Ghods Mohajer / Mersad (Migrant)

The Mohajer/Mersad (immigration) history of Ghod

Iranian engineers have been working to build a local inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the military. These include conventional reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) types, as well as armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV) ammunition delivery platforms.

The ghods 'Mohajer' (also spelled 'Mahajer') constitute one of the former and are mainly used as information gathering systems. It has been adopted by the armed forces of Iran, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela (Mohajer-2 is locally produced as SANZT "Arpia"), and Hezbollah forces.

The four main variants are characteristic of previous production and service runs, with sub-variants in development.

The need for an ISR system emerged during the bloody Iran-Iraq conflict in the 1980s, which prompted Iranian industry to develop local solutions for its military. This led to a series of prototypes in the early 2000s, whose operational form was subsequently used in an actual war zone between two neighboring countries.

The original series was called "Mohajer-1" and started the series of Mohajer drones that are still in use today (2016). In addition to being used as an ISR platform, some of the models said to have been used in the conflict were actually equipped with missiles to attack ground targets - essentially making the Mohajer a UCAV with broader tactical utility.

This work resulted in a more advanced form that offered greater range and improved navigation. The model was designated "Mohajer-2" and took over production for use by the Iranian army. When built, the Mohajer-2 was 9.6 feet in length and had a wingspan of 12.5 feet.

Its propulsion system consisted of a WAE-342 series two-stroke engine that produced 25 horsepower while driving a two-bladed propeller in a "thrust" configuration (the propeller was located at the rear of the fuselage). The general shape of the fuselage is mainly tubular, with the straight-wing main aircraft located near the midship (also with truncated wingtips).

The twin cantilevers form the fins, with a connecting horizontal plane between each vertical fin. The optics are attached to a rotating blister assembly that can be seen under the nose of the aircraft.

Performance includes a top speed of over 100 miles per hour, a range of up to 90 miles and a service ceiling of up to 11,000 feet. Endurance is about six hours of flight time.

Additional line improvements inevitably led to the "Mohajer-3", which further increased range and capabilities on the battlefield. Further work led to a more advanced version - which became "Mohajer-4" - which in turn produced a pair of its own sub-variants.

While maintaining the general form and function of the Mohajer-2 series, the Mohajer-4 has a more boxy fuselage and three-legged landing gear. Main-wing aircraft also have wingtips that are cranked upwards.

The

Mojaher series adds to Iran's (and its allies') operations in a region often plagued by war and tribal/political conflict. Its development continues to this day (2016), working and testing ever-improving versions. The line has undoubtedly come a long way in helping the local aviation industry build a self-sufficient Iranian drone industry.

The series is also known under the name "Mersad" ("immigrants").

Ghods Mohajer/Mersad (Immigration) Norms

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

ARMAMENT

VARIANTS