Hesa Shahed 278
The Shahed 278 is an Iranian light helicopter developed from the Bell 206 family for training, liaison, and observation duties. It retains the narrow cabin and two-blade rotor of its American ancestor but uses locally assembled systems and Iranian service support. The programme was part of an effort to maintain helicopter capability despite restricted access to foreign spares. Its limited production and almost entirely domestic operation make it a rare type outside Iranian airspace.

Did you know?
The Shahed 278 is Iran's own version of the Bell 206, sharing its narrow cabin and two-blade rotor but built domestically.
Specifications
| Length | 10.2 m (33 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 2.8 m (9 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 10.2 m (33 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 4 |
| Persons on board | 4 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 1.4 t |
| Range | 300 NM (556 km) |
| Maximum speed | 120 kt (222 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 13,000 ft (3,962 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,280 ft/min (6.5 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 280 l |
| Engines | 1x Rolls-Royce 250-C20 |
| Units built | 7 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Hesa Shahed 278 starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Hesa, the Shahed 278 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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