Iran Army drills unveils hand-launched drone

The Iranian Army has unveiled a hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle during its military drills underway in the country’s strategic southeastern areas.

Monday marked the second day of the three-day maneuvers codenamed ‘Muhammad Rasoulallah (Muhammad, the Messenger of God) Four,’ which use the country’s general southeastern area as their operational theatre.

The drone, dubbed ‘Farpad,’ is the latest surveillance aircraft of its type to join the battery of NEZAJA, the acronym derived from the Persian name of the Army’s Ground Forces.

The roughly-four-kilogram domestically-manufactured drone can fly as far as 20 kilometers (12 miles) for 45 minutes. It is used in reconnaissance missions and is capable of either storing information or transferring data via online connection.

Should it come under jamming attacks, the aircraft would return to the base, using its autopilot.

The exercises cover an area of 220,000 square kilometers. The first day featured practicing the transfer of rapid reaction units via ground and air from across the country to operation zones as well as the efficacy of the enlisted forces’ response to operational requirements and threats.

The drills also seek to test new defense systems, reduce the average response time to potential threats, and training younger commanders in modern battles.

Various units of Army Ground Forces are participating in the maneuvers, enjoying logistical support from the Army’s Air Force and the country’s Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.