Iran's Flying Boats

Ray

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Here is a video clip of Iran's Flying Boats

Flying Boats

Iran, though isolated, apparently has a robust indigenous defence industry.
 

Kunal Biswas

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stealth intrusion, with RCS-reduced airframe and quiet propulsion device (compared to helicopters). At the same time it's faster and more versatile than a boat, a semi-submersible, or a midget submarine. There are many other uses such as SAR and border patrol.
 
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Yusuf

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One thing is that its very small. I did not understand why the propeller is mounted like that? Would it not have an effect on the tail which is just behind in the long term? It looks crude as well the design.

The plane is so small i wonder how they would arm it and what kind of weapons would be on it? As I see it, its a perfect plain for Kamakazi mission specifically against US carriers and other ships.
 

sesha_maruthi27

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Wah Kunal bhai, nice post. How will they mount guns and missles? They are too small and too light to be armed. Actually what is the use of these flying boats.
 

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Iran’s Hornets Nest at Bandar Abbas - Defense-Update


Bavar-2 amphibian seaplane is equipped with maritime surveillance equipment, and communications for recce and target acquisition over the sea. The new plane is operated by the Iranian revolutionary Guards naval units. Photo: Fars news agency, by Vahid reza Alaei.

Iran is preparing a massive force of small but highly capable combat elements capable of disrupting oil transportation through the Persian Gulf and the Straight of Hurmoz choke point. The Iranians have developed unique operational concepts employing coordinated swarm attacks that could effectively defeat large, well protected surface combatants such as those operated by the allied naval forces present at the Gulf. Many of these Swarm elements are currently stationed at the naval base at Bandar Abbas, acting as the Swarm's 'Hornets Nest' at the southern end of the Hurmoz Straits in the Persian Gulf. In recent, highly publicized naval exercises held by Iran's Revolutionary Guards', swarm attacks were demonstrated by engaging targets from extended range by anti-ship missiles, while smaller fast boats were closing in at high speed, firing rockets and Rocket propelled Grenades (RPG) from very short range.

An Iranian fast boat firing a 107mm rocket in direct fire against a naval target. Such boats are employed in swarm attacks, saturating a target defense. Photo: Fars news agency by Hossein Zohrevand.

In recent years Iran is escalating its swarm capabilities to higher levels, with the development of indigenous weapons and platforms tailored for the Persian Gulf Theater of operation. Among these elements are mini submarines, amphibian seaplanes, high speed missile boats and medium range anti-ship missiles. All are designed as compact, cost efficient element that together, creating a force multiplier that cannot be ignored even by the world's largest, most capable navies.


Iranian Ghadir mini submarines are based at Bandar Abbas. Photo: FARS news agency by Vahid Reza Alaei

A key element in this 'hornets nest' is the Ghadir mini-submarine. The first two locally built subs were delivered in 2008 and this year during a visit at the base four subs were visible. These submarines built for short missions operating at shallow water, carrying out coastal reconnaissance, mine laying and engagement of surface targets, including moving vessels and oil rigs. Mining by submarines could become one of Iran's modus operandi as detection or attribution of such action to the actual perpetrator is almost impossible.

Another element of the hornets nest was unveiled this week, as Iran's Revolutionary Guards naval units displayed over a dozen planes during an official visit of the Guards' commander, brig. General Ahmad vahidi at Bandar Abbas. Unveiled as a prototype in 2006, Bavar-2 is designed to operate as a rapid reaction force, equipped with aerial cameras and communications links transmitting images in real-time to command centers at sea or on land. The seaplane is also equipped with a machine gun. It is flown by a single pilot and is fitted to operate in day or night, using night vision devices.

In August 2010 the Iranians unveiled the 'sting' of the hornets – the new Zulfikar fast patrol boats (shown in the video below), an all-aluminum built fast boat armed with Iranian-made Nasr-1 medium range anti-ship missiles. (actually, an Iranian version of the Chinese C-704 missile). The Iranians plan to deploy large numbers of these boats, armed with the locally produced missiles, being able to saturate the defenses of highly protected surface vessels.


Iran's Revolutionary Guards naval forces unveiled the first amphibian aircraft squadron at Bandar Abbas in September 2010. Photo: Mehr News Agency

The new Bavar-2 amphibian seaplane, designed to perform short range maritime surveillance, coastal patrol and provide target acquisition for the Zulfikar fast boats, enabling them to launch their missiles at maximum range, thus avoiding counter attack from the surface. As an amphibian, Bavar-2 has unique capabilities, such as flying at very low level and 'perching' at sea level, thus evading detection by hostile radars.

In times of crisis it is assumed that the fast boats, submarines and seaplanes will disperse to many coastal locations, from where they will be able to launch surprise attacks against merchant ships, tankers or military targets. The submarines and amphibians will provide the eyes and ears for the missile carrying fast fast boats, which could group into attack swarms to strike and disperse immediately after it, thus making it difficult for the enemy to launch an effective counter strike.
 

ahmedsid

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These are for Snooping around, reconnaissance missions only. They are not Offensive in nature, but yeah will come in handy when on a Kamikaze Mission.
 

Sridhar

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VIDEO: Iran's "stealth" flying boat

By Stephen Trimble on September 29, 2010 1:11 PM |

Iran says they have delivered three squadrons of new Bevar 2 ground effect vehicles (aka "flying boats") to its "elite Republican Guard". As to claims of stealth, the exposed engine and propeller (which is unfortunately designed to spill exhaust into the OPEN cockpit) nullifies any attempt at evading radar detection. You have to respect the courage of the pilots. These flimsy things make the Soviet ekranoplan designs look stable.
VIDEO: Iran's "stealth" flying boat - The DEW Line

A video available here

[video]http://www.liveleak.com/mp.swf?config=http://www.liveleak.com/flash_config.php?token=e84_1285714334%26embed=1[/video]http://www.liveleak.com/mp.swf?config=http://www.liveleak.com/flash_config.php?token=e84_1285714334%26embed=1
 

Tshering22

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I am beginning to wonder why Iran always exaggerates the roles of its creations. The flying boat seems to be a great invention for SAR and maritime patrolling but considering the design and shape of the flying boat, I doubt it can be of multiple uses especially since it is a sea boat and beyond surveillance has limited applications. Its size makes it incapable of arming with guided and unguided munitions and bombs. That can simply be covered by a UAV.

If they want to use these in disrupting the oil supplies in Gulf, then the Arab air forces can coordinate with their own navies and the US and French forces in the region to break the deadlock. individually Arab air forces might be nothing, but they do pack fancy western gizmos in the form of Typhoons, Rafales and F-15s. Armed with air to ship missiles from NATO, they can do some serious damage in case of a war scenario.

Iran could have as much put the money in this flying boat into making a maritime UAV rather than wasting it on an unarmed manned patrol vehicle. This thing is good for swampy countries with dense amazon rainforest covered grounds and loose soil like Brazil, Ecuador and other south American countries. But in open ocean, this is just a sitting duck to enemy fighters or even SAM batteries on ships.
 

Rage

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I don't even know why this is called an 'invention'.

What is the difference between this and any other seaplane / amphibious aircraft? If anything, this looks like a rudimentary version.

I mean, I love Iran, but this is doing too much.
 

sandeepdg

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These flying are hardly capable of carrying any kind of munitions being so small that they are. I don't think it will be of any use other than short range surveillance near the coast. The design also looks very crude, and even as kamikaze tool will hardly do much damage to a heavily fortified AC, only damage can be done if a swarm of these seaplanes crash into a single target.
 

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