Shahab-3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shahab-3 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Strategic MRBM |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2003–present |
| Used by |  Iran |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Iran |
| Variants | A,B,C,D |
| Specifications | |
| Diameter | 1.2 m |
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| Warhead | One (990 Kg) - five cluster warheads in new models (280 Kg) each warhead, each warhead can target different destination. |
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| Engine | Liquid & Solid (for models made after 2006) |
| Operational range |
2,100 km |
| Speed | 5500 km/h, 21 mach in final phase. |
The Shahab-3 (Persian: شهاب-۳, meaning "Meteor-3") is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Iran and based on the Nodong-1. An early variant could fly 1,300 km; a later one may reach nearly 2,100 km. It was tested from 1998 to 2003 and added to the military arsenal on July 7, 2003, with an official unveiling by Ayatollah Khamenei on July 20.
The forerunners to this missile include the Shahab-1 and Shahab-2. The then-Iranian Defense Minister Admiral Shamkhani has denied that Iran plans to develop a Shahab-4.
The Shahab was developed by the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) under the Sanam Industrial Group (Department 140) which is part of the Defense Industries Organization (DIO) of Iran.
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[edit] Shahab-3B
The Shahab-3B differs from the basic production variant. It has improvements to its guidance system and warhead, a few small changes on the missile body, and a new re-entry vehicle whose terminal guidance system and rocket-nozzle steering method are completely different from the Shahab-3A's spin-stabilized re-entry vehicle.
The new re-entry vehicle uses a triconic aeroshell geometry (or 'baby bottle' design) which improves the overall lift to drag ratio for the re-entry vehicle. This allows greater range maneuverability which can result in better precision. The triconic design also reduces the overall size of the warhead from an estimated one metric tonne to 700 kg.
The rocket-nozzle control system allows the missile to change its trajectory several times during re-entry and even terminal phase, effectively preventing pre-calculated intercept points of radar systems - which is a method nearly all ABM systems use these days. As a high-speed ballistic missile and pre-mission fuelling capability, the Shahab-3 has an extremely short launch/impact time ratio. This means that the INS/gyroscope guidance would also remain relatively accurate until impact (important, given the fact that the gyrosopes tend to become inaccurate the longer the flight lasts). With that guidance system, the Shahab-3B could achieve an accuracy of around 30-50m CEP or even less[citation needed]. The Iranians have already proved of developing even more precise systems - their Fateh-110 missiles have an electro-optical terminal guidance system. Shahab-3B is not known of having anything similar, but should be fully dependent on INS and, probably, GPS.
These improvements would increase the Shahab-3B's survivability against ABM systems such as Israel's Arrow-2 as well as being used for precision attacks against high value targets such as command, control and communications centres.
[edit] Shahab-3C & D
Little is known about Shahab-3C and Shahab-3D. From what can be gathered, the missiles have an improved precision, navigation system, and a longer range. The missiles were indigenously developed, and are being mass produced.
[edit] History and tests
The Shahab-3 was first seen in public on September 25, 1998, in Azadi Square, Tehran in a parade held to commemorate the Iranian Sacred Defence Week.
Iran has conducted at least six test flights of the Shahab 3. During the first one, in July 1998, the missile reportedly exploded in mid-air during the latter portion of its flight; U.S. officials wondered whether the test was a failure or the explosion was intentional. A second, successful test took place in July 2000. In September 2000, Iran conducted a third test, in which the missile reportedly exploded shortly after launch. In May 2002, Iran conducted another successful test, leading then-Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani to say the test improved the Shahab-3's "power and accuracy." Another successful test reportedly occurred in July 2002. On July 7, 2003, the foreign ministry spokesman said that Iran had completed a final test of the Shahab 3 "a few weeks ago" that was "the final test before delivering the missile to the armed forces," according to a New York Times report.
On November 9, 2004, Shamkhani said Iran could mass-produce the missile.
On November 2, 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of military war games. Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including Shahab-2 and Shahab-3 missiles. The missiles had ranges from 300 km to up to 2,000 km...Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster warheads in them with the capacity to carry 1,400 bombs." These launches come after some United States-led military exercises in the Persian Gulf on October 30, 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of weapons of mass destruction [1].
[edit] Operators
Iran: Air Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution
[edit] References
- Shahab-3: an Advanced IRBM
- Encyclopedia Astronautica
- Iranian Missiles, from Sarbaz.org, website of former Iranian Imperial Army loyalists[dead link]
- Ballistic Missiles of the World[dead link]
- Shahab-3 MRBM from Military Periscope[dead link]
- Russia and the Development of the Iranian Missile Program
[edit] External links
- (Czech) Írán - Námořní cvičení—visual comparison of Shahab-3B and Fajr-3
- Iran Set to Try Space Launch by Shahab 3[dead link]
- Missile Proliferation In the Middle East (authorization required for access)
- Janes Defence Weekly Volume 43 and Issue 37 Iran's ballistic missile developments - long-range ambitions
[edit] See also
- Military of Iran
- Iran's missile forces
- Iranian military industry
- Current Equipment of the Iranian Army
- Shahab-1
- Shahab-2
- Shahab-4
- Ghadr-110
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