Qaem Explained

The Qaem (or Ghaem;)^[1] refers to two completely distinct Iranian weapons: an air-to-ground glide bomb and a surface-to-air missile. These two weapons are similarly sized and identically named, and are both developed from the Toophan missile, but are separate weapon systems.

Qaem surface-to-air missile

This is an Iranian SACLOS beam-riding SHORAD surface-to-air missile.^{[2] [3]} With a range of six kilometers and a maximum altitude of two kilometers, the Qaem is intended for use against UAVs and low flying or stationary helicopters. The Qaem is a development of the Toophan missile, itself an unlicensed copy of the American BGM-71 TOW missile, and entered mass production in 2010.^{[4] [5]}

The Qaem anti-aircraft missile uses a laser guidance system.^[6] Iran also produces a variant, the Qaem-M, which adds a proximity fuse.^[7]

• Ghaem-114 toophan missile comparable of AGM-114

North Korea may operate Qaem-114.^[8]

Qaem air-to-ground bomb

A completely unrelated Iranian munition, but also named "Qaem," is carried by Qods Mohajer-6 UAVs^[9] and Hamaseh UAVs.^[10]

The Qaem is available in four variants: the Qaem 1, with a suspected infrared seeker; a variant simply named Qaem, with suspected laser guidance;^[9] a larger variant named Qaem-5, with TV guidance; and an even larger variant named Qaem-9, also with TV guidance.^[10]

The Qaem A2G glide bomb is related to the Sadid-345 glide bomb, but has different wings and size.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rahnama Turkish-English-Persian Dictionary. A. A.. Rastrow. December 21, 2002. Alhoda UK. Google Books.
2. Web site: Iranian TOW Missile Knockoffs Spread to War Zones. ADAM RAWNSLEY. June 18, 2016.
3. Web site: How Iran's Revived Weapons Exports Could Boost Its Proxies. www.washingtoninstitute.org. Farzin Nadimi . August 17, 2015 .
4. Book: mashreghnews. qaem missile, the Iranian solution to the problem of the US . 15 January 2012 .
5. Web site: "Storm" in sky and earth. farsnewsws.
6. News: Iran says starts production of two new missiles. 2010-02-06. The Independent. 2016-10-25.
7. Web site: Иранская экспозиция на МАКС-2017. Часть.1. Yuri. Lyamin. ru. 20 July 2017.
8. DefenseIran . 1685045829751431168 . تسلیحات آشنا در زیر بالهای پهپاد جدید کره شمالی .
9. News: Iran's Mohajer 6 armed UAV goes into production . Jeremy . Binnie . February 7, 2018 . . Video footage was also released showing a Mohajer 6 using a Qaem 1 to accurately hit a target that was floating in the sea, apparently in the Indian Ocean off Konarak..
10. Iran holds unveiling event for precision-guided bombs. Jane's Defence Weekly . Jeremy Binnie. August 8, 2019. London.
11. Web site: Key difference is the size, wings and its guidance system.. Babak. Taghvaee. February 6, 2018.