| Kowsar | |
|---|---|
| |
| HESA Kowsar | |
| Role | Fighter, advanced fighter trainer |
| Manufacturer | Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) |
| First flight | August 2018 |
| Introduction | 3 November 2018 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force |
| Number built | 4 |
| Developed from | Northrop F-5 HESA Azarakhsh HESA Saeqeh |
The HESA Kowsar (Persian: کوثر, also spelt Kosar)[1] is an Iranian fighter jet based on the American Northrop F-5.[2][3] The aircraft is equipped with new fourth generation avionics in combination with an advanced fire control system.[4][1]
Western analysts have described the plane to be inefficient as a weapon, but having potential for training a new generation of Iranian fighter pilots.[5] According to the Iranian state-media, this fighter jet has "advanced avionics" and multipurpose radar, and it was "100-percent indigenously made".[6] It also uses digital data networks, a glass cockpit, heads-up display (HUD), ballistic computers and smart mobile mapping systems.[citation needed]
- ^ a b "New Fighter Jet Unveiled By Iranian Military". Forces Network. British Forces Broadcasting Service. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Iran unveils new domestically-produced fighter jet". BBC. 21 Aug 2018. Retrieved 26 Aug 2018.
- ^ "Eyeing U.S., Iran unveils new fighter jet". Reuters. August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "European Defence Review magazine". 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ Iran's New Warplane Seen Limited as Weapon, Useful for Training, Michael Lipin, Farhad Pouladi at globalsecurity.org, August 25, 2018
- ^ "Iran starts mass-producing locally designed Kowsar fighter jet". Al Jazeera. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.