Iran: March 16, 2000

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Iran has completed testing of two new variants of its Ababil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and reports them ready to enter service. Ababil-T is a stealth suicide attack drone, carrying a warhead of unknown type and size. It is a twin-tail design, and is equipped with GPS. Ababil-S is a recon and surveillance drone equipped with a mission computer, a camera capable of real-time pictures, GPS navigation, and multi-channel digital communications. It has a maximum radius of 150km with a maximum ceiling of 4,300m (14,000 feet). It travels at 300kph and is recovered by an on-board parachute when it returns over friendly territory.--Stephen V Cole