The pilot sits in cockpit that sports transparent windscreens forward and to the sides. The cockpit sports relatively heavy framing, as in a Western attack helicopter, and flat panel windows which limit visibility considerably. The view to the rear is wholly blocked by the fuselage and engine mounting (a common limitation to all military helicopters). Beyond that, it is assumed that the cockpit is well modernized with digital functionality and multi-function displays to ease pilot workload. Beyond the standard machine gun armament in the nose, it is assumed that the Shahed's armament wingstubs will support all manner of air-to-air/air-to-surface weaponry including missiles, rocket pods, cannon pods and gun pods. If plumbed, fuel tanks will increase the operational range of the aircraft considerably. The Shahed has already been photographed with its nose-mounted machine gun and seven-shot rocket pod on the starboard side wingstub.
Power for the small helicopter is based on the Allison 250-C20B series turboshaft engine. Prototypes have been fitted with a lower-rated Allison breed. The single engine will drive the two-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor in a conventional fashion. Its single engine fitting will lower maintenance costs yet supply the mount with limited performance specifications when compared to her contemporaries.
Some observers have suggested that the Shahed is a stealth-based helicopter due to its boxy-style forward fuselage design. However, there are many features of the aircraft that would betray this thinking including the many outcroppings found on the Shahed such as the fixed skid undercarriage, the addition of wingstub pylons for external ordnance (as opposed to internally-held armament) exposed rotor assemblies and the vertical tail fin. There seems to have been no attempt at masking the rotor mast, the vertical tail unit nor the engine intake and exhaust ports. Close inspection will also reveal that only the forward section of the aircraft features angular faces - the aft portions seemingly giving away its Bell 206 origins with their rounded surfaces.
Despite the limitations, the Shahed will no doubt find some value on the modern battlefield, especially concerning its lower procurement cost. As such, it may become a strong candidate for export sale if Iranian authorities choose to do so one day. The product will no doubt be of interest to customers who have a low desire to deal with the West.
The Iranian military eventually wants to showcase the Shahed 285 in three distinct forms. The first will be known as the AH-85A and operate from land bases, being used primarily for light scouting. It will be armed with 1 x 7.62mm machine gun and 2 x 7-shot 2.75" rocket pods as standard. The AH-85B will be a land-based derivative with a heavy attack-minded battlefield role. The AH-85C is intended as a dedicated navalized form with search and tracking facilities and support for anti-ship armament including missiles.
As of this writing (2012), the Shahed is beginning to enter service with Iranian military forces. It is assumed that serial production is, therefore, underway. Its actual battlefield "threat" to Western forces is suspect, however, for the type lacks much of the design benefits of multi-rotor helicopters that utilize true stealth features and - at the very least - a two-man crew. Time (and ultimately operational service and combat) will only tell of its true battlefield value. At any rate, the indigenous endeavor is an honorable one, showcasing Iran's ability to manufacture military-grade products from within its own industry - even with sanctions limiting outside support.
The name "Shahed" comes from the Urdu word "Witness".
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