VECTORDEFENCE DRONE
INTELLIGENCE
INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE
THE EVOLVING FIELD GUIDE
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DEFENCE DRONES / THE LIBRARY

Compare the evidence.

Choose up to three systems. Specifications retain their source and configuration; missing information is left undisclosed.

Ababil-3

Iranian runway-operated reconnaissance aircraft with government-reference identification and an operator-reported 2023 exercise appearance.

Country / region
Iran
Programme status
In service / use documented
Sources reviewed
21 Sept 2026
In service / use documentedIn service / use documented
Primary domain
Air
System type
Reconnaissance aircraft
Developer / manufacturer
Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA)
Origin / production countries
Iran
Other names
No additional names recorded
Variants / configurations
Not distinguished in reviewed sources
Operators / programme customers
Iran — Army exercise use reported

Evidence & current status

Service evidence is a dated operator statement; public fleet totals and export variants are not independently established.

Role & capabilities

  • Reconnaissance imagery
  • Automatic and operator-controlled flight

Specifications in context

Airframe
Twin-boom, H-tail fixed wing

ODIN description.

Source ↗
Launch / recovery
Runway take-off and landing

Wheeled aircraft configuration.

Source ↗
Propulsion
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗
Dimensions
5 m span; 3.5 m length; 1 m height

Historic JAPCC reference.

Source ↗
Mass
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗
Endurance
4 hours

Historic JAPCC reference.

Source ↗
Range
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗
Speed
200 km/h

Reference does not define flight condition.

Source ↗
Altitude
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗
Payload
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗
Sensors
Forward camera and rotating imaging installation

Reference describes thermal/night imaging; production standard not specified.

Source ↗
Communications / navigation
Not established in the reviewed public sources.

Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted.

Source ↗