The creation of an effective air defense system is impossible without modern fighter-interceptors based on ground and shipborne radars, as well as radar patrol aircraft and automated guidance systems. If the situation with radars and anti-aircraft missile systems is more or less successful, and modern automated systems and means of warning and communication are being created, then Iranian fighter aircraft and AWACS aircraft do not correspond to modern realities.
After the end of the Iranian-Iraqi war, about 50 F-14A heavy fighters, about 70 multipurpose F-4D / E, 60 light F-5E / F and two dozen Chinese F-7M remained in Iran. About half of American-made fighters were in a defective or disarmed condition, and vehicles damaged in combat and flight accidents were not restored due to a lack of spare parts. "Cannibalism" was a common occurrence, when parts and blocks were taken from machines of the same type to maintain part of the aircraft in flight condition.
It cannot be said that the Iranian leadership did not take steps to maintain the combat readiness of its air forces. In the second half of the 80s, Iranian enterprises began producing some airframe elements and consumables for Tomkats, Phantoms and Tigers. Also, despite insurmountable ideological differences, some parts for fighters were purchased from Israel and the United States. In the late 80s and early 90s, purchases of foreign aircraft continued. China has sold a certain number of its F-7Ms (from 20 to 36 in different sources, perhaps this number includes two-seat FT-7), from our country, according to Global Security, 34 single and two-seat MiG-29s were delivered. The modern MiG-29 fighters at that time seriously strengthened the Iranian Air Force. By the beginning of the 90s, the warranty operational periods of American-made air combat missiles had expired. If the Iranians managed to figure it out with the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder, arrange their repair and restoration, then the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix with a very complex radar seeker, which was the "main caliber" of the F-14A, they were "too tough" … Under these conditions, the MiGs carrying the R-27 medium-range missiles turned out to be the most efficient interceptors, capable of fighting air targets at ranges of up to 80 km. In addition, the MiG-29 with R-73 missiles surpassed any other Iranian fighter in close combat. At the moment, no more than 16 single and 4 two-seat MiGs are combat-ready in the IRIAF.
MiG-29 Iranian Air Force
The MiG-29s were a very desirable acquisition for Iran, but the country with the ruined economy of a protracted war could not afford to purchase large quantities of modern weapons. In 1991, the Iranian Air Force received a surprise replenishment in the form of Iraqi Air Force aircraft fleeing anti-Iraqi coalition airstrikes during Desert Storm. Among the Iraqi fighters suitable for air defense missions were: Mirage F.1, MiG-29, MiG-25P, MiG-23M and MiG-21 of various modifications. According to various sources, there were from 80 to 137 Iraqi Air Force planes at the Iranian airfields. Of course, among them were not only fighters, but also strike vehicles, reconnaissance aircraft and military transport. AWACS aircraft based on the Il-76MD became a very valuable acquisition. Prior to this, there were no cars of this class in Iran. After the end of the active phase of the armed operation, Iran refused to return the Iraqi aircraft, considering them a kind of reparation for the damage caused during the eight-year war with Iraq.
Since the aircraft fleet that flew from Iraq to Iran was very motley and many of the aircraft were badly worn out, the inventory and commissioning of fighters was delayed. So, the Iranians immediately rejected all MiG-23s, as overly difficult to operate and pilot. Apparently, the Iraqi MiG-21, which differed greatly in the composition of avionics and weapons from the Chinese "counterparts" of the F-7M, were used only for training flights. Nothing is known about the fate of the MiG-25P, in any case, without the necessary ground equipment, it is impossible to operate this very time-consuming machine in maintenance. Given the close Iranian-Chinese ties, most likely, part of the Soviet-made aircraft of the greatest interest went to the PRC. The most valuable acquisitions among the captured Iraqi fighters were the French Mirage F.1 and the Soviet MiG-29. By the mid-90s, two dozen Mirages and four MiGs were introduced into the Iranian Air Force's combat composition.
Mirage F.1 Iranian Air Force
We must pay tribute to the Iranian engineers who managed to establish refurbishment and modernization of the Mirage F1BQ and F1EQ fighters, although there were no French combat aircraft in the Islamic Republic before. Of the more than 24 aircraft of this type that flew to Iran, 20 aircraft were put into operation, the rest became a source of spare parts. Perhaps the Iranians managed to secretly purchase spare parts for the Mirages, since these aircraft are still actively operated and undergo modernization. It is reported that the aircraft are being overhauled and modernized at an aircraft repair plant in the city of Tabriz. According to various estimates, there are still 10 to 14 Mirages in flight status in Iran. Their permanent base is the Mashhad Air Base in the northeast of the country. The area of responsibility of the air regiment, which was armed with Mirage F1, was the border with Afghanistan. Particular attention was paid to this area during the years of Taliban rule, but no collisions with Afghan aircraft were recorded. On the other hand, Mirages were repeatedly involved in striking caravans of drug dealers trying to deliver their cargo to Iran. Often these caravans had strong armed guards and anti-aircraft cover in the form of DShK and PGI. It is known that one Mirage F1 was shot down during an operation in the border area, and several more were damaged.
Until now, fighters are taking off in the Islamic Republic, whose age is approaching the 40th anniversary. Iran is the only country other than the United States to have delivered two-seat heavy deck interceptors F-14A Tomcat. Since aircraft carriers were not built in Iran during the Shah's reign, the Tomkats equipped with the Phoenix missile defense system became the “long arm” of Iran's air defense. Unlike other Iranian combat aircraft, Tomkats, despite their impressive combat radius, were not used to strike at ground and sea targets. Their main task was to provide air defense of strategic objects, and the Iranian F-14A crossed the front line quite rarely. In a number of cases, long-range interceptors with variable wing geometry were used to escort strike vehicles. A powerful radar and the presence of a long-range AIM-54A Phoenix missile in the armament made it possible to intercept enemy aircraft before the Tomcat itself appeared on their radar screens. The capabilities of the AN / AWG-9 radar made it possible to detect the Iraqi MiG-23 at a distance of up to 215 km. The navigator-operator was involved in the maintenance of the radar, the issuance of the route when entering the interception line and the guidance of long-range missiles, which allowed the pilot to concentrate on controlling the fighter.
Several American aviation historians claim that Chinese and Soviet specialists familiarized themselves with the F-14A and its weapons in exchange for military assistance. There is no evidence that the Tomcat was tested in the USSR or the PRC, but the radars of great interest, the weapons control system and the Phoenixes could indeed be sold. So it really, or not, we will not know soon, none of the parties to the possible deal is not interested in publicity.
At the same time, "Tomcat" was very time consuming and expensive to maintain and difficult to operate the machine. The situation was greatly aggravated by the fact that one of the first modifications, the F-14A-GR, were delivered to Iran, which had not yet cured numerous "childhood sores". Engines have always been the weak point of the Tomkat, especially in the first modifications. Not only that the "improved" Pratt & Whitney TF-30-414 had insufficient traction for such a heavy machine, at high angles of attack and with a sharp change in speed at supersonic speeds, the engine was also prone to surge. For this reason, more than 25% of the fighters of the first series crashed in the US Navy. Taking into account the fact that during the war years, the Iranian F-14A fleet was reduced by more than 25 machines, and the Tomkats were used mainly as air defense interceptors, it can be assumed that they were mainly lost in flight accidents. At the same time, the Iraqi Air Force claims to have 11 shot down F-14A.
Nevertheless, the Iranians highly appreciated the F-14A for its long range (about 900 km), the ability to be on duty in the air for 2 hours, a powerful radar and had no analogues in the 80s in terms of missile launch range. At a flight speed of 1.5M, the combat radius reached 250 kilometers, which in some cases made it possible to quickly intercept the detected Iraqi bombers. Thanks to the air refueling system, the range and duration of the flight could be significantly increased. Upgraded Boeing 707s are used as refuellers in Iran.
According to data published in American sources, 285 AIM-54A Phoenix missiles were delivered to Iran under the Shah. Apparently, the IRIAF quite actively used the Phoenixes in air battles; by the time the hostilities ended, no more than 50 missiles of this type remained in Iran. It was largely possible to keep the Tomkats in good working order thanks to "cannibalism" and the heroic efforts of Iranian technicians, who managed to support about two dozen fighters "on the wing".
Despite some success in establishing the production of spare parts for American-made combat aircraft, the Iranians have repeatedly made attempts to acquire various parts and electronic components. So, in 2000, a group of foreign citizens was detained in the United States trying to buy used TF-30-414 engines. The FBI also thwarted the activities of a dummy company registered in Singapore interested in acquiring electronic components used in the AN / AWG-9 fire control radar system.
In the United States, the operation of the F-14 was officially completed in September 2006. The aircraft, which had a sufficient resource, went to the aircraft storage base at Davis Montan; several single copies are still available in flight test centers. However, the American government, alarmed by Iran's continued attempts to purchase spare parts for its fighters, a few years after the Tomkats were removed from service, launched a procedure for their total "disposal", which is extremely uncharacteristic for the United States. So, "Phantoms", built in the early 70s, which were in "storage" for more than 25 years, were subsequently massively converted into radio-controlled targets QF-4. Other aircraft, which did not find demand in the United States and were not transferred to the Allies, after a long "storage" were actively sold to collectors and took pride of place in private and public museums around the world. But the F-14 in this respect became an exception, in order to prevent even a hypothetical strengthening of the Iranian Air Force, all Tomkats in Davis Montan were promptly cut into metal. Moreover, specially appointed inspectors made sure that no parts left after "disposal" were not suitable for reuse.
In addition to the shortage of spare parts, in the 90s the Iranian Air Force faced an acute problem of equipping Tomkats with guided weapons. Heavy fighter-interceptors were left without the "main battery", since Iran no longer had usable AIM-54A Phoenix missiles. The available AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder did not allow the Tomcat to realize its full potential.
After the delivery of a batch of MiG-29 fighters and a set of aviation weapons to Iran, a photograph of an Iranian F-14A with a suspended UR R-27 was shown. Perhaps, work on the adaptation of Russian missiles was really carried out, but the task of compatibility of the American radar and the semi-active radar seeker of the Russian missile seems to be a very difficult task. Taking into account the fact that there is no way to do without serious interference in the Tomket's fire control system and alteration of the R-27 guidance system, and there is no information about the transfer of missile documentation to Iran, the success of this venture raises serious doubts.
Another option for rearmament of the F-14A IRIAF was the adaptation for a fighter of a missile created on the basis of the MIM-23В missile defense system. This anti-aircraft missile was used as part of the American Advanced Hawk air defense system, and in the 90s the Iranians managed to establish their unlicensed production. Compared to the UR AIM-7, the engine of which ran for 11 seconds, the MIM-23V missile defense engine worked almost twice as long - 20 seconds. A much heavier missile of a ground-based anti-aircraft complex, with an air launch, accelerating to a speed of more than 3M, could theoretically hit targets at a distance of up to 80 km. Work on the Sky Hawk project began back in 1986, when it became clear that the Iranian F-14A would soon be left without long-range missiles.
Iranian F-14A with Sedjl air combat missile
In Iran, an anti-aircraft missile, converted for use in aviation, received the designation Sedjl, in Western sources it is often referred to as AIM-23C. Since the frequency ranges of the AN / AWG-9 radar and the AN / MPQ-46 illumination radar of the MIM-23 I-HAWK air defense system did not coincide, for use from the F-14A the semi-active seeker of the air defense missile system underwent alteration. The MIM-23V anti-aircraft missile was heavier, wider and longer than the AIM-54A air-to-air missile, so only two missiles could be attached to the fighter. Since the launch processes from a ground-based launcher and from an aircraft board were very different, a special test bench was built in the vicinity of the Isfahan airbase. The decommissioned Tomcat was lifted to a height of several tens of meters, and the first uncontrolled launches were carried out from it. Of course, the fact that the plane was in a static state, and the rocket was not influenced by the incoming air flow, did not allow us to consider these tests completely realistic, but thanks to high-speed imaging, it was possible to determine the optimal time interval required to start a jet engine after dropping the rocket from the plane.
The first test launch from a manned fighter almost ended in tragedy, as by mistake a missile intended for ground test tests was suspended under the F-14A, which almost hit the carrier aircraft. During the second test launch, it was possible to successfully shoot down an unmanned target at a distance of 45 km. According to Iranian data, 10 fighters have been converted to use Sedjl missiles. Aircraft adapted for use in aviation MIM-23В have been repeatedly demonstrated on the ground and in the air. But taking into account the fact that the number of Iranian "Tomkats" in flight condition after the end of hostilities never exceeded 25 units, it is unlikely that many of these missiles were built. Typically, F-14A, carrying missile launchers Sedjl, fly in a pair with fighters equipped with medium-range missile launchers AIM-7 and close-range AIM-9.
A pair of Iranian F-14A, the lead aircraft carries long-range missile AIM-54, medium-range missile AIM-7 and melee AIM-9. On the slave fighter, on pylons at the root of the wing, UR Sedjl are suspended. This type of combat load is atypical and irrational. Apparently, the picture was taken during a test or demonstration flight.
Simultaneously with the development of the Sky Hawk project in Iran, research was conducted on the use of RIM-66 SM-1MR naval anti-aircraft missiles in aviation. However, after successful tests of the UR Sedjl, the development of this project was abandoned.
UR Fakour-90
During the annual military parade in Tehran, on Sunday 22 September 2013, a new long-range air-to-air missile Fakour-90 was demonstrated. According to the commentary that accompanied the show, an original homing system was developed for the "new" UR, created by Iranian designers. A number of military experts are inclined to believe that this design is nothing more than a hybrid of the elements of the AIM-54A Phoenix and the semi-active radar guidance system UR Sedjl, created on the basis of the MIM-23B. The need for such a rocket, in many ways repeating the American Phoenix, arose due to the fact that the IRIAF leadership could not agree with the reduction of ammunition on board the Tomkats, caused by the low weight perfection and large dimensions of the Sedjl missiles.
In the second half of the 90s, as part of the expansion of the combat capabilities of the F-14A in Iran, work was carried out to adapt unguided ground targets. For this, the suspension assemblies were revised, but it is not known whether any changes were made to the composition of the sighting and navigation system. The use of a few heavy interceptors for dropping free-falling "cast iron" and launching the NAR is, of course, not the most reasonable option for the combat use of an aircraft of this class. However, we recently observed similar examples of the use of Russian Su-30SMs in Syria, which is associated with a shortage of guided aviation munitions.
Refurbishment of an F-14A at an aircraft repair plant in Bushehr
According to American estimates, the operation of Tomkats in Iran should have been completed as early as 2005. However, overseas experts were put to shame and the Iranian F-14, contrary to forecasts, still continue to fly, largely due to the fact that the Iranians, not having the necessary technical documentation, were able to organize the production of spare parts. Later, in their defense, the same "experts" wrote that such a long operation of the F-14A is due to the fact that Iranian aircraft do not experience the loads typical of carrier-based fighters during takeoff from a catapult and braking during landing.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-14A, MiG-29 and Su-24M awaiting repair at Mehrabat airbase
Refurbishment and modernization of fighters is carried out at aircraft repair plants in Bushehr and at the Mehrabat airbase in the vicinity of Tehran. In addition to Tomkats, MiG-29 fighters and Su-24M front-line bombers are also repaired here. The aircraft that underwent restoration and modernization were designated F-14AM. At the moment, only overhauled and modernized machines remain in flight condition in IRIAF. The repaired vehicles are painted light blue or wear "chopped" desert camouflage.
One of the few remaining airborne F-14AMs during an air show on Kish Island in 2016
It is no coincidence that in this part, dedicated to the fighter aircraft of the Iranian Air Force, so much attention is paid to "Tomkat". This highly complex and in many ways problematic, but without a doubt an outstanding heavy fighter, for a long time was the main Iranian air defense interceptor. But nothing lasts forever and the years take their toll. At the moment, there are hardly a dozen Tomkats left in the ranks. Their main base in Iran is the Isfahan airbase.
Google Earth Satellite Image: Aviation Exhibition at Isfahan Air Base
Isfahan airbase was built under the Shah. There is a two-row runway with a length of 4200 meters and more than 50 reinforced concrete hangars, in which fairly large aircraft are freely placed. To compensate for the "natural loss" of the F-14A, Chinese-made F-7M fighters were transferred here several years ago, which, of course, is not an equivalent replacement.
