Ra'ad (anti-ship missile) explained

Is Missile:yes
Ra'ad
Type:Anti-ship cruise missile
Origin:Iran
Manufacturer:Iran Aviation Industries Organization
Service:2007-Present
Used By:Iran
Altitude:Sea-skimming
Vehicle Range:360 km
Length:7.36 metres
Diameter:0.76 metres
Weight:3000 kg
Launch Platform:Mobile Ground and Sea Launch-able
Filling Weight:450-550 kg
Propellant:Turbo-jet engine
Engine:Solid-propellant booster

Ra'ad (Persian: رعد|lit=lightning) is an Iranian designed and built subsonic anti-ship cruise missile.[1] The missile is a reverse engineered and upgraded variant of China's Silkworm anti-ship missile.[2] The missile was developed by the state-run Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO).[3] Iran reportedly began full production of the Ra’ad in January 2004 and went into service in 2007. The missile is equipped for ground and ship-launched platforms.[4]

Development

See also: Silkworm (missile) and Iran–Iraq War. During the Iran-Iraq War, China supplied Iran with numerous types of missile which included two variants of the Silkworm anti-ship missile, the HY-2 and HY-4. Prior to the post-war period, Iran's military was heavily dependent on foreign weaponry supplied mainly by the United Kingdom and the United States of America.[5] In order to achieve independence and reduce foreign expenditure in the arms sphere, Iran engaged in a campaign of reverse engineering and producing any weaponry it possessed. The Ra'ad was one of the weapons which Iran reverse engineered.

The Silkworm variant which the Ra'ad is based on exactly is unknown and disputed. However, some sources state that it is based on the HY-2 and others stating that it is based on the HY-4.

It is unknown when the development stage began but it is known that the full production of the missile began in January 2004.

The Ra’ad was successfully test fired on 7 February 2007.[6] This was confirmed by then Deputy Air Force Commander Ali Fadavi who said: “We have successfully test fired a cruise missile called SSN4, or Raad, hitting targets 300 kilometres away in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean.”

Features

See also: Solid-propellant rocket, Inertial navigation system and Terminal guidance. The Ra'ad is an anti-ship cruise missile that is capable of being launched from both surface and sea platforms. The engine of the Ra'ad utilizes a solid-propellant booster with a turbojet engine and employs an inertial navigation system and terminal guidance, the exact type of terminal guidance is unknown but IHS Jane's Weapons states that it is "likely infared imaging or an active radar system."[7] The missile also has sea-skimming capabilities, with the ability to fly at low-altitudes to evade radar detection and missile defences.[8]

Operators

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ra'ad. August 9, 2016. Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies. 30 May 2019.
  2. PLA Cruise Missiles, PLA Air – Surface Missiles. Kopp. Carlo. Andrew. Martin. April 2012. Air Power Australia. 1 . 30 May 2019.
  3. Web site: Iran Missile Milestones: 1985-2016. 13 July 2016. Iran Watch. 30 May 2019.
  4. “Ra’ad Cruise Missile,” in IHS Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons, 2012-2013, ed. Robert Hewson (United Kingdom: IHS, April 2012)
  5. Karsh, Efraim (25 April 2002). The Iran–Iraq War: 1980–1988. Osprey Publishing. pp. 1–8, 12–16, 19–82.
  6. Web site: Iranian Missile Launches: 1988-Present. 17 August 2017. CSIS Missile Threat. 31 May 2019.
  7. “Raad (HY-1/-2 ‘Silkworm’ variant/Pirouzi 75),” in IHS Jane’s Weapons: Strategic 2015-2016, ed. Jane’s C O’Halloran (United Kingdom: IHS, 2016), 154-155
  8. Web site: Iran successfully test fires land-to-sea missile. 8 February 2007. DNA India. 31 May 2019.
  9. Web site: Country Profile: Iran. July 2017. Nuclear Threat Initiative. 31 May 2019.