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.

[okie01]

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.

Surely, you have better things to pee your pants over.

[exit82]

You are too good to me! Thanks!

[Mo1]

Missle fired from the ground to a target on the ground

Ok thanks .. ground to ground just sounded like it was doomed from the begining .. lol

[pt17]

I'm pi$$ing my pants

I trust you're not Helen Thomas or one of those other thumb-sucking bed-wetters who's always asking DOD stupid questions. In any event, if you're wearing dark pants, it won't show as much.

[Izzy Dunne]

Experts say the repeated failures in the engines of the ground-to-ground missile will undoubtedly delay its production

So how do I get to be an "expert", anyway?
Must take YEARS of training.

[GregB]

Gee Bernie Swartz aren't we a little testy this morning. Maybe a trip to Iran will help you...

[CRAW]

And the Red Cross is starting a special fund for the families of the victims.

[CRAW]

Rack....you should run this up on Political Humor/Cartoons, ROTFLMAO....you have a talent that should not be wasted you are one funnyyyy,.... what ever.

[stboz]

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

Hmmm. Battlefield lasers?

ZZZZAAAAAP!!

[VMI70]

Ok thanks .. ground to ground just sounded like it was doomed from the begining .. lol

Now I see how you were looking at it. Maybe the Iranian ragheads made a mistake and dialed in a range of 100 meters instead of 100 kilometers, just like our NASA "scientists" did with the Mars shot, when they calculated the distance in miles, then inputted it in kilometers. Now THAT was a stupid mistake.

FReegards

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

i bet they have cut a check already to hillarys pac

[VMI70]

LOL -- "Ground control to Major Tom..."

[VMI70]

imam	member since January 28th, 2002

Sigh...Yet another "moral equivalence" disruptor. When will they ever learn?

FReegards,

[Rain-maker]

The Shahab-3 is similiar to the North Korea (No-dong) and Pakistan (Ghauri II).

North Korean Designation	Iranian Designation	Quantity
Scud-B	Shahab-1	50-300
Scud C	Shahab-2	50-450
Nodong	Shahab-3	150+
Taepo-dong-1	Shahab-4?	1-2 (R&D)
Taepo-dong-2	Shahab-5?	1-2 (R&D)
Taepo-dong-X	Shahab-6? Click blue highlighted missiles for links to sites	--

[Fifth Business]

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.

Here's a restatement of Rack's position to make it a little more cogent. Notice I said a little.

I'm in such an excited state I'm loosing control of my bowels! Why isn't the United States trying to appease Iran and acting in an overtly friendly way instead of trying to demonize them? Most citizens of that country are quite fond of American culture and have no ill will towards U.S. citizens. I've seen some estimates that as much as 75% of the country is friendly towards the U.S.

I'll tell you what I think. I think the U.S. government needs foreign enemies so that it can keep the military industrial complex operating at capacity. The U.S. government is especially fond of making enemies of states in the Middle East.

Well, if you warmongers on Free Republic want to support the U.S. government in its efforts to subsidize corporate America and the rich elite capitalists who are profiting from this war machine, why don't you ask your children to enlist?

But if you do then you are a sucker.

Alternate interpretation of the last sentence:

Anyone who responds to this troll is a sucker.

[rs79bm]

The Boomerang effect worked as intended. That will teach them.

[vannrox]

(sarcasm) How convient!
It shows that they are technologically not a concern.
Phew! Am I relieved.
Now we can ignore them.
Phew!
President Bush was Wrong...Phew!


(/sarcasm)

[vannrox]

[vannrox]