HESA Kowsar
Summary
| Category | Combat Aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇮🇷 Iran |
| Manufacturer | HESA |
| First flight | 1 August 2018 |
| Year introduced | 2018 |
| Number produced | 7 units |
Technical specifications
| Version: Kowsar | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
| Operational range | 1,100 km (684 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 1700 km/h (1056 mph) |
| Wing area | 17.3 m² (186.0 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 8.1 m (26.7 ft) |
| Height | 4.1 m (13.4 ft) |
| Length | 14.5 m (47.4 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 15,800 m (51,837 ft) |
| Empty weight | 4,349 kg (9,588 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 9,312 kg (20,529 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 175.0 m/s (574.1 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 x Owj delivering 8 kN each |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Iran | 5 | |
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- Air-to-Air Short-Range Fatir
Bombs payload:
- Unguided Bomb 250 kg bomb
- Unguided Bomb 450 kg bomb
- Unguided Bomb 900 kg bomb
Description
The HESA Kowsar is an Iranian fighter jet based on the airframe of the American Northrop F-5. Manufactured by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company (HESA), the assembly line for the aircraft was inaugurated on 3 November 2018, with at least seven aircraft initially produced.
The aircraft is powered by two Owj turbojet engines, each generating 15.5 kN of dry thrust and 22 kN in full afterburner. The Kowsar's avionics suite features digital data networks, a glass cockpit, a heads-up display (HUD), ballistic computers, and smart mobile mapping systems. Its primary sensor is a multipurpose radar based on the Italian Grifo design—reportedly either a Chinese model or a domestic production—which Iranian sources state has a detection range of 93 km and the capability to engage two targets simultaneously. Western analysts have generally described the Kowsar as of limited value as a frontline combat aircraft but useful for training a new generation of Iranian pilots.
The Kowsar has a maximum payload capacity of 3,200 kg distributed across seven hardpoints, supplemented by an internal 20 mm cannon. The aircraft can carry up to four Fatir air-to-air missiles, which are reverse-engineered Sidewinder missiles. Its bomb load configurations include up to twelve 250 kg bombs, five 450 kg bombs, or two 900 kg bombs.
The Iran Aviation Industries Organization announced its readiness to export the Kowsar on 26 November 2018. On 25 June 2020, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force accepted delivery of three Kowsar aircraft in non-combat colors during a ceremony in Isfahan.
Main Variants
-
Single-seater: A single-seat configuration of the aircraft.
-
Two-seater: A dual-seat configuration of the aircraft.