Qods Raad 85
The Radd 85 (Thunder 85) remotely piloted drone was designed by the Research and Self-sufficiency Jihad Organization for the Iranian Army Ground Force. It is an unmanned "suicide drone" that is remotely guided to its target by a human operator. Upon reaching its target, it commits a dive and strikes the vehicle, setting off its warhead. It is described by the army as a "mobile bomb-like drone."[1] This sets it apart from other remotely guided weapon systems such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper deployed by U.S. armed forces, which carry weapons such as the Hellfire missile which is expended and the UAV returns to its base of operations. Intended targets include tanks, APCs, surface ships and low-flying helicopters. Iran is self-sufficient in manufacturing the weapon system. It is designed to be operated in an electronic warfare environment.[2] It is capable of carrying a variety of warheads to fit the mission profile.[3]
Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan has stated, "This drone is like a mobile bomb, and is capable of destroying fixed and mobile targets."[4]
References
- ^ "The Aviationist » Ra'ad 85". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ "Iran builds new indigenous UAV dubbed Ra'ad 85". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/09/28/326567/iran-builds-new-indigenous-uav/
- ^ "Iran's army develops new suicide drone". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
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