The HESA Fotros ( fa, فطرس ''fʊtros'') is an Iranian reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat
unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
built by
Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation
Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), ( fa, شرکت صنایع هواپیماسازی ایران — هسا) or Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation, is an Iranian aircraft production company. Established in 1976 ...
and unveiled in November 2013. It was the largest Iranian drone at its unveiling. It has an operational range of 1,700 km to 2,000 km with flight endurance of 16 to 30 hours depending on armament.
The name refers to a fallen angel in Shia mythology which was redeemed by
Imam Husayn ibn Ali
Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib ( ar, أبو عبد الله الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب; 10 January 626 – 10 October 680) was a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a son of Ali ibn Abi ...
.
The Fotros carries up to six missiles or bombs.
[https://www.farsnews.ir/news/13990609000497/تحول-پهپادهای-ایرانی-با-تسلیحات-جدید-موشک-تاپ-اتک-ارمغان-فطرس-برای]
History
It is believed that the Fotros was rushed into a finished state to be unveiled before the start of P5+1 talks over Iran's nuclear programs. It carries at least 6 Ghaem
Precision-guided munition
A precision-guided munition (PGM, smart weapon, smart munition, smart bomb) is a guided munition intended to precisely hit a specific target, to minimize collateral damage and increase lethality against intended targets. During the First Gul ...
s, or 6 of 3 unnamed
Precision-guided munition
A precision-guided munition (PGM, smart weapon, smart munition, smart bomb) is a guided munition intended to precisely hit a specific target, to minimize collateral damage and increase lethality against intended targets. During the First Gul ...
s.
In 2020 the UAV participated in a military training drill known as “Defenders of Velayat Skies.”
Status
There was no news or status updates on the Fotros between its announcement in 2013 and 2020.
In 2020 it was announced that the drone had entered service and more images surfaced of the UAV. Production is believed to have started, and at least 2 have been produced.
Specifications
See also
References
Post–Cold War military equipment of Iran
Unmanned military aircraft of Iran
Aircraft manufactured in Iran
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