DTN News: First Squadron Of Iranian Saeqeh Fighters To Fly Over Tehran On Tuesday

DTN News: First Squadron Of Iranian Saeqeh Fighters To Fly Over Tehran On Tuesday

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - September 20, 2009: Iran will display its military might during an aerial maneuver, in which the first-ever squadron of Iran's domestically-made Saegheh (Thunderbolt) aircraft will partake.

The Saeqheh is the most advanced F-5 modification project known, intended to learn about the effects of twin tail on the aircraft's performance. It was developed by MATSA Air Force Technology and Electronic Center and the Shahid Sattari Air Force University of Tehran, starting in 1998, first flight occurring on 30 May 2004. In July 2004 Iran showed a video and pictures of the latest prototype fighter jet, called Saeqeh, or Saeqeh-80 (after the Islamic year 1380). The aircraft resembled an F-5E Tiger II with a pair of canted vertical stabilizers, resembling those of the American F/A-18. The similarities were reinforced by the announcement that this new aicraft was a follow on to the Azarakhsh (Thunder) aircraft, which also bore significant similarities to the F-5E.

The Islamic Republic Air Force (IRAF) had earlier unveiled its advanced Saegheh (Thunderbolt) aircraft; however IRAF commander Brigadier General Hassan Shah-Safi said on Saturday that the country has now manufactured enough units of the aircraft to form a squadron.

"The maneuver was initially scheduled for April 18, however it was rescheduled for September 22, due to weather conditions," Brigadier General Shah-Safi was quoted by Fars News as saying. The Air Force commander added that other domestically-built aircraft such as Azarakhsh (Lightning) and Iran-140 will also participate in the aerial maneuver.

Brigadier General Shah-Safi referred to manufacturing of a squadron of Saegheh (Thunderbolt) aircraft in the country as an "important move," which helped "transcend Iran's status in the world's aerial arena."

"The Air Force and the Defense Ministry proved that with proper planning and management, Iran can also be successful in an important field such as aircraft manufacturing," he said.