Hi, this thread will mostly be about drafting an potential Iranian Air TT as well as a discussion on Iranian aircraft (both domestic and foreign), possible Iranian COIN aircraft and Iranian air weapons ordinances. Once there is enough data collected on it a proper Iranian Air TT will be posted in the near future.
This is a draft on how a hypothetical Iranian Air TT will look like.
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You can see from the proposed TT is that the later TT aren’t much of a problem in terms in the amount of aircraft in them it’s the Earlier Tiers (more specifically Tier’s IV-VI) that are lacking in content
Aircraft
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Tier IV
F-47D-30
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This is identical to the P-47D-30 in the Italian and Chinese TT’s, Iran got 60 F-47’s in 1948 and operated them until the 1960’s. This will be a potential starting aircraft
Hurricane Mk.IIC
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This is identical to the Hurricane Mk.IIC that other countries operated (E.g: Egypt and Yugoslavia), it will be another potential starting aircraft. Iran got their Hurricane’s
O-2A
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The Shahist Iranian Airforce brought 12 O-2A Skymasters for Observation and COIN purposes (you can see the hardpoints in the pic below), interestingly enough the O-2A can also equip countermeasures so this could potentially be the lowest br aircraft to mount flares
EMB-212A
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Iran obtained 25 Tucanoes, used primarily as a combat trainer though they were used in COIN and anti-drug smuggling operations during 2004 operating in Afghanistan. They were handed to the Air arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard in 2009
Normally the Iranians used 2 hardpoints on them however it can equip up to four hardpoints mainly consisting of rocketpods, bombs, and MG gunpods
Hurricane T Mk.IIC (Premium)
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Essentially this is a two-seat combat trainer of the Hurricane Mk.IIC, other than the extra pilot and being a little heavier, the Hurricane T Mk.IIC is functionally identical to the Hurricane Mk.IIC
Tier V
F-86F-25
F-86F-30
F-84G-26-RE
T-33A
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Iran obtained their first batch of T-33A’s in 1956 and a second batch in 1958, Iranian T-33’s can equip 2 50.cals, 2 1000Ibs bombs or 2 FFAR rocketpods
F-86F-30 Golden Crown (Premium/Pre Order)
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The Golden Crown is the Imperial Iranian Airforce’s top aerobatics team, they got their first F-86F’s in 1961 and operated the model until 1971 when they were replaced by F-5A’s
F-86F-25 ONUC (Premium)
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Iran sent a squadron of F-86’s to the Congo for peacekeeping purposes, because of this this specific F-86F will lack napalm ordinances
Tier VI
Cl-13 Mk.6
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At least 90 ex-Luftwaffe Cl-13’s arrived in Iran, the Shahist Iranian Airforce only used them for a very short time at most since they were intended for the Pakistani Airforce and Iran is more interested in acquiring new aircraft like the F-5A Freedom Fighter for example anyways
F-4D (1968)
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This represents F-4D’s when they were first brought during the Imperial Iranian Years because of that it will be identical to F-4D’s operated by the US
F-6C
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Iran obtained approx. 100 F-6C’s directly from the Chinese, the exact details of F-6’s in Iranian service is unknown, an interesting fact is that the Iraqi Airforce also obtained F-6’s primarily from Egypt so there is a chance that Iranian F-6’s fought against Iraqi F-6’s during the Iran-Iraq war
F-5A
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This suppose to represent the F-5’s operated by the Shahist regime, because of that they are functionally identical to the Event F-5A in the US TT
MiG-23BN
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Iran obtained 12 MiG-23’s (mostly MiG-23BN’s. A handful of ML’s were obtained by Iran through this way as well) from Fleeing Iraqi pilots in 1991, currently they are in reserve/storage
Su-20
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Iran obtained 4 Su-20’s from Fleeing Iraqi pilots in 1991. Functions as a transitionary aircraft between the Su-7BMK and the Su-22’s having the AGM’s, S-25’s, S-8’s Unguided rockets and the extra hardpoints of the Su-22 but lack any AAM missiles of the Su-7BMK
Tier VII
F-4E (1968)
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Like with the F-4D (1968) it is a F-4E when it is being operated during the Shahist era, because of that it will be mostly identical to the US F-4E with maybe missing the top preforming radar AAM
F-4D (2013)
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The Iranian Air force recognizing that their fleet of F-4’s are becoming increasingly becoming obsolete decided to launch an modernization program for their F-4’s, using an more modern radar of Chinese origin, Chinese AAM’s like the PL-5E & PL-11 (this ontop of the Fattir AAM’s) as well as domestically built Iranian guided bombs and guided rockets like the Zoobin, Qadr and Qased. Finally this specific F-4D will lack any kind of cannon so it is more reliant on AAM’s for Air and Air combat mainly due to the fact that the F-4’s are relegated as a bomber and Interdiction aircraft. The modifications are still ongoing, some of these modified F-4 saw action against ISIS in neighbouring Iraq and Syria
F-4E (2013)
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Essentially the Same mods found on the F-4D (2013) but on the F-4E. It would also get access to more powerful AAM weaponry such as R-73’s and PL-12’s
F-7N
Mirage F1EQ
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23 Mirage F1 was flowing to Iran from Iraq by fleeing Iraqi pilots during the outbreak of the Gulf War. The Iranians immediately took the Mirage F1 and put into service which they still serve to this day
The F1EQ and the Two-Seater F1BQ variants are a semi-unique variant of the Mirage F1 since they were modified to carry ASM’s in the form of Exocet ASM’s as a requirement by the Iraqi airforce
F-5E
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Like with the F-5A, this is suppose to represent the F-5E’s operated by the Shahist regime, because of that they are functionally identical to the F-5E in the US TT
Azarakhsh
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The Azarakhsh is Iran’s first attempt to reverse-engineer the F-5E alongside the Simorgh (an reverse engineered F-5B) started in 1997 and ending in 2006, 6 confirmed Azarakhsh’s were built, there is very few differences from the regular F-5E’s inspite of this there are a few, firstly the Azarakhsh can use Fattir and PL-5 AAM’s due to the combination of Iran’s ever depleting supply of AIM-9’s and Iran using Fattir and PL-5 missiles, the other main difference is that the Azarakhsh marks as the first TT F-5/F-5 derivative to use a ballistics computer. Finally the Azarakhsh can utilize a pair of Zoobin PGM’s
Su-25K
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Iran obtained a total of 10 Su-25’s from Iraq from fleeing Iraqi pilots (7 Su-25K’s and 3 Su-25UBK’s) all Su-25’s were eventually transferred to the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace forces, 3 Su-25’s were intended to be sent back to the Iraqi Airforce in 2014.
Yasin
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The Yasin is a domestically built Advanced trainer, first flown in 2018, there is currently a proposal to make a dedicated Light Attacker variant of the Yasin. Despite this the Advanced trainer can still use weapon ordinances on 5 hardpoints (one fuselage and 4 wing)
Su-25UBK
Su-22M4
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Iran obtained a total of 40 Su-22’s from fleeing Iraqi pilots, currently they are in service with both the Iranian Airforce and the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace forces. The Iranian’s also did some modifications mainly the ability to carry Iranian weapons like the Iranian Guided bombs, missiles (Zoobin, Qadr, Qased and Bina) and rockets (Fajr-4 & Fajr-4CL)
RF-4E (2013) (Premium)
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The RF-4E was the dedicated Reece variant of the F-4E obtained back in 1968 alongside the other F-4’s. Originally it was unarmed however it was upgraded to use weapon loadouts. Functionally identical to the F-4D (2013) but with additional CM
F-7M (Premium)
Tier VIII
F-14A
F-14AM
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Due to several factors Iran decided to launch a project to upgrade and modernize their existing F-14’s, these upgrades includes: Giving the Ability to use the Sedljil, Farkour 90, Fattir and R-73 AAM’s, Qadr and Qased Guided bombs. Currently 2 confirmed Iranian F-14’s are upgraded to F-14AM’s
MiG-29A
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Iran operated around a total of 44 MiG-29’s with 19 currently being in operational condition (MiG-29A’s and MiG-29UB’s), Iranian MiG-29’s were modified to carry the Nasr-1 ASM as well as being tested for the Fakour-90 BVR AAM making Iranian MiG-29’s unique from the other earlier model MiG-29 due to their long-range and anti-shipping capabilities
Saeqeh
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The Saeqeh is Iran’s second attempt at a domestic fighter based on the F-5, this one however is more ambitious, firstly the Saeqeh has an extra vertical stabilizer, to make space for the extra vertical stabilizer both are placed on an angle. Because of this major design choice it will give the Saeqeh the most unique flight profile in comparison to other F-5’s. The second major difference is the increasing amount of Chinese and Iranian secondary weapons, firstly the Saeqeh will unable to use AIM-9’s instead the starting missile will be the Fattir AAM and the final missile will be the PL-5E an all aspect version of the PL-5, the Saeqeh can still use FFAR, Zuni and US made bombs however. Second Major difference is that the Saeqeh can use Iranian guided weapons in the form of the Zoobin PGM (Possibly the Bina as well). The project started in the early 2000’s with the first flight happening around July 2004 and officially put into service in September 2007, the project is still ongoing though the Iranians moved to the Saeqeh-2 project which is similar to the original Saeqeh project except it involves a two-seater variant as well a proposal to upgrade all of Iran’s operationally remaining F-5F’s into Saeqeh-2’s. 6 Saeqeh’s are confirmed to be built
Kowsar
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The Kowsar is Iran’s third attempt to build a domestic fighter aircraft based on the F-5 chassis, this time using the design of the F-5F as a base. This combines all the improvements found on the previous Iranian F-5 derivatives as well as improvements found on the Kowsar. For starters the Kowsar implements more modern avionic equipment including a new ballistics computer, a heads up display and a laser rangefinder for example, unfortunately to make space for the new equipment one of the two M39 20mm autocannons had to be omitted. Next is that the Kowsar will start with all-aspect AAM’s as a starting AAM, finally due to the improved avionics suite it can utilize more advanced ground ordinances. An interesting note with the Kowsar is unlike the Saeqeh 2, the Kowsar does not involve upgrading the remaining F-5F’s rather the Kowsar is built purely from scratch.
F-16AI
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The Shahist regime placed an order for 160 F-16’s, 140 of which were completed and was about to be shipped to Iran, the order was cancelled during the outbreak of the Iranian revolution and the subsequent breakdown in US-Iranian relationships.
As previously stated the Iranian F-16 alongside the Iranian F/A-18 is added for a lot of the same reasons on why the F-16AJ is added to the Japanese TT unlike the F-16AJ though Iran did place an order for their F-16’s and F/A-18’s they just were either cancelled or never received due to political reasons
Note: the image below is an artist representation of a Hypothetical Imperial Iranian F-16 flying over a Tower of Silence in Yazd, not a real one
Shafaq
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The Shafaq is a domestically built Iranian combat aircraft like the Azarakhsh, Saeqeh and Koswar, unlike the previous 3 mentioned aircraft the Shafaq is a completely unique Iranian design though (initially) with some technical help from the Russian. The Shafaq is intended for Advanced Trainer, Ground Attack and Light Fighter roles similar to the Qaher 313 & Borhan, two other domestic and unique Iranian Designs. Iran claims that the Shafaq alongside the Qaher 313 is capable of stealth, i doubt those claims though the Shafaq, Qaher and Borhan are still impressive vehicles non the less since it shows the world that Iran can design domestic and unique combat capable aircraft from scratch inspite of the crippling embargoes placed on Iran. The Shafaq alongside the Borhan and Qaher 313 never pass the mockup stage as all 3 aircraft is stuck in development limbo. Inspite of this i added the Shafaq for 3 main reasons, firstly it is a fully unique Iranian Aircraft giving people an excuse to play the Iranian Air TT (people are more inclined to play unique vehicles than a existing aircraft even if the loadout is different), secondly inspite of being a mockup there is a lot of data on the Shafaq including weapons loadout and flight characteristics since some testing is done on the mockup, thirdly and most importantly Iran is considering restarting the project with the high probability to make a functioning prototype so the Shafaq could potentially be a functioning aircraft
Yak-130
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Iran currently operate 2 Yak-130 as advanced trainer and ground attack aircraft with more on order
Su-24MK
F/A-18AI (Squadron)
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The Imperial Iranian Regime ordered at least 200 F-18’s for Ground Attack and Interceptor roles, the order was cancelled for the same reasons as the cancellation of the Iranian F-16’s
Zandi’s F-14A (Premium/Potential Pre Order when Tier IX is announced)
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Jalil Zandi, born in 1951 in Garmsar is an Iranian F-14 pilot serving during the Iran-Iraq war, scoring 11 confirmed and 3 probable kills making him the highest scoring F-14 Ace, Pilots when it is somebody as experienced like Zandi or as green as the vast majority of Iran F-14’s pilots during the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war (most of Iran’s experienced pilots are loyal to the Shah) proved the potency of BVR missiles and rendering dogfighting as obsolete. Zandi past away in a car accident alongside his wife near Tehran on the 1’st of April 2001
Saeqeh-2 (Premium/Pre Order)
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Essentially the Two-Seater variant of the Saeqeh, also the Saeqeh has an slight increase in payload, otherwise is identical to the regular Saeqeh
Tier IX
Su-35
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Iran has purchased 24 Su-35 however they are still yet to be in Iranian Service
IAIO Qaher-313
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The Qaher 313 is a prototype light multirole fighter aircraft, claimed to have stealth capabilities by the Iranian government. The stealth capabilities are questionable at best, despite that like with the Shafaq it can still be a capable light fighter aircraft and shows that Iran can design an aircraft entirely unique.
Armament wise it can use 6 PL-12 AAM’s as it’s sole anti-air weapon, following the trend of modern fighters completely omitting a gun entirely (either inbuilt or even in a gunpod). The Qaher-313 can equip equip some air to ground ordinances including dumb bombs (up to 2 2000lbs bombs), guided bombs and AGM’s of domestic, Russian and Chinese origin
The project was ultimately canned in favour of continual development of drone designs and technology that Iran is developing. However it could be restarted again in the near future
Weapons
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AAM’s
Fateh/Fattir
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Essentially an reversed engineered AIM-9 which later variants obtained characteristics from the PL-5 family of AAM’s
Sedljil/Sadjeel
Fakuour 90
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A reversed engineered AIM-54 Phoenix that was equipped primarily on Iran’s F-14’s as well as tested on Iranian MiG-29’s
AGM’s, PGM’s, ASM’s and ATGM’s
Zoobin
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This is a domestically built first generation PGM’s, having a max range of 20km, it is confirmed to be used on Iran’s F-4’s and their Modified F-5’s (Azarakhsh, Saeqeh’s and Koswar’s)
Qadr
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An Iranian Guided bomb based on the 2000 Ibs BLU-117 guided bomb
Qased
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An Iranian Guided bomb also based on the BLU-117 guided bomb, like with the Qadr it’s exact operational history and what aircraft can mount it is currently unknown but if i have an educated guess it will most likely be carried by F-4’s, F-14’s, possibly Su-22’s, Su-25’s, Su-24’s and MiG-29’s
Bina
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Yet another domestic Iranian AGM, this time being based on the Maverick family of AGM’s, like with the Qadr and Qased it is unknown which aircraft used them but most likely the same aircraft as well
Qader
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Medium ranged ASM missile similar to the Nasr-1, this missile can be fired on land based systems or on aircraft with the F-4D,E & RF-4E being able to fire it
Nasr-1
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Essentially this is a ASM based on the C-704 ASM of Chinese origin, this ASM can be fired on land based systems or on aircraft with the MiG-29A being confirmed to be able to equip it
Fajr-4
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A guided Air to Surface rocket that was designed in 2014 and unveiled in 2020, it was tested on Su-22’s, two variants of the Fajr-4 exist the regular Fajr-4 & the Fajr-4CL the exact differences of these two variants are currently unknown
Potential Additions
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- Another F-84G variant: There is a F-84G monument in the city of Dezful where a F-84G is modified to carry AIM-9’s however i am not sure if it was a mod while in service or it was added after it was retired (i am most likely leaning towards the latter)
- HESA Simorgh: An Iranian built advanced trainer & ground attack aircraft based on the F-5B, it lacks cannons both in terms of fuselage or gunpod mounted cannons but otherwise can carry secondary ordinances (AAM’s & ground attack)
- JF-17
- J-10C
- Su-24UM4K
- F-5F
- Borhan: This is a Iranian Light Attack aircraft however as far as i know only a full mockup of it exists and said mockup is commonly mistaken for the Shafaq
Imperial Ethiopia
- SAAB B17
- Firefly Mk.I
- T-28D
Sources
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F-86F-30 Golden Crown
IIAF GOLDEN CROWN HISTORY
Cl-13 Mk.6
Pakistan Military Consortium :: www.PakDef.info
Misc:
Here's the latest Iranian jet mock-up - The Aviationist
Iranian Indigenous Fighter projects (Saeqeh, etc) | Page 4 | Secret Projects Forum
Analysis: Fakour Air-to-Air Missile
There is already a suggestion to a Iranian Ground Forces TT, here is the link below
