HESA Simourgh

HESA Simourgh (Persian: هسا سیمرغ) is an Iranian light transport aircraft unveiled on 19 May 2022. The aircraft is a modified version of the Iranian IrAn-140 turboprop airliner (itself based on An-140) and is suitable for transporting goods or even troops.

Development
According to Iranian official sources, the airplane is a modified version of the IrAn-140, which addresses some deficiencies of that design. According to pictures of the prototype Simourgh, there have been some changes to the wings, tail and fuselage compared to the IrAn-140 (the most notable difference being the cargo ramp added to the back of the aircraft).

The first prototype of this aircraft was first unveiled on 19 May 2022 by Iranian official news. According to military officials the plane was in the fast-taxi testing phase.

On 29 April 2023, a picture was published that showed the prototype version doing the fast-taxi test on the runway.

On 30 May 2023, Iranian Ministry Of Defense reported that the aircraft has successfully had its first flight.

General characteristics
As said earlier this aircraft is based on the IrAn-140 and shares lots of characteristics with it. The aircraft is 23m long, 25m wide (with wings) and 8m tall. It can carry 6 tons of cargo,has a range of 3900 km and has a max speed of 533 km/h. Simourgh is suitable for transporting cargo (Including 463L standard pallets, light vehicles and aircraft engines), evacuation of injured people (Able to carry 24 stretchers) or carry paratroopers. The minimum runway length needed for takeoff is 1450m and for landing is 900m.

Difference with IrAn-140
Despite IrAn-140 which has trapezius-shaped wings, this aircraft has rectangular wings to give it more lift. Also the horizontal stabilisers went from V-shaped to completely horizontal. the back part of fuselage has also been modified. But the most notable difference is the cargo ramp added to HESA Simourgh.

Engine
HESA Simourgh is powered by two TV3-117 turboprop engines (probably reverse-engineered and modified version).