Iran launches first spy drone

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TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Iran Sunday launched a domestically made long range high-altitude drone, state media reported.

At a ceremony marking Defense Industry Day, the Islamic Republic unveiled what it described as its first stealth bomber drone called Karrar, the Iranian Student's News Agency, ISNA, said.

The unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, is capable of flying at high altitude for long distances at high speed, ISNA said.

Press TV said the drone is capable of carrying a military payload of rockets to bomb targets on the ground.

Earlier this month, the Fars news agency said Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi described the drone as having bombing and reconnaissance capabilities.

In March 2009, Iran started construction of a plant in the northern province of Mazandaran to mass produce various types of UAVs.

Hamed Saeedi, managing director of Farnas Aerospace Co. in charge of the project, said plans are under way to produce additional drones and unmanned choppers.