A few days ago, Iran announced a new indigenous stealth fighter: the Qahar 313.
Theaviationist.com has covered the plane in quite a bit of depth. The prototype of the F-313 was presented to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then displayed publicly. The FARS News Agency provided a large number of photos of the jet, showing many of its features.
Iranian television showed videos of the plane, both on display and flying. Starting at 1:48, some computer screens showing the software used to design the F-313 appear in this video.
Do you recognize the programs? The Iranian MEHR News Agency confirmed that the F-313 was designed with CATIA CAD software, and Fluent CFD software.
There are some talented CATIA engineers in Iran. You can check out some of their work at GrabCAD. Still, I’m pretty certain that neither Dassault Systemes nor ANSYS supplied their software products to the Iranian Ministry of Defense—nor to anyone else in Iran—with the intention that it be used to develop military systems. (The U.S. and France are members of a variety of multilateral nonproliferation regimes which likely constrain the export of such software.)
Funny thing though: by all appearances, neither CATIA or Fluent were actually used by Iran to design a new stealth fighter. Rather, they were used to design a non-functional mock-up, and a radio-controlled scale model.
Look carefully at the pictures of the F-313. Even if you’re not an aeronautical engineer, you can see some problems. Size and proportions are wrong. Landing gear are wrong. Cockpit is wrong. Canopy is wrong. There are no service access plates. No nozzle on the jet engine. Too small air intakes, positioned wrong. And the entire plane appears to be made out of plastic (or fiberglass.) In forums around the web, people have been pointing out undeniable signs that the plane shown in the pictures is a mock-up that, as designed, could never fly.
What of the videos showing the F-313 flying? Look carefully. Does it look like a real plane, or a scale model?
The thing that I get the biggest kick out of is this still, from the above video:
Notice that the model is made up mostly of flat non-aerospace surfaces? And notice that the feature tree is all in English? Seems curious to me: Why would Iran design a plane in English and even cover it with English language signage? I don’t have a good answer, other than to guess that the entire project was an exercise to impress people who speak English.
While I am having a little bit of fun with Iran, I’m of the opinion that, if they wanted to actually design and build a jet fighter, CATIA and Fluent would be good tools to use. As a start. But they’d not be enough. Along with other software tools (and a lot of people and process), they’d need some manufacturing equipment that they don’t have, and can’t easily get. To learn more, read The Machines that made the Jet Age, by Tim Heffernan.
Iranian says
If you find the complete video for the second youtube link you’ve referenced, it says in farsi that indeed it is a scaled remote controlled plane. I don’t think they ever showed the real plane flying.This is a good reason not to believe all the fuss about the danger of Iran’s nuclear or military power as they are truly nonsense. You guys should be aware of all the nonsense the hawkish media and politicians feed you. Want to know their true nature? Read this:
http://in.news.yahoo.com/us-backed-plan-launch-chemical-weapon-attack-syria-045648224.html
The story, regardless of being true or not, never received any notable news attention.if this was anything related to Iran,maybe a claim that Iran has this kind of evil intentions, it would be on top of the headlines,maybe a war had started by now.
Long story made short, currently at least 90% of all the talents and experts have left Iran, Iran is under heavy sanctions,unseen by any other nations throughout the history, the economy is in ruins, companies are bankrupt or have stopped most operations, inflation should be assessed monthly (maybe daily) as prices climb more than 100% every month. unemployment is god know how much, maybe more than 50-60%, most people earn less than 200-300$/month, even MPs earn only 500$/month while the expenses equates to those of US or Canada.
Seriously, Dear Mr EVAN YARES,help yourself, Don’t you want to have more ” little bit of fun with Iran”? perhaps you’re worried about software piracy, We are worried for our lives.
Hamid Abbasi says
Are you sure you’re an Iranian?
Why would you post false news of Iran and Iranians?Iran sanctions, who is 30 years old. Nothing new?You can follow the right news from the link below:http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/02/02/286841/iran-unveils-new-indigenous-fighter-jet/
Evan Yares says
I’m not interested in discussing geopolitics here. My post was about the use of design tools on complex development programs.
I did poke fun at Iran, for having created what is an obvious mock-up, and then presenting it as a functioning plane. But my larger point is that you need more than a few good tools (CATIA and Fluent) to design something as complicated as a stealth fighter.
You need people, process, and technology.
I talk about this from a different perspective in the article “Simulating from the beginning” in Design World, at http://www.designworldonline.com/simulating-from-the-beginning/
Evan Yares says
Let’s skip the talk about sanctions, and stick to engineering!
The video at the link you provide is interesting, but does little to inspire any confidence that the Qaher-313 is a real jet. Take a look at this video, where Burt Rutan introduces his ARES “Mudfighter” airplane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG9LlHcX8lgNotice the quality of the fit and finish on the plane? Notice the technical detail presented? And notice that the video includes many close-up shots of the plane flying, and undertaking the kind of maneuvers that you’d expect to see?Interesting thing about the ARES is that it’s a one-of-a-kind. Even though it was technically successful, it was never brought into production, for a number of valid reasons. If Iran ever actually builds a working Qaher-313 prototype, they may discover that there’s a big difference between something working in theory, and working in practice.
Kevin De Smet says
The flat surfaces do look weird, but it has been done before, think F-117
Soheil Samai says
u used to say iranian are unable to stand for american fighters …but just think for some minutes who was fighting in lobnan against USA? and with whose weapons? just think about that….they were iranians and there were all iranians weapons…..so iran has good talents in it and a qualified technology to defence….and i think iran is wont lose the game against USA at all
Dsmith071 says
Quite amazing and the comments from Mr. Yares do seem to make a good case for this aircraft being a fake. The comments about the use of English instead of Arabic are equally interesting and amusing. Perhaps there is a major disconnection as to how many Arab speaking people try so hard in some respects to impress the western world, but continually leave blatant clues which often suggest deception on their part. It reminds me of the first war in Iraq when US aircraft hit a munitions factory that Iraq claimed was a factory which manufactured infant formula. When the film footage made the news, we saw many people who were supposedly employed at the plant who were searching through the debris for survivors or the dead. They all were wearing brand new looking jumpsuits that were clearly lettered on their backs with bold letters which read in English ” Baby Milk Factory”. You just can’t make this stuff up! Hilarious, yet oh so stupid!
Dave Smith
Newark NY
Soheil Samai says
shame on u …..u r realy iranian ?
Paul__Revere says
I would say this is less to impress the west, and more to put fear in their sunni rivals.Propaganda of this nature goes much further in the islamic world than the west…..there are just far too many well-educated people far too connected to everyone else in order for this amateurish ruse to have any real effect on western nations. When you consider what is going on in Syria is in fact an islamic vietnam, Iran playing the role of china and the gulf states of Qatar, Saudi, playing the role of the US…along with their muslim brotherhood pals, then you can see the logic for Iran to do some bluffing. Remember, Saddam walked a very fine line of trying to play the propaganda sympathy card to the UN that he had no nuclear or bioweapons program while at the same time keeping up enough of a ruse to make everyone in the intel world, especially his hated persian neighbors, conclude that he was definitely hiding something. It ultimately got him killed and plunged horrendous destruction on his people. His final appeal in court was for iraqis not to get too wrapped up in hatred of the west, but to always keep focus on the persians (iranians), whom he referred to as the true enemy.
Iran has just recently visited the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt for the 1st time since ’79….this is not insignificant. There is a nascent islamic caliphate being reformed and they are jockeying for dominant control/influence or at least broker a deal where they are partnering that control/influence. This is all to put the gulf states on edge. Somewhere in all this is Turkey, the remnants of the most powerful islamic empire in history. A trip to the largest arab nation to reach some accord with the muslim brotherhood surely will not go unnoticed by Turkey who is allowing their border to be used as a port of entry for weapons and supplies into Syrian insurgent hands. Syrian military doesnt just go shelling Turkish border towns for the heck of it. They know exactly what is going on and they are trying to win the fight for their survival.
Likewise Iran knows exactly what is going on and they are playing all of their cards accordingly.
Histerical in DC says
Now this is funny right here, I don’t care who you are.
‘We have built the amazing stealth fighter jet aircraft using the modern technologies and the power of the Orangutangian peoples, praise be to Allah!’
BWHAA HA HA HA HA HA! You Couldn’t make up stuff this funny.
One day we’re gonna have to fight these little fuqqers. It’ll be called the ‘Iranian Monkey Shoot’ by the pilots who do the dirty work. It’ll take about three days and I just hope we have enough common sense to get them all this time and keep the oil.
Histerical in DC says
Uhm . . . . yeah, but the wings are too small to lift a piper cub, let alone a twin engine jet fighter.
This has to be an early April fools joke or something.
Ggff says
Lol
Pooya_88_beauty says
Iran’s power is greater than ,That America would think
Mark Markovich says
where’s the cockpit lock ??? lol nowhere
Mark Markovich says
yea the OIL !!!
Rivandi says
Your comment shows that you know nothing about Iran and Iranian people. Iranians speak Persian not Arabic and the international language is English so they use it in aviation matters for instance in France the aviation language is not French. When Americans cant tolerate others success specially the one who broke their superiority they say such things.
Mishell bord says
I believe Iran should be destroyed very easily pull up to the international community. Those who are wild and cannibal, drugs are a source of support to terror, they see America as the Great Satan is evil, self-centered,
Iran blasted
Evan Yares says
So… what’s that have to do with CAD?
H.M says
I don’t have any engineering science , to judge that this airplane is operational or not , or even that if Iran made it or not . But you don’t even know what is Iranian people language. FYI Iranian language is Persian AKA Farsi and definitely not Arabic. It would be better for you to not make comments about things that you have no information regarding them , Thanks
Luis de Rivas says
This wouldn’t be a GI-Joe aircraft; it would certainly be a good addition to supplement Cobra’s Night Raven from 1986. See this Cobra rendition of the F-313: http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2725/f313cobra.jpg
Rachel H Berry says
I’m so glad I don’t do export compliance any more ;-)
Rp_gojar says
just compare this toy with f22 then ….
Evan Yares says
I’d say that on a cost/benefit analysis, the F-313 beats the F-22 hands down. It does the same thing as the F22 — sits there and looks dangerous — for billions of dollars less.
Ahmedwali95 says
yeah sure you loser :P
Persianinmaster says
due to the Kaher chief Projectmanager in interview with farsnews
Iran presented an hlaf finished aircraft
The F313 ios only a scale model and not a real jet.
they are working for the first fly
CATIA is used by EADS-Airbus too
http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13911124000700
Hosein_th says
Sorry for all the misery you decided to boycott all parts of the F -313
You now own design Kndvbsazd Americans Agrbkhvahyd an oval where you just need to make it some other countries
Rick Diggs says
Would make a very good starting point for a small homebuilt jet with “working” parts. I think I’ll fire up Solidworks and attempt a prototype …
RogerDodger says
I’m reminded of the conversation between the U.S.A. aircraft and Iranian air traffic control.
“You are in Iranian air space. You will leave now!”
“No, I’m not in your air space.”
“If you do not leave now, we will send up a fighter to shoot you down!”
“I’m a United States Marine FA-18. I’ll wait.”
Silence.
:)
RogerDodge says
By the way. There is much more to being stealth than “meets the eye”. They don’t have a clue.
Tim Jones says
How right you are sir. How right you are.
IP_Detective says
I know for a fact that CATIA is used in Iran. Whether or not the use is related to a legal license, I have no knowledge of. But consider anything available in the Emirates (especially Dubai) to have similar availability in Iran.