Iranian Simorgh aircraft makes its first flight
31 May, 2023 Iranian Simorgh aircraft. May 2023. Iran.
Frame from a social media video The Simorgh military transport aircraft was tested in Iran. It successfully made its first flight a year after it was introduced by Iranian authorities.
The test flight took place at an air base in Isfahan. The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Simorgh aircraft was developed and manufactured by the Iranian Aviation Industry Organization, a subsidiary of the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
Iranian authorities said the development of this aircraft is aimed at improving the country's defense capability. It is noted that the Simorgh aircraft would strengthen the ability of Iran's ground and naval forces to transport troops and equipment between bases throughout the country. This military transport aircraft was created on the basis of the IrAn-140, which, in turn, is a licensed modification of the Ukrainian An-140 turboprop aircraft.
Work on the conversion of the An-140 airliner into transport aircraft for the army is carried out by the Iranian company Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries.
Iranian Simorgh aircraft. May 2023. Iran.
Frame from a social media video
The transport version was equipped with a rear ramp for loading large cargo. Half of the fuselage, wings, and a number of other components and parts were produced in Kharkiv. Its assembly and conversion from a passenger aircraft to a light transport aircraft were carried out by HESA engineers.
The prototype of the Simorgh military transport aircraft based on the An-140 (IrAn-140). May 2022. Photo credits: Iranian media
Work on the creation of a tactical transport aircraft with a ramp and a cargo capacity of 6 tons is carried out in the aeronautical design center of IAMI (Aeronautical Design Center IAMI) to replace the Fokker-27.
Iran's air force hopes that by converting the An-140 into a light transport aircraft, the Iranian army will receive an alternative to the Fokker-27.
