Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh (photo) says Iran has begun production of the third generation of Iranian fighter aircraft, the Qaher-313 (Conqueror). The first generation was the Azarakhsh (Lightning), although no photos have been seen of the plane other than singly. The second generation was the Saeqeh (Thunderbolt), of which photos showing more than a dozen lined up on a runway have been shown. The Qaher was unveiled in February, but critics said it did not look real, with a cockpit that was too small for a normal-sized pilot and an engine that was recessed in the fuselage so it would likely set the plane on fire when lit up.
