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.

[Rubber Duckie]

How dare you besmirch the name of our illustrious ex-president! He would only sell them the technology after they made an appropriate contribution to the DNC. Did Loral come cheap?</sarcasm>

[rack42]

I'm pi$$ing my pants.

There are elements (approx 75%) that like the US.

When are we gunna suckup to them? Why aren't we sucking-up to them?

I'll tell you why: cuz the US gov wants enemies, especially in the Mid-East.

The US _needs_ a wartime economy.

So, suck-up to the retoric; send your children to fight for Enron, Chase, Warburg, and the like.

Sucker.

[MJY1288]

BINGO

[apastron]

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

Yeah. Real bummer...

[Illbay]

Darn, wouldn't it be terrible if this was due to CIA sabotage?

[Lancey Howard]

LOFL !!!
I was sitting here wondering if the crew graffitied a slogan on the nose of the missle before they blew themselves to smithereens, LOL!
"Barbara Olson, back at me." "Uh...., I mean" BOOM!

[doug from upland]

I'm sure Bernie Schwartz could step in to help.

[rbmillerjr]

I avoid spelling and correcting such errors but when an overly unintelligent post comes along - it's hard not to laugh and advise you to use spellcheck.

Sucker?? Your parents are the suckers for thinking they had you in a school that was teaching you how to think.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I can't even comment on this reply. Try again after you've sobered up. I hope you're not driving anywhere tonight.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yeah! Good picture.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I'm pi$$ing my pants.

Then it's time to lay off the beers and go to bed.

[PRND21]

I'd surmise that the Iranian techs failed to properly disengage the circular plastic disk found at the base of the Picalo Pete.

[Ken H]

LOL! He does have a way with words.

"I'm Gonna Get You, Sucka"

[imam]

what the hell does islam have to do with some country making missiles? does the fact that america has wepons of mass destruction tarnish cristianity?

[rbmillerjr]

Profound observation.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

There are elements (approx 75%) that like the US.

It's the other 25 % that worries me. And especially the 1% of crazies who have all the power.

Only about 5% of the Soviet people belonged to the Communist Party and fewer had the power. We put the pressure on the few to improve the lot of the many. It worked against the Soviet Union.......it will work much faster against the "axis of evil".

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

Too bad for them that science of the Howard Brothers' Rocketometry didn't work out for them.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

A recent trial of the Iranian Shihab-3 missile failed when the engines exploded, reportedly causing a number of casualties

I wish I had a front row seat.

[RichInOC]

IN A.D. 2002...TEST WAS BEGINNING.
[BOOM!]
REZA: WHAT HAPPEN?
FARHAD: WE SET UP US THE BOMB.

[MJY1288]

Pleae accept my apoligy, that response was meant for another thread, not this one. (I must be getting tired)