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Iran reveals GAZA UCAS carrying 8 Sadid-345 precision missiles.
The Iranian Shahed-149, commonly referred to as the “Gaza” drone, represents a significant advancement in unmanned combat aerial vehicle [UCAV] technology within the Iranian Armed Forces. Iran unveils the Gaza UCAV equipped with eight Shahid-345 precision-guided missiles.
In fact, this is the second presentation of the Gaza drone, which is more formal than official. On May 21, 2021, Iran unveiled the Shahed-149, known as the Gaza drone, during a military parade in Tehran, coinciding with the conclusion of the 11-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza.
This event was not just a display of military prowess but also carried a symbolic weight, as the drone was named in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
The unveiling took place amidst a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, making the introduction of this advanced UAV a statement of Iran’s continued support for the Palestinian cause and its capability to engage in long-range operations.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking military officials and was broadcast across Iranian state media, showcasing the drone’s capabilities through video footage that highlighted its size, design, and potential armament.
The Gaza drone was presented as a response to the technological advancements of adversaries in the region, particularly Israel, and was meant to signal Iran’s ability to project power and conduct surveillance over considerable distances.
The unveiling was accompanied by statements from military leaders emphasizing the drone’s role in enhancing Iran’s defense capabilities. They spoke of its potential to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes, suggesting that the Gaza drone would play a crucial role in future military strategies, especially in asymmetric warfare scenarios where Iran could leverage its UAV capabilities to offset conventional military disadvantages.
The event also served as a platform for Iran to assert its military advancements on the global stage, particularly to its allies and adversaries in the Middle East. By choosing the name ‘Gaza,’ Iran was making a political statement, aligning the drone’s introduction with the ongoing conflict and positioning itself as a supporter of Palestinian resistance.
This move was likely intended to bolster Iran’s image among its allies and to potentially deter actions against its interests by showcasing a new, formidable asset in its military arsenal.
The Gaza drone is a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV that bears a resemblance to the American MQ-9 Reaper in both size and operational capabilities.
It boasts a wingspan of 21 meters, a length of 11 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 3,100 kg. Powered by a turboprop engine with approximately 650 shaft horsepower, the drone can achieve a top speed of 350 km/h and can fly at altitudes up to 35,000 feet.
Its endurance is impressive, with a claimed flight duration of up to 35 hours, offering a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers. This extensive range and endurance make it suitable for a variety of combat and intelligence operations, significantly enhancing Iran’s military capabilities in the region.
The Gaza drone is equipped with advanced electro-optical systems including a day-vision camera with a zoom capability of 100 to 120 times, infrared sensors, and laser designation capabilities, further enhanced by the use of a catadioptric lens for increased magnification.
The design and capabilities of the Gaza drone indicate Iran’s progress in UAV technology, drawing from experiences with captured American drones like the MQ-9 Reaper and adapting them with indigenous innovations.
The Sadid-345, also known as the Sadid guided bomb, is an Iranian precision-guided glide bomb designed specifically for use on unmanned combat aerial vehicles [UCAVs] like the Shahed-149. It serves as a replacement for the earlier Sadid-1 anti-tank guided missile, which faced integration issues with the Shahed drones.
The Sadid-345 is 1.63 meters long, with a diameter of 152 mm, and weighs approximately 34 kg. It is constructed from composite materials, providing both strength and lightweight properties. This glide bomb features four fixed fins for lift and stability and four deflectable fins at the tail for precise trajectory control, allowing it to glide up to 6 km from its release point.
The warhead is filled with composition H6 explosive, pre-fragmented to ensure maximum damage within a lethal radius of 30 meters, and is detonated by an impact fuse. The Sadid-345 can be fitted with various seekers to enhance its precision, including an infrared seeker with a circular error probable [CEP] of 2.5 meters, a laser seeker with a similar CEP, or a visual light seeker with a CEP of 5 meters, although the latter’s accuracy might be compromised by image processing challenges.
The development of the Sadid-345 was necessitated after the Sadid-1 could not be successfully integrated due to unspecified reasons, possibly related to R&D setbacks from US sanctions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] has been the primary user of the Sadid-345, with numerous deployments against the Islamic State in Syria, demonstrating its effectiveness in real combat scenarios.
The operational capability and future role of the Gaza drone equipped with Sadid-345 munitions present a strategic asset for Iran’s military doctrine, particularly in asymmetric warfare.
The Gaza drone’s long endurance and extensive range allow for sustained surveillance and strike capabilities far beyond Iran’s immediate borders, which could be pivotal in regional power projection.
The precision of the Sadid-345 bombs means that the drone can engage high-value targets with minimal collateral damage, enhancing Iran’s ability to conduct precision strikes against military installations, insurgent hideouts, or strategic infrastructure with great effectiveness.
This setup allows for operations where the risk to human pilots is nullified, providing a significant tactical advantage in conflict zones where air superiority might not be assured.
The use of such drones could shape future battlefields by enabling Iran to engage in prolonged engagements, provide real-time intelligence, and support ground operations with precise aerial support. The combination of the Gaza drone’s capabilities with the Sadid-345’s precision could lead to several potential operational scenarios:
Firstly, in defensive operations, the Gaza drone could patrol Iran’s borders or protect key assets, engaging threats with precision strikes before they become a significant danger. Secondly, in offensive operations, this drone could be used to support allied forces or conduct independent missions in regions like Syria, Iraq, or Yemen, where Iran has interests.
Its ability to loiter for extended periods makes it ideal for interdiction missions, disrupting enemy supply lines or command structures with targeted strikes.
Moreover, the integration of this technology could alter the dynamics of Iran’s proxy warfare strategy. By providing advanced UAV support to allies, Iran could enhance their combat effectiveness without direct military involvement, maintaining plausible deniability while still influencing conflicts.
However, future operational use also carries risks. The proliferation of such advanced drone technology could lead to an escalation in regional conflicts, with adversaries potentially developing countermeasures or similar capabilities. There’s also the risk of these drones falling into the hands of non-state actors, which could have broader security implications.
In conclusion, the Gaza drone equipped with Sadid-345 munitions represents a formidable evolution in Iran’s military capabilities, offering precision, endurance, and strategic depth in operations.
Its future role will likely focus on enhancing Iran’s influence in regional conflicts through asymmetric means, while also presenting challenges in terms of regional security dynamics and the ethical implications of drone warfare.