Shahed 191
HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries) · Iran · first flew 2016 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Shahed 191 is an Iranian jet-capable blended-wing UCAV capable of both reconnaissance and strike missions, revealed publicly in 2016 during the Moharram 95 exercise.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Blended swept-wing UCAV body with prominent V-tail |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Blended swept-wing UCAV body with prominent V-tail
- Pusher piston engine at the rear of the fuselage spine
- Flat stealthy underside with retractable weapon bay
The V-tail and blended swept-wing body without a conventional fuselage spine (from above, the aircraft looks like a flying wing with a tail) are the defining features. Pusher engine position at rear creates a clean leading edge from the front aspect.
Specifications
- The Shahed 191 has a length of 4.26 m (14 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 4.9 m (16 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Iran's HESA developed the Shahed 191 as a medium-range UCAV with a stealthy planform, drawing on reverse-engineered technology from the captured US RQ-170 Sentinel drone. It was revealed at a military exercise in 2016 and has been claimed to be operational with IRGC aviation units. Small numbers are believed to have been exported or used in proxy operations in the Middle East.
Variants
A turbofan-powered derivative (possibly designated Shahed 161) has been displayed alongside it.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force; reportedly used in surveillance of US naval assets in the Persian Gulf.
Related aircraft
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