Iran's state television has aired footage of what it described as the test flight of a drone which Tehran says is a replica of an unarmed U.S. aircraft captured in 2011.
The 30-second clip, broadcast on November 12, showed a delta-winged black aircraft flying over arid lands before landing at an unnamed air base.
General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of aerospace forces of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, said Iranian scientists improved the efficiency of the American RQ-170 Sentinel.
Hajizadeh also said Iran will build up to three such drones before the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which falls in March.
Iran said it had taken control of the RQ-170 Sentinel in December 2011 and forced it down where it was recovered nearly intact.
Washington said it crashed after experiencing a technical glitch.