Iran's 'Simorgh' aircraft begins test flights after 15 years of development
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Nov 3, 2025
Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian light transport aircraft Simorgh has officially entered its test flight phase, marking a major milestone after 15 years of dedicated research and development by Iranian engineers and specialists.
If the aircraft successfully completes all operational, safety, and flight tests, it will represent a major step in Iran's path toward domestic aircraft design and manufacturing.
Speaking to IRNA, Mohammadreza Vaghefimanesh, Director-General of the Aircraft Design and Manufacturing Office at the Civil Aviation Organization, said that all stages of Simorgh's design and production were carried out entirely by Iranian experts.
Currently undergoing test flights, the aircraft must complete between 100 to 150 flight hours to meet airworthiness standards for heavy aircraft. It is expected to undergo approximately 70 individual test flights covering stability, control, performance, engine function, and flight load measurements.
Vaghefimanesh noted that the main testing phase will take nearly a year. If all tests are passed and documentation is finalized, the aircraft could receive its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Civil Aviation Organization by this time next year.
Simorgh is based on the Ukrainian Antonov-140 platform but features a newly designed, indigenous rear fuselage and empennage. The aircraft is powered by two 2,500-horsepower engines (totaling 5,000 horsepower), can carry up to 6 tons of cargo, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 21.5 tons with a range of 3,900 kilometers.
The project has involved around 40 experts from the Civil Aviation Organization and over 200 specialists from the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation over the past 15 years.
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