Mohajer-6

The Mohajer-6 is an Iranian multirole unmanned ISTAR and aerial combat vehicle designed by the Qods Aviation Industry Company. While designed by Qods, the aircraft is manufactured by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA). The platform was unveiled in April 2016 and entered mass production in February 2018. As of September 2022, approximately 210 units had been manufactured. It was developed to complement the larger Shahed 129 in the Iranian inventory.

Design

The airframe is constructed from composite materials and features a rectangular fuselage with an upward-sloping nose and twin tailbooms. The high-mounted straight wings are positioned toward the rear of the body and terminate in uncanted wingtips. The tail assembly consists of a top-mounted horizontal stabilizer with two elevators and rudders on the vertical stabilizers. Propulsion is provided by a 115 hp water-cooled four-stroke internal combustion engine—either an Austrian Rotax 914 or an indigenous HESA variant—driving a three-bladed propeller. Landing gear is a fixed tricycle configuration, and the aircraft utilizes runway takeoff and landing.

The sensor suite consists of a fixed forward-facing navigation camera and a chin-mounted gimbal housing a laser range finder and multispectral infrared and visible light electro-optical sensors. Avionics include an autopilot system capable of automatic takeoff and landing. The aircraft can also be configured with electronic support measures, communications jamming, or electronic warfare payloads. Performance specifications include a maximum takeoff weight of 600–670 kg, a maximum speed of 200 km/h, an endurance of 12 hours, and an operational ceiling between 16,000 and 18,000 feet.

Armament

Armament is carried on up to four hardpoints under the wings, with some configurations featuring two additional slots under the main fuselage. Payload capacity ranges from 100 kg to 150 kg. Compatible munitions include Qaem TV/IR-guided missiles and Almas missiles.

Operational History

The Mohajer-6 is operated by the IRGC Ground Forces, IRGC Navy, and the Iranian Army. Iranian forces have deployed the aircraft against PJAK militants in 2019, Jaish ul-Adl in 2023, and Kurdish political headquarters in Iraq in 2022. Export customers include Russia, which has used the Mohajer-6 to guide Geran-2 loitering munitions during the invasion of Ukraine. Sudan has deployed the aircraft during the Battle of Khartoum. Additional operators include Ethiopia, the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, and Venezuela, with the latter reportedly receiving technology transfers for local assembly. Syria is a former operator.

Variants

• Mohajer-6 A: Features two hardpoints, with one under each wing.
• Mohajer-6 B: Features four hardpoints, with two under each wing, and supports increased payload capacity.