RAAD | |
---|---|
Type | Anti-tank missile |
Place of origin | Iran |
Service history | |
In service | 1997 - Present |
Used by | See Operators |
Wars | 2006 Lebanon War |
Production history | |
Designer | KBM[1] |
Manufacturer | Parchin Missile Industries, Defense Industries Organization[2] |
Produced | 1995 |
Number built | 1,500 missiles[3] 2,250 by 2004[4] |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Weight | 11.78 kg (Missile) 23 kg (Guidance System) |
Length | 982 mm |
|
|
Effective range | 400 - 3000 m[5] |
|
|
Speed | 120 m/s |
Guidance system |
MCLOS |
The RAAD (Persian: رعد, meaning "thunder") family of missiles is manufactured in Iran and based on the Soviet 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank guided missile with a range of a few kilometres. It is not to be confused with Pakistan's Ra'ad cruise missile.[7]
From 1996 to 2004, a total of 2,250 RAAD missiles were produced in Iran.[4]
Contents |
It was said that plans to start production of the RAAD started in 1994 when Chinese and North Korean assistance was enlisted in producing missiles to boost its domestic weapons industry[8] followed by actual production in 1995[4] with the actual weapon being unveiled by Defense Industries Organization on April 30, 1997.[9] Due to shortage of Western-made anti-tank weapons, it forced Iran to seek out alternate anti-tank weapons that included the purchase of the 9K11 Malyutka.[10]
In 1998, it was reported that Iran had begun producing an improved version of the Russian AT-3B . The new missile was called the Improved Raad or I-Raad with improvements that include a new front airframe fitted with a tandem high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.[2]
Israel had captured some quantities of the RAAD on the Karine A in January 2002.[11]
Hezbollah said they used variants of the RAAD in the 2006 Lebanon War.[12] Iran was said to have been responsible for supplying Hezbollah with the RAAD.[13]
For Improved RAAD, it includes an upgraded tandem warhead that would defeat ERA.[7] A video camera-based SACLOS guidance system is also implemented,[2] mounted on a tripod.[10]
Improvements include a new tandem warhead system and a new frame.[5][14] All RAAD and I-RAAD missiles can be changed to the I-RAAD-T version by possibly changing the warhead and missile frame.[5][14]
The RAAD has almost the same gear as the 9K11 Malyutka, from the battery to the guidance unit with a simulator that can be used to train two operators on using the RAAD.[2][15]
|
|