Iran develops ‘suicide drone’ capable of collide and destroy missions | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Iran develops ‘suicide drone’ capable of collide and destroy missions

ByAFP, Tehran
Oct 26, 2016 07:08 PM IST

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday they had developed a “suicide drone” capable of delivering explosives to blow up targets at sea and on land.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday they had developed a “suicide drone” capable of delivering explosives to blow up targets at sea and on land.

This photo released on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows a new attack drone called Saegheh or Thunderbolt in an undisclosed location in Iran.(AP)
This photo released on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows a new attack drone called Saegheh or Thunderbolt in an undisclosed location in Iran.(AP)

The new drone is primarily for maritime surveillance and “has not been designed to be armed with missiles,” the Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Guards, reported.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“(But) it can carry heavy payloads of explosives for combat missions to launch suicide attacks.

“Flying at a high cruising speed near the surface of the water, the aircraft can collide with the target and destroy it, either a vessel or an onshore command centre.”

Tasnim said the drone was designed to fly as low as two feet (half a metre) above the water at a speed of around 250 kilometres (160 miles) per hour but could reach an altitude of 900 metres (3,000 feet).

As with previous drone announcements by Iran, the news agency released photographs of the aircraft on the ground, but no footage of it flying.

“It has an advanced military camera with the capability of being used at night and during the day, as well as the possibility of being used in damp sea conditions,” Tasnim said.

Earlier this month, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have produced a new attack drone, the Saegheh (Thunderbolt), by reverse-engineering a US Central Intelligence Agency RQ-170 Sentinel drone that was captured in December 2011.

Iran claimed one of its cyber warfare units took control of the US drone and landed it safely, while the US says a technical problem caused it to crash.

The Guards released pictures of the Thunderbolt, but no footage of it in flight.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On