Is Iran targeting the Dolphin?
Posted on 12/12/2005 7:55:09 AM PST by SmithL
Iran has successfully tested surface-to-sea missiles with a range of 110 kilometers (68 miles), Iranian state television reported Monday.
The testing of the Silkworm missiles was the most important project of Monday's military maneuvers in southern Iran, the television said.
It said the Silkworms have a speed of 290 kilometers (180 miles) per second and a range of 110 kilometers (68 miles). They can detect targets from a distance of 15 kilometers (9 miles) and have the capacity to destroy a warship.
The report did not say whether the missiles could carry nuclear warheads.
Iran's armed forces began their biggest military maneuvers Friday in national waters in the Sea of Oman and Indian Ocean, close to Pakistan. The drills involved submarines, warships, missiles, jet fighters and gunships.
On Sunday, Iran commissioned its second domestically-built submarine, a vessel that can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously.
According to recent reports, Germany has agreed to sell Israel two Dolphin submarines for a deeply discounted price. According to Jane's Defense Weekly, it has the capability to launch cruise missiles with nuclear warheads.
Iran produces the Shahab-3 missile, capable of reaching Israel and US forces stationed in the region. Since 1992, it also has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.
Hey UN ... What are you gonna do about this??
Idiot reporters.
Ping
Hey UN ... What are you gonna do about this??
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Not to worry -- Kofi is on the job -- I figure about ten years and fourteen UN resolutions will do it --- just like they handled Iraq and Sadman Insane.
Flat tops.
Wow, it could be fired and hit its target in less than a third of a second at max range, we better buy some of those!
Obviously this reporter was a journalism major.
So, the missle will get to its target in half a second. Pretty impressive if you ask me!
"290 kilometers (180 miles) per second"
I don't think so. It prob is 180 MPH. 180 MPS is 648000 MPH.
That's impressive!
The Silkworm is a 45-year-old missle.
Has AP fired all their editors?
Chinese derivative ?
Man, I want to watch this mother take off! ;)
Indeed, our AEGIS cruisers will detect them the second they launch and two SM-2 Standard missiles will blow them out of the sky. If not then the ESSM or Phalanx can have at em.
Doubt that, but they could effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz. Wouldn't be the first time, either.
Damn that light-speed barrier. It's unattainable. Where's Mohammed Abdul Ali Yeager when you need him?
MAKER: CHINA TYPE: CRUISE MISSILE LENGTH: 20 FEET 6 INCHES SPAN: 9 FEET 2 INCHES RANGE: 50 MILES DIAMETER: 29.5 INCHES WEIGHT: 5,500 POUNDS EMPTY ENGINE: SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER - LIQUID ROCKET CRUISE TOP SPEED: MACH .8 WEAPON LOAD: 852 POUNDS HIGH EXPLOSIVE
Sea-skimming missiles have a hard time staying down at that speed.
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