New Iranian drone carrier

It has long been known that this container ship was taken out of civilian service and transferred to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, newly released photographs show that this time the ship's refit was much more extensive.

The basis was an old South Korean container ship built in 2000. Last year the team fleet a ship converted from a similar container ship had already entered, but the alterations on it were minimal, and it did not arouse much interest.

Unlike the previous ship, Shahed Bagheri received an almost full-fledged flight deck with a corner deck, a springboard and an aircraft lift. However, the deck design raises questions. On modern aircraft carriers, the side decks are directed outward to “separate” departing and landing aircraft or to increase the number of departures. Here the corner deck is directed inward. Perhaps this was done to increase the overall length of the deck, since the superstructure interferes, but the gain of 15-20 meters is doubtful. Is it worth it? It is still unknown, perhaps operation will show this, and based on its results some changes will be made.

The second incomprehensible moment is the springboard. Theoretical calculations and practical operation have proven that the optimal angle is from 7 to 14 degrees. Here we have about 20 degrees. Perhaps they are trying to lift heavier UAVs in this way. Perhaps there are other reasons.

Also, there are no arresting devices on the deck yet; the deck length of about 170 meters will not be enough to stop heavy and high-speed jet UAVs. Perhaps they will be installed later, but there are no signs of this yet. Perhaps they came up with some other device.

The dimensions of the onboard elevator are approximately 15-18 by 10-12 meters, quite sufficient to lift almost all Iranian UAVs and helicopters with folded rotor blades.

Defensive armament is not yet visible. It will be minimal: short-range air defense missile systems, anti-aircraft artillery with radar guidance. Anything else just doesn't make sense, it has no chance in a real naval battle.

But the experience of relatively quickly and inexpensively converting a container ship into an aircraft-carrying ship is very interesting. Including for Russia.

Comments

[maiman61]

Don’t worry about the Iranians, they don’t do anything stupid! And try to catch up with them!

[Andrei Nikolaevich]

Yes. Persians are smart people. Thanks to them for "Shaheds". Otherwise, in our Moscow Region the army was only “reformed” in parades.

[ganjour]

The Iranian fleet has sunk en masse. I don't think there's any need to chase it down.

[Mavrikiy]

Yes, of course, the container ship has not turned into a full-fledged combat ship with guaranteed combat stability, but it will occupy its niche.

[ganjour]

Already occupied its niche at the bottom..

[aszzz888]

But the experience of relatively quickly and inexpensively converting a container ship into an aircraft-carrying ship is very interesting.

They do it and don’t stand still - that’s already good. I believe that those who made calculations for certain types of weapons - UAVs, or something else more interesting, did not take them out of thin air.

[Vugigugi]

They have drones with a moped engine. I wonder if the runway is enough to take off?

[Roma 1977]

They are launched with the help of powder accelerators right from the spot. They need a deck for landing, not for takeoff.

[TermNachTer]

There are also those who need a deck for takeoff; boosters are good, but this is not a catapult.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: TermNachTER

There are also those who need a deck for takeoff.

By the way, about the side deck.

However, the deck design raises questions. On modern aircraft carriers, the side decks are directed outward to “separate” departing and landing aircraft or to increase the number of departures. Here the corner deck is directed inward.

It’s simple - it’s to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the ship...


But seriously, you are right -

Quote: TermNachTER

Well, I won’t say that this is some kind of global breakthrough. This is what they were going for. But, in any case, well done.

Let us remember that we laughed at “barbecues” quite recently. And to take a closer look, the big question is what might be more useful in a modern war - such a “trough” with a couple of hundred drones or an American AUG, which will not fit in every sea.

[TermNachTer]

I don't think they just stuck it on. There is a meaning in it, it’s just not clear to us yet.
The world and the wars in it are changing rapidly, let's see what happens next. We don’t care, we have nowhere to go from the planet)))

[Lev_Russia]

Let us remember that we laughed at “barbecues” quite recently.

Well, everything is correct... Then those who laughed rushed to install the same barbecues on their tanks, and those who installed them were already laughing at them... And the one who laughs last laughs best...
PS Igor, hello!!! You haven’t looked here for a long time... Is everything okay with you...???

[Zoldat_A]

A lion, ! Thank you, everything is fine. I was on vacation - a series of holidays, starting with August 2 and Builder's Day, aggravated by two weddings - a friend's son and a niece. I’m looking for a place near my house to erect a monument to my heroic liver.

Quote: Lev_Russia

He who laughs last laughs best...

Ever since I served in the army, I like the phrase “he who shoots first laughs best”...

[Aken]

In the coastal zone and in closed waters, a fleet of mosquito drone carriers of a couple of dozen each would be useful. With a minimum crew, or even completely unmanned.
Reconnaissance drones, reconnaissance hunting drones, boat drones, ship drones, air defense drones, etc.
Yes, plus a couple more comfortable barges for operators.
In short, the whole complex.

[decimalegio]

This is one of the reasons. But there is also a need to leave the flight deck clear in case of accidents. I wouldn't want to be on the command bridge, located midship, in case the plane couldn't land.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Decimalegio

I wouldn't want to be on the command bridge, located midship, in case the plane couldn't land.

For some reason, I remembered K. Zidi’s 1983 film “Banzai!” with Coluche. The moment when a stoned Japanese pilot bombed the streets with suitcases and landed an airliner on an aircraft carrier.
I think those who were on the aircraft carrier had unforgettable impressions...

[TermNachTer]

Well, AVika also has an add-on, just a small one. Why this one wasn’t reduced in size, I don’t know. In my opinion, such a high height is not needed, there are no containers. Although possible for antennas.

[Andrei Nikolaevich]

My submariner friend, when asked if the aircraft carrier was a good ship, said: “Excellent! An easy target.”

[TermNachTer]

It's not that simple. The mattress makers have AUG accompanied by MAPL - not a gift at all.

[cpls22]

Quote: Roma-1977

They are launched with the help of powder accelerators right from the spot. They need a deck for landing, not for takeoff.

It will be interesting if they remove the arriving cars from the runway with a crane back, ensuring a non-stop cycle of launches.

[TermNachTer]

By the way, the presence of a stern platform for helicopters also raises some doubts. Why is it needed? There is a normal deck with an elevator.

[cpls22]

Quote: TermNachTER

By the way, the presence of a stern platform for helicopters also raises some doubts. Why is it needed? There is a normal deck with an elevator.

In order not to interfere with helicopter flights and UAV launches, these are different functions, and the need for them may arise simultaneously.

[TermNachTer]

There is an elevator to lift the helicopter to the flight deck. How will they lift the turntables there? Is it only in the variant - he flew in and sat down. Perhaps the superstructure will be equipped with a hangar for storage and maintenance, the dimensions allow.

[Alexander Salenko]

They have nuclear energy, are there many such countries? There’s no need to paint the Persians as stupid; Israel was hunting nuclear physicists for a reason. Well, it’s probably easier to create a drone, minus.

[Dutchman Michel]

They are following the path of the first aircraft carriers, which were originally converted from coal miners

[TermNachTer]

Well, it's not exactly an aircraft carrier. Although this is not the first attempt by the Persians to convert a ship for military purposes.

[PN]

The shadowy genius of the Iranian engineer commands my respect even more than the Chinese.

[Egeny]

...if you consider that the Chinese copied everything we did and then upgraded it

[Alexander Salenko]

I can’t share this opinion and disagree, too, I think based on resources and opportunities, they are working on their own. But what the Persians give out is simply my applause.

[TermNachTer]

Well, I won’t say that this is some kind of global breakthrough. This is what they were going for. But, in any case, well done.

[VicktorVR]

2000 is this old?
If it were "Liberty", then yes, it's old :)

[TermNachTer]

24 years is already a fairly decent service life for a vessel. It can be used for 50 years, with repairs, but it will be converted into a combat unit. Although, one must understand that during the hull work, both the underwater part and the power plant were screwed up, fortunately the parking in the dock allowed.

[Gomunkul]

24 years is already a fairly decent service life for a vessel.

Our Admiral Kuznetsov has been in service for 33 years and there are no plans to write him off yet.
And the Iranians are great, they know what they want and what they are striving for, unlike us.

[TermNachTer]

The ships are built according to military shipbuilding standards, everything is a little tougher there. That’s why I say that thank God the Mistrals remained in France.

[Gomunkul]

What I meant was that Iranians adapt to changing conditions faster than us. What we are still just discussing, they are already building, i.e. gain experience and skills, and for little money.

[TermNachTer]

Do the Persians have a choice? They have been under sanctions for 40 years. If they had not adapted quickly, they would have been devoured. Especially with enemies like theirs.

[Gomunkul]

You might think that we had no enemies. And sanctions against our country by the United States continued to apply even after the collapse of the USSR. The Jackson-Vanik amendment became the Magnitsky Act.

[TermNachTer]

Yes, but not as tough. The brutality started in 2014 and intensified in 2022. What sanctions could have been introduced against the USSR? He himself could inject it against anyone.

[Gomunkul]

If the Russian Federation cannot be equal to the USSR in terms of the strength of retaliatory sanctions, then it is necessary to take an example from the Iranians, who have achieved significant success during the period of sanctions against them.

[TermNachTer]

For now, we need to get through this difficult period. Further, God willing, it will be easier.

[Alexander Salenko]

But this is still a regional ship, our shock horses on the Black Sea are MRKs

[TermNachTer]

Well, depending on how you look at it))) he most likely has autonomy - mom, don’t worry. The dimensions of the body allow you to place reserves of fuel, lubricants, food and spare parts for the drones, it’s even difficult to say how much. Two or three months at the very least. Although it all depends on how and where the Persians are going to use it. If they are going to use it very close, we increase the impact component accordingly. The maximum number of UAVs, fuel and ASP for them, respectively, the maximum number of maintenance personnel for them, control posts. Although, I think that the design there is “flexible” - modular. You can “play” in both directions, quickly and with minimal modifications.

[Alexander Salenko]

It is logical, the argument is balanced and serious, so it is accepted without any reservations.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: TermNachTER

Well, depending on how you look at it)

I propose to look at it from the perspective of combat stability and fire safety.
1. This is not a specially built ship with design solutions for unsinkability, stability and organization of fire fighting.
2. With such a “raunchy” island, he will create such turbulence for his UAVs that they better immediately write a one-way ticket. Which is probably what is envisaged, as for Shahedov 136, for example.
3. AIA funds have not yet been reviewed. But the main ASP for such boxes will be Harpoons... which are not the easiest target even for our not-so-recent ZOS.
4. I don’t know how they do with AP training, but fighting a fire on an Avik is still a pleasure. This is about the issue of aviation reserves, fuel and other flammable liquids/airborne substances.
So, we can't count on long-distance raids, and hanging around our coast under the cover of coastal air defense and IA is no fun. Therefore, I suggest we tone down the admiring cries and think about what we can do to cover the forces in the DMZ. Such "Frankensteins" definitely won't work there.
AHA.

[TermNachTer]

1. Ships, including aircraft carriers, burn equally well. Judging by the depth of the re-equipment, I believe the issues of the Belarusian Lifestyle have been worked out. The dimensions allow the rubber dams to make both a double side and a double bottom. I think that aviation gasoline will be stored deep below, inside, behind concrete walls. Add additional DEG at the ends in waterproof enclosures.
2. The take-off is in front of the superstructure, so it won’t have much of an impact. Here is the feeding platform, but it will have problems with turbulence. But, I think the Persians calculated everything in advance.
3. For a “harpoon” such dimensions and VI will be a problem. Provided that the crew will competently conduct the fire safety, you will need about 5, or even ten. And provided that the air defense missile system shoots down something, and such an option is not excluded, the “harpoon” is already very cakey, and even worse.
4. Their “assistant” stuck out in the center of the Red Sea and corrected the work of the Houthis, and no one did anything to him. The question here is not one of stupid copying, but of creative rethinking. His task is not with aircraft carriers; conflicts can be of varying intensity and with different opponents.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: TermNachTER

Judging by the depth of the refurbishment,

Anyone who is at least a little familiar with a shipbuilder knows for sure: remodeling is always much more painful than building according to the original design. I hope you are familiar with this. Personally, I have learned this truth in practice.
The rest is truisms for freshmen. Respect yourself and your interlocutors, do not stoop to platitudes. Sincerely.

[TermNachTer]

Well, TUS passed into the naval corps. It is clear that remodeling is always more problematic than building from scratch. But everyone has always been involved in converting ships into auxiliary ships.

[Kuziming]

We need floating air defense batteries and drone carriers in the Black Sea, albeit in a stripped-down form, like small platforms for launching kamikaze drones.

[Rom8681]

Quote: maiman61

Don’t worry about the Iranians, they don’t do anything stupid! And try to catch up with them!

They’re not trying to do anything, they just write that they destroy thousands of enemy soldiers per day.
The ship is old from 2000, and ours is from those years, so it turns out new, well, what journalists are not sheep

[agond]

If the takeoff line diagonally intersects the ship's hull, then the task of landing a drone on a moving ship will be a very difficult task (on conventional aircraft carriers, aircraft land strictly along the hull, approaching from the stern), this suggests that disposable drones will be used.

[TermNachTer]

On AVika there are aerofinishers, 150 m is enough if the hook was on 1 or 2 cables. The aero arrester is not yet visible here. The difficulty of landing will depend on the landing speed of the UAV; if the ship travels at a maximum speed of 22 - 24 knots, this is 50 km/h.

[agond]

If you land on such a diagonal deck, you need to calculate the point of intersection of the UAV course with the ship's course, and the UAV must be in it with an accuracy of up to a fraction of a second (otherwise there is a risk of hitting the superstructure with its wing) and then when the UAV wheels touch the deck, a lateral force will inevitably arise in them, because both the ship and the plane are moving and not along one line, but along two intersecting lines. Conclusion: the deck is intended only for takeoff

[TermNachTer]

Both the UAV and the ship are on almost parallel courses, the crossing begins literally in the last seconds before touching the deck. There are certain problems, but I think that the Persians are not bad either, this option was initially assumed.

[TermNachTer]

There is a video - it has already started sea trials.