Iran's air defenses.

[ABBAFAN]

Could a Vulcan or similarly equipped bomber get through Iran's air defences?What kind of condition are they in?

[SUBMAN1]

No.

-S

[Enigma]

Russia sold them Tor M-1 missiles in 2007.

Out altitude capabilities would be a problem for them, however....

[SUBMAN1]

They also sold them S-300's - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA-10A_Grumble

They also have a mixture of upgraded SA-2's, known as Sayyad-1 in Iran, and have a system based on the Chinese HQ-7 (An ultra low altitude missile) and it is known in Iran as Shahab Thaqeb.

-S

[Max2147]

In terms of aircraft for air defense, Iran has a pretty interesting mix of planes:

They've got the MiG 29: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-29A-(9-12A)/1494589/M/

They've got the F-14's left over from the Shah's days. They're still flying, but I don't know if they're combat capable: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...cat/1494015/M/

Also from the Shah's days, the F-4 Phantom is still flying: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...-4E/1486518/M/

They've also got some planes that fled Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. Here's a Mirage F1: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...1BQ/1345290/L/

And here's an Il-76 AWACS plane: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...nan/1345546/L/

Then there's the really interesting native modifications of American designs. First, a twin-tailed derivative of the F-5... in Blue Angels colors?: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...ghe/1272144/L/

And to cap it all off, a 747 air refueling tanker! Maybe they could use this for the KC-45 : http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran---Air/Boeing-747-131(SF)/1487680/M/

[Oberon]

Much as I like the Vulcan, I expect that the only way it would get into Iran is as debris

[fatty]

Don't forget Allah's divine will.

[Raptor1]

Well, that's what would happen if you try to get a single bomber that was retired 25 years ago to get through a modern air defense, or any kind of competent air defense for that matter

Well, I suppose it could, given plenty of air cover and SAM suppression, but then, I could get a Cessna through that way too

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Max2147

In terms of aircraft for air defense, Iran has a pretty interesting mix of planes:

They've got the MiG 29: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran---Air/Mikoyan-Gurevich-MiG-29A-(9-12A)/1494589/M/

They've got the F-14's left over from the Shah's days. They're still flying, but I don't know if they're combat capable: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...cat/1494015/M/

Also from the Shah's days, the F-4 Phantom is still flying: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...-4E/1486518/M/

They've also got some planes that fled Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. Here's a Mirage F1: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...1BQ/1345290/L/

And here's an Il-76 AWACS plane: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...nan/1345546/L/

Then there's the really interesting native modifications of American designs. First, a twin-tailed derivative of the F-5... in Blue Angels colors?: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran-...ghe/1272144/L/

And to cap it all off, a 747 air refueling tanker! Maybe they could use this for the KC-45 : http://www.airliners.net/photo/Iran---Air/Boeing-747-131(SF)/1487680/M/

well, considering parts are very hard to get in Iran for those things.

given they could be reverse engineered i suppose... but i would put any single U.S. or Royal Eagle Driver up against 3 of Iranians best pilots any day of the week.

in the end it is the man... not the machine that wins the fight.

[baggygreen]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

given they could be reverse engineered i suppose... but i would put any single U.S. or Royal Eagle Driver up against 3 of Iranians best pilots any day of the week.

in the end it is the man... not the machine that wins the fight.

I dunno..

Man plays a big role, yes, but we're talking 30 and 40 year old tech (in the aircraft & avionics) against top of the line modern fighters with BVR capabilities.. thats like comparing a 1970s f1 racecar against todays top of the line ferarri or similar

[PeriscopeDepth]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

well, considering parts are very hard to get in Iran for those things.

given they could be reverse engineered i suppose... but i would put any single U.S. or Royal Eagle Driver up against 3 of Iranians best pilots any day of the week.

in the end it is the man... not the machine that wins the fight.

The Iranian Air Force does not promote like larger Air Forces do. Many of the pilots there are VERY experienced.

Oh and also:
http://geimint.blogspot.com/2008/06/...-overview.html

PD