AFM on the Iranian Azarakhsh

The latest AFM issue said the Azarakhsh is a “10-15%” larger rework of the F-5 with shoulder intakes and two RD-33s!!!

Now, the MiG-29 has two RD-33s. It weighs in at 10900kg empty. Or about twice as much as a F-5 at 4900kg empty weight.

A 15% larger F-5 would be about 5700 kg.

So two RD-33s on that would give the Azarakhsh an astronomical TWR from two 8300 kg RD-33 engines. That’s a 5700kg plane with a thrust of 16600kg.

Realistically, there is simply no way for a F-5, even one that is 15% larger to take two RD-33s. It has to be the size of a MiG-29 and, even at its size, the MiG-29 has a problem with endurance and range.

But an interesting development if Iran is attempting to enlarge the F-5 and give it a set of more powerful engines.