10 Reasons Iran's New Jet Will Never Leave The Ground

Qaher 313The Aviationist
Iran built up the release of their new domestically produced jet weeks in advance of its recent debut, but the unveiled fighter is drawing more mockery than the praise Tehran hoped for.

We previously outlined the jet's traits and how it could theoretically fill a gap in the country's favored military maneuvers; and here we lay out 10 reasons the plane Iran showed the world can't be what it claims.

(For a detailed analysis, check out The Aviationist.)

None of this means Tehran isn't building a fighter to do what this one's supposed to, but the one here could simply never fly.


Overall, the plane seems to lack the characteristic rivets and bolts all aircraft, including stealthy ones, require to hold together.

David Cenciotti

The engine exhaust lacks any kind of required nozzle. The use of an afterburner (or, simply, the engine temperature) could possibly melt the entire structure of the jet.

David Cenciotti

The general shape of the plane is bold to say the least, but the wings seem too small to sustain the weight of the aircraft, especially if this is intended to carry a powerful engine and internal payload.

David Cenciotti

The aircraft sports fixed canards (tiny forward wings) and the the air intakes look too small to feed a modern jet engine.

David Cenciotti

The size of the plane and cockpit are too small: a normal pilot could not properly fit in the ejection seat.

David Cenciotti

The flying aircraft shown in the video is a radio controlled model.

David Cenciotti

It looks like some Iranian media outlets confirmed the flying aircraft was an RC-model.

David Cenciotti

The canopy lacks transparency and looks like it is made of Plexiglas

The Aviationist

The cockpit and, above all, the front panel are unbelievably simple; comparable to that of a low end general aviation plane.

David Cenciotti

And really, the whole aircraft seems to be made of plastic

David Cenciotti

Those are just a few examples of the jet's layout

The Aviationist
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