Army-2024 – Iran unveils the B1 Bavar reconnaissance and strike loitering munition
The Iranian B1 Bavar reconnaissance and strike loitering munition was presented for the first time at the Army-2024 military exhibition
As explained at the Iranian stand, the quadcopter drone is designed to detect and destroy stationary or moving targets at short ranges. If a target is detected, the Bavar will destroy it, while if the flight mission is cancelled the B1 returns to the launch site and is made ready for a new flight after replacing the battery.
The drone maximum take-off weight is 7 kg, the payload weight being 2 kg. The drone dimensions by the propellers are 580 x 580 mm. Depending on the type of target to be hit, the Bavar B1 can be fitted with a rod-type warhead containing 40 metal rods, or with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead containing 200 fragments each weighing 1.5 grams. An optoelectronic camera fitted with a 10x zoom is located under the warhead and provides high-quality images. A removable battery is installed at the rear of the platform.
The drone is controlled by one operator; it takes less than 5 minutes to assemble the Bavar and prepare it for flight. The drone takes off and returns to the launch site in vertical mode. Bavar B1 drones can be used in a swarm, with up to 10 units in one sortie.
The Bavar B1 system includes: a ground control station with a display and antenna, a quadcopter, a warhead, a battery, and an optoelectronic camera. According to information available the drone endurance in the strike version, fitted with a 2 kg warhead, is 25 minutes, while that in the reconnaissance configuration, without the warhead, is 35 minutes. The data link allows an operating range of 10 km; in the strike version the flight range is 12 km while in the reconnaissance version it is increased to 15 km.
The Bavar B1 maximum speed is 80 km/h; it can fly against a wind with a constant speed of 30 km/h, and also withstands additional gusts of wind 20 km/h.
It must be assumed that Iran did not accidentally choose the Army-2024 exhibition to demonstrate its Bavar B1 loitering munition. Currently, the airspace over the Ukrainian theatre of military operations is saturated with loitering munitions and FPV-drones. The daily consumption of these munitions along the entire front is measured in thousands of units. Therefore, it is possible that the new Iranian development may appear in the Ukrainian theatre of operations and undergo testing there in real combat conditions.
