Posted on 03/25/2018 6:03:30 PM PDT by taildragger
Saudi Arabia's capital just came under ballistic missile attack, during which Patriot missile interceptors were launched to intercept. Although it looks like at least one Patriot hit one missile, a missile fragment, or even another missile itself, came careened into the ground, resulting in this amazing video:
The trajectory of the projectile as it approaches the ground is a bit puzzling, it almost looks like it is turning while under control, but it could just be the result of the intercept. Then there is this amazing video of the Patriot missile launches, and it looks like one missile either intercepted an incoming missile at very low altitude or detonated shortly after launch either by command or due to a failure.
Here is what appears to be at least a partially successful intercept:
We still don't know how many ballistic missiles were detected and engaged, or who fired them, but it was almost certainly Houthi rebels in western Yemen. The group has put Saudi Arabia under an increasing threat of missile barrage via ever more capable ballistic missiles that some claim are being provided at least in part by Iran.
Saudi Arabia has ordered a highly elaborate missile shield from the United States in recent months to help defend their territory these types of attacks.
Just three days ago an aircraft belonging to the Saudi-led coalition was shot down over Yemen by an improvised surface-to-air missile belonging to the the rebel faction.
We will update this post as more information comes available.
UPDATE: 2:30pm PST—
It looks like a Patriot went totally amiss. As we pointed out in the first video, the trajectory looked like a missile was being guided prior to impact.
Once fragment from the engagement:
UPDATE: 3:30pm PST—
Yemen's SABA News agency claims the missile fired at Riyadh was indeed a Burkan H2 belonging to Houthi rebels, the same type fired at Riyadh International Airport back in November. It's the most advanced ballistic missile type associated with the separatist group.
The attack may have been part of a larger barrage targeting multiple locales within The Kingdom.
Why not aim for Mecca as well. Too bad these are not big enough to level the cities.
Iran is behind it.
If Saudi Arabia expects to survive in this world, they must show Iran they can fight and win a ground war.
The best place to start is Yemen.
But under no circumstances should we have US ground/specops force in Yemen. Even though we do.
Won’t the Middle East be SO much fun when they have TACTICAL NUKES...?
21st Century Tech meets Feudal Kingdoms.
OH JOY..!!!
We’re seeing the beginning of the new future, here.
Not goid
Bad news if the incoming missiles had guidance systems and the Patriots had trouble intercepting...
Hmmm... I wonder whose doing the maintenance on the missiles , their guidance systems and the tracking radars. If it’s the Saudis its wonder the don’t immediately blow up when the launch command is given.
Rebels are claiming they aimed rockets at several airports around the country in Saudi Arabia.
Better get up extra early tomorrow morning and FILL UP your gas tank before going to work....
Just a thought Israel now has access to Saudi air space
LOL !!!
Having seen several intercepts looks like the video starts after the first incoming has been intercepted and the second patriot is launched either as insurance or at a distant second incoming, which it either hits downrange or the small flash in the background is the self destruct functioning....
The scene is pretty clear to me. The video starts with the falling debris from a close in intercept at the end of an exhaust trail (Patriot missile #1). We also see, at the start, the outward track of a second Patriot still in boost phase (you an see the bright dot from the missile exhaust)(Patriot #2). Then you see the launch of a third patriot, which immediately steers right after launch onto the intercept course. Partriots #2 and #3 burn out and we see nothing from time 14 seconds to time 22 seconds. Then we see a bright flash, which is presumably the intercept by Patriot #2 of its target, then we see a bit later a much brighter flash still, which is the intercept of Patriot #3, presumably much closer than the intercept of Patriot #2 given relative launch times, burst times and relative brightness.
I think that the presumption is that the three intercepts were successful since we see no further evidence of a still incoming warhead AND there is no attempt to launch another Patriot - which would be doctrine if one of the further out intercepts missed its target.
I’ll take your word for it. Even my “compatable” browser on the phone won’t play the videos....
Houthese rebels? Who are they?
>>Just three days ago an aircraft belonging to the Saudi-led coalition was shot down over Yemen by an improvised surface-to-air missile belonging to the the rebel faction.
What in the Wide World of Sports is an “improvised surface-to-air missile”!?
Typically this is not something you can gin up in a 3rd World workshop little removed from blacksmithery.
If it is one of the cash load of weapons that Hilda let out on the open market post Bengazi, that will be a $h!+ storm unto itself...
Too much BS to play the vids.
The only country I believe we should have any assets in is Israel. Every other backwards middle eastern country can go civil war themselves to the times before Christ.
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