Attack drones from Iran: Rezvan comes in a container, Raad is already following

Iran is working on unmanned attack drones with undiminished intensity. As its latest success, the Iranian Tasnim News Agency presented the Rezvan system; another new model, Raad, is already waiting in the wings.

According to the report, Rezvan (pictured above) leaves the factory in a container that serves for both transport and launch. On launch, the X-shaped wings unfold automatically. The nose is formed by a sensor ball. After launch, a camera transmits images to the control console, according to the report, through which the operator can select and attack targets. An extended data link antenna on a tripod suggests radio command guidance. The range is 20 kilometres, the flight time about 20 minutes.

The concept is comparable to Product 53 from the Russian manufacturer Zala or to the Israeli Hero-30\90\120 drone family from UVision. The system’s “simple and rapid deployment” is emphasised; especially in rough mountain terrain, this is meant to open up new options for rapid reaction forces. Iran intends to hand over 1,000 units to the troops very soon.

Raad: attack drones of simpler design too

Raad was shown, including in flight, during the just-ending exercise “Great Prophet 19” (Payambar-e Azam 19) of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This drone also has X-shaped wings, plus an X-shaped tail and a pusher propeller; it closely resembles the Russian Lancet. Compared with Rezvan, Raad is of simpler construction: it needs no container for launch, and its wings are fixed.