HESA Ababil-5

History of the HESA Ababil-5

The HESA Ababil is an Iranian series of single-engine, multirole, tactical unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company. The Ababil series consists of four main models: the Ababil-2, 3, 4, and 5, with the Ababil-2 having various sub-models. The drone series, which started during the Iran–Iraq War, has seen deployment in multiple conflicts across the Middle East.

The Ababil-2, developed in the 1990s, primarily serves as a target drone with basic surveillance abilities. The Ababil-3, introduced in the 2000s, offers enhanced surveillance capacities and is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles. Information about the Ababil-4, unveiled in 2022, is limited, while the Ababil-5, also unveiled in 2022, has a larger range and payload capacity.

The Ababil drones, despite being seen as rudimentary and cost-effective systems, have been extensively exported to governments and paramilitary groups in the Middle East. The drones have been used in various conflicts, including the 2006 Lebanon War, the Iraq War, and civil wars in Sudan, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The newer models, Ababil-4 and Ababil-5, are currently only seen in Iranian service.

The Ababil variants, particularly the Ababil-1, are poorly documented. The Ababil-1 was a prototype, believed to be a suicide drone armed with 40 kg of explosives. The Ababil-2 boasts an improved flight-control system and can be launched from various platforms. It is equipped with acoustic miss-distance-indicators, infrared devices, and radar reflectors.

The Ababil-3, a complete redesign, is built from composite materials and optimized for surveillance. It is equipped with real-time video capture and has improved endurance. Its max airspeed is 200 km/h, with a roundtrip range of 100 km and a service ceiling of 5,000 m.

Little is known about the Ababil-4, but it has a longer range and duration than the Ababil-3. The Ababil-5, equipped with a Rotax-914 engine, has a range of 480 km and can carry anti-tank missiles or precision-guided bombs. It is used for both reconnaissance and combat roles.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 2022

Origins: Iran

Status: Under development. Program is running.

Crew: none

Production: 10

Manufacturer: Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (IAMIC/HESA) Iran

Operator: Iran

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Disable support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Unmanned

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Fader support

The design features a rearward push rod arrangement in contrast to the more traditional pull rod arrangement.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended Range Performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Unmanned operation

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 19. 2 feet (5.85m)

Width: 28.1 ft (8.55m)

Height: 4.1 ft (1.25m)

Cured weight: 772 lbs (350kg)

MTOW: 1,102 lbs (500kg)

Wgt Difference: +331 lbs (+150 kg)

Main Aircraft Structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 x conventional engine of unknown make and model, approximately 50 hp, driving a single three-bladed propeller unit at the end of the fuselage in a thrust configuration.

Maximum speed: 124 km/h (200 km/h | 108 knots)

Cruising speed: 103 km/h (165 km/h | 89 kn)

Maximum speed difference: +22 km/h (+35 km/h | 19 kn)

Maximum: 19,685 feet (6,000 m | 4 km)

Weapons

Up to six air-to-surface missiles (three missiles per station) are mounted on two mounting points under the wing.