Fajr-5

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Fajr-5
Type Rocket artillery
Place of origin Flag of Iran Iran
Service history
Used by See Operators
Wars 2006 Lebanon War
Production history
Designed Said to have started after late 1980s/early 1990s
Manufacturer Aerospace Industries Organization, Sanam Industrial Group, Defense Industries Organization[1][2]
Specifications
Length 10.450 m[3]
Width 2.540 m[3]
Height 3.340 m[3]

Caliber 333 mm
Elevation 0 to 57 degrees[3]
Traverse 45 degrees left and right[3]
Rate of fire 4 to 8 seconds[3]
Muzzle velocity 60 km/hr[3]
Effective range 68-75 km

The Fajr-5 (Persian: فجر-۵, meaning "dawn-5") is an artillery rocket developed by Iran in the 1990s. The system is part of the Fajr family of rockets.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The latest production of the Fajr-5 is installed on a new Mercedes-Benz 6 x 6 forward control chassis[4] and the platform is now integrated into a complete weapon system rather than an individual launcher. To provide a more stable firing platform four hydraulically operated stabilisers are lowered to the ground before firing.

The new chassis has improved cross-country mobility and the forward control fully enclosed cab provides space for the driver and two passengers. Another fully enclosed cabin to the immediate rear of the cab houses the remainder of the crew. The new Mercedes-Benz chassis is similar to that manufactured in China, which is used as the basis for the Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) 122 mm (40-round) Type 90 ARS.

While the primary role of this artillery rocket system is the engagement of land targets, AIO says that a radar can be added to give the system the capability to track and engage naval targets. The Fajr-5 missile, which is launched from a mobile platform, reportedly has a range of 75 kilometers, or 50 miles.

[edit] History

The first Fajr-5 were created when China exported WS-1 MLRS to Iran in the late 1980s/early 1990s[5]. They were then subsequently created and produced by Aerospace Industries Organization.

In May 2006, Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) has developed an upgraded version of the well-established Fajr-5 333 mm (4-round) unguided surface-to-surface artillery rocket system (ARS).[6]

[edit] Combat Record

It is reported that Iran has supplied a number of these rockets to Hezbollah forces in Lebanon in 2006.[7]

  • During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict Hezbollah militants fired rockets deeper into Israel than in past conflicts. Hezbollah has called these rockets the Khaibar-1.[8] Israeli police bomb experts believe the rockets are an enhanced version of the Iranian-made Fajr-5 rockets. The attack attained the longest range of its kind from the Lebanese border to date.[9]

[edit] Operators

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Aerospace Industries Organization. Retrieved on May 13, 2008.
  2. ^ It's assumed that AIO is responsible for Fajr-5's production since nti.org claims that AIO is responsible for producing missiles of all types except ballistic missiles.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Fajr-3 & Fajr-5 brochure. Retrieved on May 13, 2008.
  4. ^ Fadjr-5. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
  5. ^ Vital Perspective: North Korea. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.
  6. ^ Foss, Christopher F. "Fadjr-5 artillery rocket system gets new chassis", Jane's Information Group, 2006-05-08. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
  7. ^ "Le Hezbollah tire des missiles "au-delà de Haïfa" alors que les raids aériens israéliens s'intensifient", Le Monde, 2006-07-29. 
  8. ^ Gannon, Kathy. "Hezbollah Fires New Rockets Into Israel", Associated Press, 2006-07-28. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
  9. ^ Roffe-Ofir, Sharon. "Fajr-5 missiles fired at Israel", YNet, 2006-07-28. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
  10. ^ Iran's Missile Exports. Retrieved on May 12, 2008.