Emirzad
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- Dec 23, 2023
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A recent pic of the upgraded F-4E/D "Dowran". The program included extensive airframe and engine overhauls along with installation of Bayyenat-I Pulse-Doppler PESA radar. With its ~700 T/R module Antenna, it can track aerial fighters at ranges up to ~100-150 KM. Dowran can integrate Fakour-90 but the G-Limit reduces to 3.5 which makes such a large RCS itself vulnerable. The upgrade also included onboard ECM = RWR+Jammers while it can also carry external ECM pods (ALQ-119 based Shahin) for additional e-warfare.
For ground strike, Dowran can deploy 8.5 Tons of Sat/EO/TV/IIR/Laser guided PGMs on 9 (18 with multirails) external hardpoints and 2 x LACM upto 750 km. For maritime strikes, Dowran can launch 2 x Ghader Sea-Skimming AShCM with a range of 330 KM.
Considering Iran has an F-4E/D rebuilding assembly line that can massively pull back the hours on the airframe, and how versatile this airframe is as an attack aircraft, it will be foolish to retire it unless we get 150+ SU-35S (stupid to even think). We know 63 airframes are FMC and some 20+ are just lying around. If all can be overhauled and upgraded then suddenly the we get a strong strike force.
Potential upgrades
- 80 x Airframes, overhauled+refurbished
- Radar Bayyenaat-I gets AESA antenna
- Datalink with fighters, UCAVs & IADS (same as Kowsar)
- Integrate local AIM-7 "Arash" and Azaraksh HOBS for BVR+WVR.
- Integrate SDB PGMs for multirail launch.
- Integrate Abu-Mahdi AShCM (1000 KM) & Paveh LACM (1650 KM)
- Integrate ALBM that can gain a lofted Apogee for range.
Every airframe counts in the end and few aircraft available to IRIAF for purchase can match the attack capabilities of F-4E/D.