- @
- Followers:
No Tweets Found
CNN POLITICS ON FACEBOOK » | CNN POLITICS ON TWITTER »
Iran unveils squadrons of flying boats
Iran's Defense Ministry released photos of what it says are its new radar-evading flying boats, the Bavar 2.
Iran unveiled three squadrons of new flying boats on Tuesday, Iranian news agencies reported.
The craft, dubbed the Bavar 2, is armed with a machine gun and carries surveillance cameras, according to a report from the Iranian Student News Agency.
"Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the few countries which managed to design, build and use flying boats in a short time," said Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who oversaw the delivering of the aircraft at the Bandar Abbas naval facility on the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz.
The delivery comes as Iran celebrates its Week of Sacred Defense, which commemorates its eight-year-long resistance to the 1980 Iraqi invasion, according to the Fars News Agency.
The flying boats look like one Iran used during Persian Gulf war games in April 2006. Media reports from the time include a video of a flying boat taking off.
After those 2006 reports, bloggers poked fun at Iran’s so-called stealth technology, saying the flying boat looked like something anyone could buy in kit form from mechanical magazine ads.
On Twitter
On Twitter
@cnnbrk on Twitter
I think there's been a misunderstanding. "Radar-evading" doesn't mean the application of "stealth" technology, it means that radar and air defense crews will fall on the floor laughing when they see these things thus allowing them to penetrate airspace. These things look like they'll be more dangerous to their own pilots than anyone else. That may be the strategy though. If they crash enough of them in the straights of hormuz the debris may form a hazard to navigation. Those tricky Iranians.
Can I get this with a towing package? Possibly a CD player?
It looks like the Iranians are now equipped to capture snorkelers if they stray into their territorial waters.
these things look like a carnival ride at disney world...whats next spinning teacups of death? i feel sorry for the reject pilots slotted for this airframe hahahahaaaa!
Time to re-commission the USS Missouri (aka "Mighty Mo") to take on these nasty varmints!
Obama needs to bow to Iran and let them do whatever they want. They are peaceful!
Ha ha. OMG ...that looks like WW2 era plane technology. Pathetic.
They are proud of this???? I needed a great laugh today and this has done it.
Granted, Bond in "Little Nellie" could probably handle all these guys. However, these could be viewed as a poor man's cruise missile, especially if they were used kamikaze-style on tankers in the Gulf.
I don't think most of us are dismissing these as useful for asymmetric warfare or for stopping commerce. It's just the whole serious tone of the report that's hilarious. Gotta love that quote - "Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the few countries which managed to design, build and use flying boats in a short time".
In small areas of water these fast easy to turn suicide boats could do some real damage to US Ships in the Persian Gulf. These ships are designed to do massive damage by swarming a larger slower US ship. Makes perfect sense. It only takes a few to get through to cause billions in damage. So laugh all you want, but the US needs to rethink its approach in the gulf. Best to send in super fast ships of our own which can engage these craft before they ever get close. And these craft do change the rules of engagement. See one coming at one of our ships – blow it out of the water – no choice.
A 14 year old with a .22 could shoot them down. More than likely they will deploy them against their own people.
DO A BARREL ROLL!!!!!!
When I saw the photos my jaw dropped, I broke out in a cold sweat and my hands starting shaking uncontrollably. I've never been so terrified in my life. Pity the lives of our brave servicemen if Iran ever unleashes those weapons on them. Wonder what an A-10 would do to one as it flew over it? I don't think the Iranians want to consider that.
Yeah try to fly and evade a Phalanx CIWS shooting at you. lol
yeah, if he flew s biplane. Red Baron had a triplane. Bam!
If you'll pardon me for mentioning this, modern culture has memorialized Baron Manfred von Richthofen, aka "the Red Baron," with the red Fokker triplane in which he died, but in fact he scored most of his 80 official victories while flying biplanes.
Mehdi General Dr Bad
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
YOU Iidiot americans keep teling our self how smart and greta you are as you set nice and safe and hide.
from your leaders to you all spinless cowards.
set and run those mouths and stay stupid.
serve those arabs and jews, get drunk,take a pill go shop.
as you die and I now Laugh.
September 28, 2010 at 11:21 am | Report abuse | Reply
Keith
Well, we can spell correctly...unlike you. Also, very easy to talk like that on the internet. You wouldn't dare do it to our face! So who is spineless here?
September 28, 2010 at 11:28 am | Report abuse |
The funniest part of this is that the Iranians actually believe they have developed a sophisticated weapon of war, enough to show it off to the public, like their "Ambassador of Death" show, with the painted sky backdrop and the flower petals on the wings, looked like an old V-1. My God those guys are funny though.