Iran prepares for launch of UAV

TEHRAN, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Military commanders say a new version of Iran's radar-evading unmanned aerial vehicle may go into production as early as September.

Scale models of the new UAV will be tested in the coming weeks with full-scale production set to follow, the Fars News Agency reports.

Gen. Hassan Shah Safi, the commander of the Iranian air force, said the new drone, called Pahbad, would be launched in the coming months.

"The mass production of the drone will begin soon," he said.

Models of the new UAV passed early testing in August, showing its capability as a reconnaissance aircraft as well as a bombing and radar-evading vehicle.

Iran unveiled a series of military breakthroughs earlier this year, adding three new Ghadir-class submarines equipped with stealth technology to its naval fleet. Ground forces commanders are said to be working on "untraceable" weapons as well.

Iran in May launched its Sajjil-2 surface-to-surface missile that has a range capable of reaching Israel.

The UAV announcement comes on the heels of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency that says Tehran is still defying the international community over its controversial nuclear program.