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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Iran Achieves Solid Fuel Technology

2005-07-27

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran said for the first time Wednesday it has fully developed solid-fuel technology in producing missiles, a major breakthrough that increases the accuracy of missiles hitting targets. Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani told The Associated Press that Iran has made an "important step forward" in developing the technology, which provides the Islamic Republic with the ability to fire solid-fuel ballistic missiles like the Shahab-3. The Shahab-3, with a range of 810 miles to more than 1,200 miles, is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching Israel and U.S. forces in the Middle East.

"We have fully achieved proficiency in solid-fuel technology in producing missiles," said Shamkhani in Iran's first declaration that it has locally developed full access to solid fuel missile technology.

So, who did they buy this technology from?

Such technology enables the production of solid fuel, which makes missiles more durable and dramatically increases their accuracy in reaching targets. Missiles using liquid fuel are short-lived. "It's an important step forward, an important achievement. It's a locally developed achievement," said Shamkhani.
Iran said last month it has successfully tested a solid-fuel motor for its medium-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile. The motor was one of two engines developed for the Shahab-3. The minister said no flight test of Shahab-3 missile has been carried out using solid fuel. However, he did say that Iran has used solid fuel with its Fateh-110 short-range missile sometime ago, but it was unclear if the fuel was made in Iran or came from outside.

They may have mixed it locally, but I'll wager the recipe came from outside. North Korea or Pakistan via Khan's network?

The Shahab-3 ballistic missile is known as a single-stage device and military experts said the development of a second motor demonstrates a significant improvement in Iran's missile program. The Fateh-110 is a solid propellant surface-to-surface guided missile with a reported range of about 105 miles and is classified among Iran's most efficient missiles.
Last November, Shamkhani said Iran was able to mass produce the Shahab-3 missile. The missile â whose name "Shahab" means "shooting star" in Farsi â was last tested successfully in 2002, and iran's elite Revolutionary Guards were equipped with it in July 2003. 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.

Posted by:Steve

#5 Got ya covered, boys. Come on out with yer hands up an' nobody gets hurt...

LGM-30G "Minuteman III"
("L"= silo launched, "G"= surface attack, "M"= missle)

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Intercontinental ballistic missile
Contractor: Boeing Co.
Power Plant: Three solid-propellant rocket motors; first stage - Thiokol; second stage - Aerojet-General; third stage - United Technologies Chemical Systems Division
Length: 59.9 feet (18 meters)
Weight: 79,432 pounds (32,158 kilograms)
Diameter: 5.5 feet (1.67 meters)
Range: 6,000-plus miles (5,218 nautical miles)
Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout
Ceiling: 700 miles (1,120 kilometers)
Thrust: First stage, 202,600 pounds
Load: Re-entry vehicle: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space MK 12 or MK 12A
3x MIRV with either 170kT or 340kT yield/warhead. Thermonuclear.
Guidance systems: Inertial system: Boeing North American; ground
Electronic/security system: Sylvania Electronics Systems and Boeing Co.
Unit cost: $7 million
Date deployed: June 1970, production cessation: December 1978
Inventory: Active force, 500; Reserve, 0; ANG, 0

Posted by: mojo 2005-07-27 15:30

#4 subs in the gulf have the GPS coords for each and every one of these beturbanned assholes?

Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-27 15:12

#3 It must have come from the NORKS, or from China through Pakistan or Pakistan directly.

Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani told The Associated Press that Iran has made an "important step forward" in developing the technology, which provides the Islamic Republic with the ability to fire solid-fuel ballistic missiles like the Shahab-3.

Important step forward, all right. He is signing the death warrant for many of his people. When one makes threats to obliterate their neighbors with nuclear weapons, they are taken seriously by the neighbors, PC and PR be damned. This is simple intimidation and bullying, an Iranian MM MO. Only this time, he may have a big stick.

The Iranian MMs are fools, esp with US military assets nearby. If threatened we will not be PC and try to minimize collateral damage. Responses have to be hot and swift. The distances are too short.

Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-07-27 15:11

#2 When is the liberation of Iran going to happen?

Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) 2005-07-27 14:50

#1 The formulae for solid fuels are not really that difficult. It's the actual production that gets a bit dicey. When in High School a couple of other goofballs and I made solid fuel rockets. The fuel was a mixture of potassium nitrate and powdered sugar. It worked very well for small rockets and had the added advantage of not being prone to exploding while we were making it. Solid fuel for the shuttle rockets is a whole 'nother matter. The mixing stage is rather volatile but once made it is fairly stable. Once it is ignited, though, it can't be shut down.

Posted by: Deacon Blues 2005-07-27 14:31

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