In February of 2021, the nation of Iran unveiled its latest unmanned vehicle - the "Kaman-22" - as it quickly becomes one of the world's notable producers of drones despite decades-long Western sanctions. On form alone, the Kaman-22 appears based in the American General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" (detailed elsewhere on this site) as it seems to mimic the drone quite closely. The new system is of the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) class which allows it to be used beyond the Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) role and take part in direct-attack actions, supporting a broad range of in-service Iranian munition and special-mission equipment options.
The Kaman-22 is billed as Iran's first "wide body" drone and is developed by the MSA Institute (MSAI) with manufacture handled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) directly. Series introduction is thought to be in 2022.
The aircraft is showcased with a running length of 21.3 feet, a height of 8.2 feet, and a wingspan of 55.8 feet. It relies on a conventional piston-driven engine powering a three-bladed propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage in pusher arrangement, propelling the aircraft out to a range of 1,865 miles up to a ceiling of 26,000 feet. Endurance is reportedly up to 24 hours giving this drone good "legs" in the air.
As a combat vehicle, the Kaman-22 has provision for precision-guided munitions launched from the aircraft as well as special-mission pods and equipment. This includes Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs), Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs), Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs), hybrid UAV / cruise missiles, precision-guided / laser-guided drop / glide bombs, conventional drop bombs, small diameter bombs, Electronic CounterMeasures (ECM) pods, X-Band jammer, and laser-targeting pods.
These can be mounted across the aircraft on seven hardpoints up to 660lb in all.
An optics set is held under the nose of the aircraft in the "chin" position. Mounted on a 360-degree rotating blister unit, the OGHAB 4D/4H set has in-built InfraRed / Television and a laser range-finder.
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Specifications
MSA Institute / Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) - Iran Manufacturer(s)
GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
SPECIAL-MISSION: AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING
Specially-equipped platform providing over-battlefield Command and Control (C2) capability for allied aerial elements.
SPECIAL-MISSION: ANTI-SHIP
Equipped to search, track, and engage enemy surface elements through visual acquisition, radar support, and onboard weaponry.
SPECIAL-MISSION: SEARCH & RESCUE
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
SPECOPS
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.
UNMANNED
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
PUSHER-PROP
Design incorporates rear-facing pusher-prop arrangement, a contrast to the more conventional puller-prop layout.
WINGLETS
Mainplanes capped with winglets, providing improved fuel efficiency and enhanced handling.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
AUTONOMOUS OPERATION
Design features autonomous flight operations made possible through onboard artificial intelligence or pre-programming.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
21.3 ft (6.50 meters) Length
55.8 ft (17.00 meters) Width/Span
8.2 ft (2.50 meters) Height
4,905 lb (2,225 kilograms) Empty Weight
10,505 lb (4,765 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
1 x Conventional piston engine driving three-bladed propeller unit at rear of fuselage in pusher arrangement. Propulsion
Seven hardpoints can support a myriad of Iranian in-service munitions and special mission equipment including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, cruise missiles, drone-launching, precision / guided drop bombs, conventional drop bombs, ECM pods, jammer pods, and laser targeting pods.
7 Hardpoints
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hardpoints Key:
Centerline
Wingroot(L)
Wingroot(R)
Wing
Wingtip
Internal
Not Used
Kaman-22 - Base Series Designation.
Images
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