AR48111 HESA SAEQEH-80

HESA Saeqeh (other indications: Saeqeh-80 or HESA Saeghe) is a modern Iranian light fighter plane. The prototype flight took place in 2004, and the machine entered the line in 2007. The length of the aircraft is 15.89 meters with a wingspan of 8.3 meters. The drive is provided by two turbojet engines Ivchenko AI-322F. The on-board armament consists of two 20 mm cannons. The machine can also carry a suspended load of up to 3200 kilograms. HESA Saeqeh was developed for the needs of the Iranian Air Force as a kind of development of the American Northrop F-5E aircraft. The introduction of this aircraft to the line is to maintain the combat potential of the Iranian aviation, which, due to numerous sanctions, is cut off from the possibility of purchasing combat machines on foreign markets. It is assumed that compared to its predecessor, the HESA Saeqeh is distinguished by the use of two vertical stabilizers instead of one, as well as - probably - better aerodynamic properties, different electronic equipment and the possibility of carrying other types of weapons. Nevertheless, the exact combat capabilities of the machine are unknown.