IAIO Fotros

The IAIO Fotros (Persian: فطرس fʊtros) is an Iranian reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat unmanned aerial vehicle built by Iran Aviation Industries Organization and unveiled in November 2013. It is the largest Iranian drone, and depending on armament, has an operational range of 1,700 km to 2,000 km with flight endurance of 16 to 30 hours.[2][3] The name refers to a fallen angel in Shia mythology which was redeemed by Imam Husayn ibn Ali.[4]

IAIO Fotros
Fotros UAV at its unveiling ceremony
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Manufacturer IAIO
First flight November 2013
Introduction 2020
Status Accepted for service[1]
Primary user Iran
Produced Iran Aviation Industries Organization
Number built 2

History


It is believed that the Fotros was rushed into a finished state to be unveiled before the start of P5+1 talks over Iran's nuclear programs.[5] It carries at least 6 Ghaem Precision-guided munitions, or 6 of 3 unnamed Precision-guided munitions.[6]

In 2020 the UAV participated in a military training drill known as “Defenders of Velayat Skies.”[7]

Status

There was no known operational use of the Fotros, and as of 2018 the project was believed to have been abandoned.[8]

However in 2020 the drone was announced to have entered service and more images surfaced of the UAV. Production is believed to have started, and at least 2 have been produced.[9][10]

Specifications

General characteristics Performance

  • Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Endurance: 16 to 30 hours
  • Service ceiling: 7,600 m (25,000 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. "IRGC Ground Force to Get Fotros Drone - Politics news".
  2. "Iran Unveils Indigenous 'Fotros' Drone".
  3. "Iran presents largest home-made UAV "Fotros"". 18 November 2013.
  4. "Fotros or Petros(angel)". 18 November 2013.
  5. "Iranian Fotros UAV Missing Two Screws".
  6. "The Oryx Handbook of Iranian Drones".
  7. Spires, Josh (2020-11-03). "Iranian-made drones joined the Iran Air Force's annual drill". DroneDJ. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  8. Frew, Joanna (May 2018). "Drone Wars: The Next Generation: An overview of current operators of armed drones" (PDF). Oxford: Drone Wars UK. p. 12.
  9. "IRGC Ground Force to get Fotros drone". Tehran Times. 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  10. Axe, David (2020-04-28). "Fotros: Iran Has Killer Drones That Can Loiter over a Battlefield for a Day". The National Interest. Retrieved 2021-03-04.


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