Iran Tests Missile

Enoch · Apr 2, 2006

Fox News

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran announced its second major new missile test within days, saying Sunday it has successfully fired a high-speed torpedo capable of destroying huge warships and submarines.

The tests came during war games that Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have been holding in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea since Friday at a time of increased tensions with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program.

The Iranian-made torpedo — called the "Hoot," or "whale" — has a speed of 223 miles per hour, said Gen. Ali Fadavi, deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards' Navy.

That would make it about three or four times faster than a normal torpedo and as fast as the world's known fastest, the Russian-made VA-111 Shkval, developed in 1995. It was not immediately known if the Hoot was based on the Shkval.

"It has a very powerful warhead designed to hit big submarines. Even if enemy warship sensors identify the missile, no warship can escape from this missile because of its high speed," Fadavi told state-run television.

It was not immediately clear whether the torpedo can carry a nuclear warhead.

State-run television, which stopped its normal programs to break news of the test, showed a brief clip of the launch from a ship into the waters of the Gulf. Television pictures also showed the torpedo hitting the target, a ship on the surface of the water.

The new weapon could raise concerns over Iran's naval power in the Gulf, where during the war with Iraq in the 1980s Iranian forces attacked oil tankers from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, prompting a massive U.S. naval operation to protect them. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is based on the tiny Arab island nation of Bahrain in the Gulf.

Cmdr. Jeff Breslau of the 5th Fleet said no special measures were taken by U.S. forces based on Bahrain in reaction to the Iranian war games, even after the latest missile test.

"They can conduct exercises whenever they want and they frequently do, just as we do. We conduct exercises throughout this region," he told The Associated Press by telephone.

He would not comment on whether the new torpedo represents a threat to American forces in the region.

"In general terms, no matter where we operate in the world, we're aware of other capabilities that exist and of other countries that aren't as friendly to the U.S., and we pay attention to those capabilities," he said.

On Friday, the first day of the war games, Iran test-fired the Fajr-3 missile, which can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads. The Guards said the test was successful.

More than 17,000 Revolutionary Guards forces are taking part in the weeklong maneuvers. On Sunday, paratroops practiced a drop in an attack on a mock enemy position, and warships, jet fighters, helicopters and sophisticated electronic equipment were used in other exercises.

Iran, which views the United States as an arch foe and is concerned about the U.S. military presence in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan, says the maneuvers aim to develop the Guards' defensive capabilities.

Iran has routinely held war games over the past two decades to improve its combat readiness and test locally made equipment such as missiles, tanks and armored personnel carriers.

The missile tests and war games this time around coincide with increasing tension between Iran and the West over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.

The United States and its allies believe Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran denies that, saying its program is for generating electricity.

The U.N. Security Council is demanding that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities. But an Iranian envoy said its activities are "not reversible."

Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.
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KenH · Apr 2, 2006

Iran is not Iraq. I hope the Bush administration, the Blair administration, and the Israeli government have learned the difference. Attacking Iran would not be a "cakewalk" in any sense of the word.

SpiritualMadMan · Apr 3, 2006

Lots of saber rattling... Just like saddam...

But, I don't think we will allow ourselves to be suckered in again, this time...

If they manage to get a warhead past Phalanx and actually hit one of our ships...

Or, an Israeli ship...

We will attempt to hold off the retalitory strike from Israel... Might not be able to depending upon the strength of the attack...

But, we have enough conventional sub-launched cruise missiles to *never* have to set foot on Iranian soil...

A few high altitude B-52 carpet strikes or FAE drops would permanently cripple Teherans Insanity...

I think if they are stupid enough to even try...

Politcal fallout or not, we should forget the civilians and take the kid gloves off and let 'em have it...

Never having set foot on the ground...

People didn't like the pre-emption in Iraq...

So, in one large warship hit with a tactical nuke we could lose what we lost on 9-11 and what we've lost, to date, in Iraq... (Aircraft Carriers are a likely target.)

But, that's ok... Because American's are Imperilistic Illegitimate Children of Female Dogs and Deserve to die so *real* freedom can exist.

I'd rather talk softly and carry a big stick...

Unfortunately, if you just swagger with the stick hung at your side while bullies taunt and snub their noses at you...

Sooner or later they lose all respect for the big stick and try something *really* stupid...

But, that's OK...

Remember America **IS** the bad guys!

Mike Sr.

SpiritualMadMan · Apr 3, 2006

Just saw a Video where they showed video from the test...

Here's the deal...

This is supposed to be an UNDERWATER Missile capable of reaching sustained speeds of 200 mph...

If true this is a serious threat to our ships...

Phalanx is an airborbne anti-missile system...

I am not sure what it would take to intercept multiple launches of such a system...

But, if true it is a serious threat to *every* civilian and military vessel in the area...

Mike Sr.

200 mph guided and underwater? Unfathomable! Incredible! Boy, would I love to see the actual vehicle and test data!

KenH · Apr 3, 2006

I imagine that our military already has a defense for this in the works and will have it deployed by the time the Iranians make this operational, if it is not already deployed.

SpiritualMadMan · Apr 3, 2006

I don't know Ken...

I Hope So...

But,

Nothing I have *ever* heard of even comes close to it...

Not even in pipe dreams, or nightmares...

The only 'good' thing is that it leaves a very noticeable trail behind...

Possibly some kind of anti-torpedo...

If it could be launched in time...

Of course, I'll bet it's got quite an accoustic signature, too...

I pray it's something our people have already known about and have had counter-measures under development for...

It not something I'd want to face as a squadron commander. That's for sure.

Mike Sr.

Enoch · Apr 4, 2006

Iran Says It Can Handle Any Invasion

TEHRAN, Iran - A top Iranian military official said Tuesday the country can now defend itself against any invasion originating from outside the region — a clear reference to the United States — as it tested a second new radar-avoiding missile.

The new surface-to-sea missile is equipped with remote-control and searching systems, state-run television reported. It said the new missile, called Kowsar after the name of a river in paradise, was a medium-range weapon that
Iran had the capability to mass-produce.

It also asserted that the Kowsar's guidance system could not be scrambled, and it had been designed to sink ships.

Shortly after the test, the chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, warned that Iran was now able to "confront any extra-regional invasion," referring to the United States without mentioning it by name.

"The missile command of the Guards' naval force ... via positioning various types of surface-to-sea missiles, is able, while defending the coastlines and islands, to confront any extra-territorial invasion," the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Safavi as saying.

Safavi also called for foreign forces to leave the region. The U.S. 5th Fleet is based in Bahrain, from where it patrols the Gulf.

"Iran wants durable peace in the Persian Gulf and it can't be achieved without foreign forces and those which invaded
Iraq leaving (the region)," IRNA quoted Safavi as saying.

On Friday, the country tested the Fajr-3, a missile that it said can avoid radars and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads. Iran also has tested what it calls two new torpedoes.

The second torpedo, unveiled Monday, was tested in the Straits of Hormuz, the narrow entrance to the Gulf that is a vital corridor for oil supplies. That seemed to be a clear warning to the United States that Iran believes it has the capability to disable oil tankers moving through the Gulf.

The Revolutionary Guards, the elite branch of Iran's military, have been holding their maneuvers — code-named the "Great Prophet" — since Friday, touting what they call domestically built technological advances in their armed forces.

But some military analysts in Moscow said it appears the high-speed torpedoes likely were Russian-built weapons that may have been acquired from China or the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Others have questioned just how radar-evading the missiles are. Iran's radars are not as advanced as those of
Israel for example — meaning that perhaps the new weapons can avoid Iran's radar but not more advanced types.

The United States said Monday — after the second torpedo test — that while Iran may have made "some strides" in its military, it likely is exaggerating its capabilities.

"We know that the Iranians are always trying to improve their weapons system by both foreign and indigenous measures,"
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said in Washington. "It's possible that they are increasing their capability and making strides in radar-absorbing materials and technology."

But "the Iranians have also been known to boast and exaggerate their statements about greater technical and tactical capabilities," he said.

It has not been possible to verify Iran's claims for the new armaments. But the country has made clear it aims to send a message of strength to the United States amid heightened tensions over its nuclear program.
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Link

saturneptune · Apr 4, 2006

What the US should or should not do in Iran will probably become a mute point as long as we and UN sanctions take. I dont see how Israel can wait much longer.

Bro. Curtis · Apr 4, 2006

The infidels don't stand a chance.

SpiritualMadMan · Apr 4, 2006

Yes, Teheran can handle any invasion...

Who says we'd invade?

We don't *have* to invade to reduce them back to a New Testament technology level...

That is if Israel doen't beat us to the punch...

fromtheright · Apr 4, 2006

Originally posted by KenH:

I imagine that our military already has a defense for this in the works and will have it deployed by the time the Iranians make this operational, if it is not already deployed.
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It is absolutely foolish and naive to assume that the U.S. can counter this threat. A high-speed torpedo is a serious threat to American vessels. By assuming we have counter-measures available, though, Ken gets to keep his head stuck in the "Iran is not a threat" sand. American lives on ships in the Gulf is a high price to pay, though. I've gone through the Straits aboard ship with Iran's Chinese Silkworm missiles. If they come at you fast and close there's not much available in the way of counter-measures.

SpiritualMadMan · Apr 5, 2006

Beg Pardon...

But, I didn't see Ken as presenting his *hope* of a counter measure in that light, at all...

As I alluded to, even the best of countermeasures takes time to detect a threat as a valid threat and then respond...

A human crew could never respond quickly enough to counter this particular type of threat...

Depending upon range and readiness state it would be difficult for the best of our automated systems to do so either...

Enoch · Apr 5, 2006

Iran tests "top secret" missile

JPost

Iran said Wednesday it has successfully test-fired a "top secret" missile, the third within a week, state-run television reported.

The report called the missile an "ultra-horizon" weapon and said it could be fired from all military helicopters and jet fighters.

The tests come during war games being held by the elite Revolutionary Guards in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea since Friday at a time of increased tensions with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program.

On Tuesday Iran said it had tested a second new radar-avoiding missile, which is a surface-to-sea missile equipped with remote-control and searching systems, the state-run television reported Tuesday.

On Friday, the country tested the Fajr-3, a missile that it said can avoid radars and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads. Since the war games began Friday, the country also has tested what it calls two new torpedoes.

The Revolutionary Guards, the elite branch of Iran's military, have been holding their maneuvers - codenamed the "Great Prophet" - since Friday, touting what they call domestically built technological advances in their armed forces.
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