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Monday, October 13, 2009     FOLLOW UPDATES ON TWITTER

Iran's new indigenous fighter-jet modeled after U.S. F-14

NICOSIA Ñ Iran has introduced its new indigenous fighter-jet, the Lightning, into service.   

Officials said the Iranian Air Force has introduced the first Lightning fighter-jet into service. They said five Lightning aircraft were deployed by the air force in the second half of 2009.

"The air force is pleased with the performance of these planes," an official said.


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Lightning was first seen in an air demonstration by the military in Teheran on Sept. 22, Middle East Newsline reported. The plane was said to have been modeled after the U.S.-origin F-14 and F/A-18 fighters.

Officials said Lightning was certified in mid-2009. They said the aircraft underwent a series of trials at the air force base in Isfahan.

Iranian air defense commander Gen. Ahmad Mikani said the introduction of Lightning was part of the modernization of the air force. Mikani said the air force was overseeing the development of several models of air defense systems, including that which could intercept cruise missiles.

"We are now at the height of our defensive capabilities," Mikani said.




Comments


Actually it looks more like an F5 or an F20 (with twin tails) depending on the number of engines.

John D.      1:24 p.m. / Monday, October 19, 2009


This "lightening" aircraft is likely one of their old U.S. supplied aircraft with an F-18 looking body glued on. If Obama ever develops cajones, our fighters could quickly achieve air superiority over Iran. But that is unlikely. The only thing coming from our telepromter in chief is rhetoric.

Pavlos Xorofas      8:50 a.m. / Saturday, October 17, 2009

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