaft engines developing 700 horsepower each and driving a four-bladed main rotor and two-bladed tail rotor.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the PANHA Saba-248 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
Typically unarmed. Can be armed for the light gunship role with rocket pods, gun pods and cannon pods.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2
Saba-248 - Base Series Designation.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 1
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Iran (possible)
