Basic Information

Name

Shahed-129 Iranian Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Designation

Shahed-129, S129

Alternate Designation

Shahed-129, S129

Equipment Type

—

Manufacturer

HESA

Date of Introduction

2012

Description

The Shahed-129 is an Iranian single-engine medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed by Shahed Aviation Industries for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Shahed 129 is capable of combat and reconnaissance missions and has an endurance of 24 hours; it is similar in size, shape, and role to the American MQ-1 Predator and is widely considered the most capable drone in Iranian service. Similar to the MQ-1 Predator.

Air & Air Defense Specifications

Engine Four cylinder, four stroke aircraft engine (100 hp)

Max Speed 175.0 km/h

Range 350.0 km

Endurance 24.00 hrs

Service Ceiling 5485 m

Payload Capacity 400 kg

Variants

Shahed-123 Original design on which the model-129 is based on.

Shahed-129 Base Series Designation.

System

Alternative Designation Shahed-129, S129

Type of UAV Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Manufacturer HESA

In Service 2012-Present

Primary Function Ground Attack; Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout; Unmanned Capability

Ground Crew Relies on a ground control station, the drone's reliance on a ground station severely circumscribes its effective range.

Range Though the Shahed-129 airframe is likely capable of its claimed 1700 km combat range, it relies on a ground control station, which Iranian state media say is limited to a 200 km datalink. Independent analysts are more positive, saying the effective range is likely 300–400 km, but are clear that the drone's reliance on a ground station severely circumscribes its effective range. Other experts say the Shahed-129's datalink could likely not reach even 200 km.

Day/Night Capable Yes, a chin-mounted gimbal electro-optic/infrared sensor

All Weather Capable Yes

Date Transmit Distance 300-400 km

Location Positioning System Yes

Number of Hard Points Two twin hardpoints, for a total of up to four munitions

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) Capable No

Stabilizers V-tail vertical stabilizers

Autopilot Yes

Payload Capacity 400 kg

Endurance 24 hours

Launch System Runway

Recovery System Runway

Landing Gear Retractable

Note Similar to the MQ-1 Predator

Dimensions

Length 8.0 m

Width (Wing Span) 16.0 m

Height 3.1 m

Fuselage 65–75 cm in diameter, and is fabricated from large panels of composite material with an aluminum alloy superstructure

Weight, 990 kg

Payload Capacity 400 kg

Automotive

Engine Name 1 × Rotax 914

Engine Type Four cylinder, four stroke aircraft engine

Engine Power 100 hp

Propellers 3-bladed

Range Though the Shahed-129 airframe is likely capable of its claimed 1700 km combat range, it relies on a ground control station, which Iranian state media say is limited to a 200 km datalink. Independent analysts are more positive, saying the effective range is likely 300–400 km, but are clear that the drone's reliance on a ground station severely circumscribes its effective range. Other experts say the Shahed-129's datalink could likely not reach even 200 km.

Speed, Maximum 175 km/h

Speed, Average 150 km/h

Service Ceiling 5,485 m - 7,300 m

Endurance 24 hours

Armament and Ammunition

Name Sadid-345

Type Precision-guided glide bomb with a fragmentation warhead.

Length 1,690 mm

Width 1,520 mm

Weight 34 kg

Payload Bay Yes

Warhead Type glide bomb with a fragmentation

Fin Type four fixed fins on the body for lift and stability and four deflectable fins on the tail for trajectory control

Maximum Effective Range 6 km

Lethal Radius 30 m

Detonation Mechanism Impact fuse

Infrared Seeker Available

CEP 2.5 m

Basic Load 4 ea

Fire Control

Fire Control System Type INA

Fire Control Radar INA

Radar Type INA

Radar Designator INA

Laser Rangefinder Yes

Laser Designator INA

Full-Motion Video Real-time video data link

Still Camera Yes

Thermal Imaging Sensors Oghab-6 electro-optical/infrared sensor

Electro Optical Pod Yes

Protection

Fuselage INA

Stealth Properties INA

Heat Signature Reduction INA

Add on Armor INA

EW INA

EW Counter Measures / CCM INA

Counter Measures (Chaffs/Flares) INA

Image Sources

Notes https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shahed_129_01.jpg; https://iranpress.com/drone-shahed-129--efficient-bird-with-brilliant-operational-history; https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/shahed-129-heads-irans-armed-uav-force;