Islamic Iran to build new indigenous helicopter

Iran’s Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology is building an indigenous eight-seat helicopter which will be unveiled in the next two years.

The University Chancellor Majid Qasemi said on Sunday that researchers are conducting numerous hi-tech projects, including the production of a domestically-designed and -developed civilian chopper, a new satellite called ‘Saar’ (Starling) as well as radar-evading coatings for aircraft.

He added that experts at Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology are currently teaming up with technicians from Amir Kabir University of Technology as well as Iran University of Science and Technology to design a domestic car chassis.

On January 2, Iran unveiled its latest combat helicopter Toufan 2 (Storm 2) during a ceremony attended by the country’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.

Vahidi described Toufan 2 as being a new generation of combat helicopters with advanced technologies such as high-precision targeting capabilities.

Iran unveiled its first domestically manufactured helicopters during the inauguration ceremony of the Sixth International Aviation Industry Exhibition on December 12, 2012.

Panha 1 and Panha 2 helicopters are designed to conduct military operations and logistic missions, and can carry 14 and 8 passengers respectively.

Shahriyar, a completely overhauled medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter with a capacity of 20 passengers, was also displayed during the 2012 ceremony on Kish Island.