Iran missile trial fails, casualties reported

Ha'aretz ^ | Ffebruary 10.2002 | By Ze'ev Schiff

[Rain-maker]

Iran missile trial fails, casualties reported

By Ze'ev Schiff

A recent trial of the Iranian Shihab-3 missile failed when the engines exploded, reportedly causing a number of casualties. Experts say the repeated failures in the engines of the ground-to-ground missile will undoubtedly delay its production - however this does not mean Iran does not have operational missiles capable of reaching Israel.

Western sources say the failed trial took place three weeks ago and for the first time the blast claimed casualties and, according to one source, lives. No official Iranian announcement of the mishap has been made.

The first trial launch of the Shihab-3 took place on 23 July, 1998, and caught Israel and other intelligence services by surprise. Iran announced that the launch was a success, however closer scrutiny suggested this was not the case. The missile lifted off and stayed airborne for about 100 seconds, and then crashed. Experts said the failure was due to an engine problem.

The second test launch was also declared a success. It later emerged that the Iranians had installed a North Korean engine in the missile, not an Iranian one. North Korean know-how has been instrumental in the development of the Shihab-3. However, recent efforts to harness Russian expertise in dealing with the engine problems of the Iranian missile have failed to yield positive results.

Israel succeeded in convincing the U.S. of the need for a third deployed battery of Arrow anti-ballistic missiles to counter the Shihab-3 whose range is estimated to be 1,300 kilometers.

Experts say the Shihab-3 failures will only delay the program, and they note other efforts by countries to develop ballistic missiles, suggesting that it is only a matter of funds and time before a missile can be made ready for production.

Another possibility is that if Iran seeks to have the Shihab-3 ready for deployment, it may choose to use the more reliable North Korean engines. North Korea also provides missile technology to Syria and Egypt.

Iran is also developing Shihab-4, with an estimated range of 2,000 kilometers. The development of the long-range system has caused a degree of concern in Western Europe. In spite of Tehran's promises to Europe that the development of the Shihab-4 would be halted, it appears Iran is continuing work on this project.

[Rain-maker]

Aww too bad for Axis of Evil Dimwits

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Boom.
.One less axis

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Iran missile trial fails, casualties reported

Bummer!! < sarcasm >

[Lent]

The blowed up REAL good!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

If the Iranians think that this is a bad deal, just wait until they experience B-52 strikes. They will never be that sorry again. Just ask the surviving Taliban!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Maybe Bush's strategy is working. . .
rush the project along. . .

[Lancey Howard]

I have this nagging feeling that the US has taken Mossad-style "work accident" technology to whole new.... heights.

[Travelgirl]

Good thing klinton is not still president. He would make sure the problem is fixed.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I have this nagging feeling that the US has taken Mossad-style "work accident" technology to whole new.... heights.

Yeah, I was kind of wondering about that myself.

Gee, it sure is a bummer about that failed test. :)

[ET(end tyranny)]

The development of the long-range system has caused a degree of concern in Western Europe.

Maybe they will wake up and stop dragging their feet.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

klinton would show them where they went wrong and then sell them new rocket technology at fire-sale prices.

[mvonfr]

The development of the long-range system has caused a degree of concern in Western Europe.

Maybe they will wake up and stop dragging their feet.

When Iran takes out a couple of European capitals, they might.

[weikel]

Ping.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The development of the long-range system has caused a degree of concern in Western Europe.

Is this the same Western Europe that has been telling us that we are out-of-order by expanding the war to Iraq, Iran, and N. Korea? Those morons better wake up and figure out what the hell it is they want. They're thinking like American liberals and they're going to get bit on the backside in a big way. And with their lack of support toward America, a country that has done their fighting for them for the last century, they'll be seriously bummed when they have to solve their own problems.

[Travis McGee]

Maybe it's the NASA surplus O-rings.

[rbmillerjr]

News Flash - Moslem Theocracy equals Pyro for Dummies

However, results are reliable in that they are indeed consistent with other war options.

[Squantos]

LMBO !!!........Probably the iranian pilot and crew that died........they did understand this was a missle correct ? :o)

[green team 1999]

let`s try to keep loral away from iranians,or they will give the technology away!

[jrewingjr]

Weekend at Bernieschwarz and Loral will be on their way over there shortly to help.

[MJY1288]

Just another example of how Islam = Peace and Love