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Chakavak [Lark]

The Chakavak [Lark] is a light aircraft designed for both surveillance and training purposes, which can fly up to 14,000 feet. Powered by a single engine, Chakavak can perform 4.5 hours of consistent flight. With a takeoff weight of 750kg and an in-flight weight of 500kg, the aircraft can carry two people - a pilot and an observer. The aircraft has been designed and manufactured by a domestic knowledge-based company.

The contract for the purchase of four Chevyuk aircraft was signed on 02 February 2018 with the knowledge base of the Aerospace Company and the training of technical agents and pilots took place. The first aircraft was transferred to Bandar Abbas this August and the pilot training was carried out by the technical team at Bandar Abbas.

Three Chakavak surveillance aircraft joined Iran’s Navy on 03 December 2019 in a ceremony concurrent with the Navy Week held at Bandar Abbas in Hormuzgan province in the presence of Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi.

The commander of the Islamic Republic's Navy also said that the Navy had a series of light aircraft in the early years of the revolution, many of which were abandoned after the revolution. Khanzadi added: "If this need was not met, it would create a lot of problems".

Today, electronic warfare equipment has been added to the navy, part of the electronic warfare offshore and part of the offshore electronic warfare on board. He added: "The potential for electronic warfare will shift from coast to sea and will open up new areas for confronting the enemy and creating deterrence." So the value of commanding electronic warfare is a strategic one for the Navy, and we expect to see a major leap in this space, Khanzadi said.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere. Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations. Back in February 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities. “Without a moment of hesitation, the country must move to acquire whatever is necessary for defense, even if the whole world is opposed to it,” Ayatollah Khamenei said at the time.

The Iranian Chakavak seems rather similar to the Italian Tecnam P2002 Sierra, a twin seat, single engine light aircraft with a cantilever low wing and tricycle landing gear. Type Certificated according to JAR-VLA Regula-tions, as well as Ultralight/Microlight. The main uses of the P2002 in both the versions are in the recreational and educational field, in the sport, tourist and aerial work flights. The fuselage structure consists of a steel truss framework in the cabin area, capable of providing satisfactory protection in case of crash-landing, and a light alloy semi-monocoque cone for the aft section. The engine mount and nose wheel fittings are directly connected to the steel truss framework through the fireproof bulkhead. The empennage fittings are installed in the last two frames of the tail cone.

Both are two seat aircraft, and both can fly up to 14,000 feet. Chakavak has a takeoff weight of 750kg, while the gross weight of the Tecnam P2002 Sierra 580kg. The transparencies in the cockpit are identical, though there are slight variations in the wing and tail surfaces. Chakavak uses a three-blade propeller, while the P2002JF uses a twin-blade prop. The P2002JF features superlative performance and flying qualities, now confirmed by hundreds of P2002 ultralights, Light Sport and VLA aircraft sold throughout the world and validated in 15 countries other than Europe.