Iran Starts Cloning American Spy Drone

[Krieglord]

So it would seem they have managed to pull it off...

Being Iran im sure their copy will be made for looks more then actual military use...

http://rt.com/news/iran-spy-drone-copy-667/

Iran has completed reverse-engineering of the captured US spy drone and has started building its own copy, Iranian media reports.
The Revolutionary Guard is yet to decode parts of the software the Sentinel aircraft uses, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who heads the force’s aerospace division, said on Sunday.
"The Americans should be aware to what extent we have infiltrated the plane," Iranian Fars news agency quoted the general as saying. "Our experts have a full understanding of its components and programs."
The Pentagon stated that the drone’s security will prevent Iranian engineers from cracking its technology.
Tehran has already copied the Sentinel – as a toy, and sent one to the US as a mocking response to America’s request to hand over the aircraft.

Iran announced capturing RQ-170 Sentinel surveillance UAV in December 2011. The US believed that the aircraft crashed in Iran’s desolate mountainous area, but apparently Iranian military managed to hack into the drone’s control system and bring it down.
Earlier this week Tehran said a number of nations approached Iran over possible sharing of military technology it may have developed through studying its drone prize. China and Russia reportedly showed the most interest.

[Aymer de Valence]

This issue about the drone has bemused me since I first heard of it. How an American drone could be so easily shot down in Iranian territory, and the Whitehouse's humble demand for it to be returned. My guess is it's simply a red-herring created by the Americans

[Imperial]

Iran doesn't have the money or resources to replicate the drone in any significant quantities. If they do build any, it will be an extremely dumbed down version.

This issue about the drone has bemused me since I first heard of it. How an American drone could be so easily shot down in Iranian territory, and the Whitehouse's humble demand for it to be returned. My guess is it's simply a red-herring created by the Americans

You're giving my government too much credit for being clever.

[Dewy]

I doubt that they completely reverse engineered the drone, wouldn't some of it have been damaged when it hit the ground?

This issue about the drone has bemused me since I first heard of it. How an American drone could be so easily shot down in Iranian territory, and the Whitehouse's humble demand for it to be returned. My guess is it's simply a red-herring created by the Americans

I thought that it was a malfunction that made it crash not any of Iran's doing.

[John ''True Grit'' Wayne]

Selling the secrets to China and Russia along the way clever Iranians but resistance is futile they shall obey the Empire of Bush

[Captain Arrrgh!]

Selling the secrets to China and Russia along the way clever Iranians but resistance is futile they shall obey the Empire of Bush

No, selling American secrets to China is firmly Israel's pastime.

Regarding Iran actually reverse engineering, then getting their own version to operate effectively, I don't think this is possible. Not being brought up is the vast amounts of logistical and operational support for these things.
The only way Iran could get something like this to work for themselves is with help from Russia, which is not entirely impossible, since they've had good relations with the Russians going back to the Cold War.

[Col. Tartleton]

No, selling American secrets to China is firmly Israel's pastime.

Regarding Iran actually reverse engineering, then getting their own version to operate effectively, I don't think this is possible. Not being brought up is the vast amounts of logistical and operational support for these things.
The only way Iran could get something like this to work for themselves is with help from Russia, which is not entirely impossible, since they've had good relations with the Russians going back to the Cold War.

China can steal the information on their own, so in fairness the Israelis may as well make a buck betraying us...

[Dr. Croccer]

Well this can only be good.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

That UAV was intentionally designed without the latest stealth and other technologies because they predicted something like this would happen.

[Condottiere 40K]

Yeah, but will it fly?

[Phier]

Oh that's so cute! They are into model aircraft. I used to like that sort of thing as a kid, but never 1-1 scale.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Oh that's so cute! They are into model aircraft. I used to like that sort of thing as a kid, but never 1-1 scale.

I can picture thousands of Iranian scientists with little glue sticks putting the wings into place.

[Phier]

I can picture thousands of Iranian scientists with little glue sticks putting the wings into place.

I should be amazed this is a seven page thread over a mock up.

[xcorps]

I should be amazed this is a seven page thread over a mock up.

It's a mockery.

[Sir Pignans]

I should be amazed this is a seven page thread over a mock up.

I don't suppose you actually have any proof that it's a mock-up?

[xcorps]

I don't suppose you actually have any proof that it's a mock-up?

Here's some schematics of the power transfer system

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

and the fuel system

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Guidance system:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Communications Array

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Recon Camera and gunsite:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Satellite Data Link:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mobile storage and recovery system:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Operators:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Maintenance crew

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Phier]

I don't suppose you actually have any proof that it's a mock-up?

Common sense, and I'm not even referring to the 'derp' that is Iran.

Lets say Iran wasn't Iran but a nation with the technological ability to produce such a drone. Now assuming they were able to reverse engineer the drone completely and recreate it, there is no way you would get from that step to a working copy in 5 months.

Making a spy drone is easy, you or I could do it for a few thousand dollars. Making a sophisticated stealthy spy drone, not so easy, and not something you just rush together in working order in five months.

So tell me, if someone put a million dollars on the table and knew the answer to the "drone" question and said, "Is it a working copy of the US drone, or is it a mock up that can't even fly? If you get it right I'll give you this money." Which would YOU pick.

[florin87]

big deal. spy drones are pretty basic tech.

[Denny Crane!]

Of course they can clone it.

Papier maché is not expensive.

[Krieglord]

100$ says their first drone copy will be painted with the Iranian flag all over it

sooo stealthy