Iran on 08MAR15 publicly unveiled the Soumar land-attack cruise missile (LACM). The Iranian LACM appears very similar in configuration to the Soviet-era Raduga OKB Kh-55 air-launched cruise missile (NATO: AS-15 'Kent'), it also appears to feature a booster arrangement similar to the Soviet-era Novator RK-55 Granat land-based cruise missile (NATO: SSC-X-4 'Slingshot’). It's also possible the Soumar represents a further development of the Iranian Meshkat (“Lantern”) medium-range cruise missile program.
Soumar LACM bears the emblem of Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).
Iran has been known to have obtained from a Ukraine source up to twelve examples of the Soviet-era Kh-55 back in 2001, some fourteen years ago. Thus the timing of Iran's public unveiling of the Soumar LACM is of interest, in terms of posturing before the upcoming nuclear negotiations deadline with the P5+1, as well as possibly attempting to influence the upcoming Israeli election.
The name of this Iranian LACM is also significant; apparently a reference to the town of Soumar in Iran, where virtually the entire population was killed by WMD attack and the city destroyed during the Iran-Iraq War. The town was never rebuilt, serving as a memorial similar to that of Oradour-sur-Glane, France. [see HERE]
Presumed payload of the Soumar type LACM is approximated to be 200 kilograms, with range estimates of 2000 to 3000 kilometers. Such a range would provide Iran with another lever of second-strike capability (in addition to ballistic missiles), enhancing its defense based on deterrence.
Presumed further development would include air and ship-launched variants, increasing the potential reach of this cruise missile type.
Five examples of Soumar LACM, displayed by Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)
Detail of the Soumar LACM booster, similar in arrangement to the Soviet-era RK-55
Soumar LACM drop-down turbofan engine, similar in arrangement to the Soviet-era Kh-55
Video still of Soumar LACM test launch from mobile TEL
Video still of Soumar LACM launch, exiting box launcher
Video still of Soumar LACM, in flight
Graphic depicting possible targeting range of Soumar LACM
Iranian media was also provided this imagery in publicizing MODAFL's claim of mass production and delivery to IRGC-ASF of Qadr and Qiam type ballistic missiles. As in the case of Soumar LACM, the timing of this publicity is likely linked to the issue of Iran's position that its deterrent force of missile not be included in negotiations over its nuclear power program.
VIDEO:
Photos: Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency and Press TV
12 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Iran most probably already possesses the air launch version of this missile as tests were carried out on F-4 Phantom and Su-24 for long-range cruise missile tests. Iran also lost a couple of F-4s for this purpose. Most probably the Iranian Su-24 and some modified F-4s will be able to launch this cruise missile which will put many strategic military sites in the region under Iranian missile range, including Diego Garcia.
The fins and turbojet are retracted in to the airframe while the missile in is the launch tube. When it is fired the solid rocket stage launches the missile clear of the tube and the fins and turbojet are extended, the rocket is then jettisoned.
Missiles like these are normally mid subsonic (mach .5-.75) and fly at a low altitude cruise followed by a very low altitude attack run.
Excuse us. This is not a 'generation old' weapon. A 3000 mile range flting nape of the earth profile delivering a warhead with a CEP of a few meters is not generation old. Do some research before babbling nonsense, the Raduga Kh-55 is a front line weapon in Russia. this thing is a direct copy of it..........stupid man.
AnonymousMarch 11, 2015 at 10:22 AM Yeah thats exactly what the british thought at a little place called Isandlwana,and guess what happened the british with their state of the art guns got literally slaughtered by zulus armed with spears http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isandlwana Actually to call a late cold war cruise missile "generation-old weaponry" is pretty laughable not to mention ignorant especially considering that the us still uses the same vintage tomahawk cruise missile and doesnt consider it to be "generation-old weaponry",and as for saddam you might not be old enough to remember desert storm but it was us tomahawks that inflicted a great deal of the damage that he suffered at the hands of the coalition,in addition the russians. chinese,indians,pakistanis,french and british are all fielding various types of cruise missiles ranging from short ranged air launched to long ranged sub,ship and land launched so they certainly dont see these weapons as "generation-old weaponry".The simple truth is that this is a powerful force multiplier for irans already formidable existing arsenal and it was no small achievement on irans part to acquire,reverse engineer and begin indigenous mass production of this weapon
12 comments:
Iran most probably already possesses the air launch version of this missile as tests were carried out on F-4 Phantom and Su-24 for long-range cruise missile tests. Iran also lost a couple of F-4s for this purpose. Most probably the Iranian Su-24 and some modified F-4s will be able to launch this cruise missile which will put many strategic military sites in the region under Iranian missile range, including Diego Garcia.
I am wondering if the fins are retractable and if the missile is supersonic and how high from the earth it can fly.
The fins and turbojet are retracted in to the airframe while the missile in is the launch tube. When it is fired the solid rocket stage launches the missile clear of the tube and the fins and turbojet are extended, the rocket is then jettisoned.
Missiles like these are normally mid subsonic (mach .5-.75) and fly at a low altitude cruise followed by a very low altitude attack run.
The Iranians should fire these missiles at ISIL targets in Iraq .
Iran has short and medium range ballistic missiles suitable for that task.
Indeed. I've always wondered why Iran doesn't use its ballistic missiles, especially the accurate ones like Fateh-110, against ISIS.
Do they see it as uneconomical and unnecessary?
@Piruz , I think that is exactly the reason, beside it might cause collateral damage which the blame would find its way to Iran.
again, the newest in generation-old weaponry...... very useful should Saddam again attack Iran.
not going to be very useful against NATO militaries
Thats exactly the type of smug superiority complex attitude that has preceded most devastating
defeats in history!
No it is a statement of fact. Your sword can NOT defeat my gun. Why is that "superiority complex attitude"?
Excuse us. This is not a 'generation old' weapon. A 3000 mile range flting nape of the earth profile delivering a warhead with a CEP of a few meters is not generation old. Do some research before babbling nonsense, the Raduga Kh-55 is a front line weapon in Russia. this thing is a direct copy of it..........stupid man.
AnonymousMarch 11, 2015 at 10:22 AM
Yeah thats exactly what the british thought at a little place called Isandlwana,and guess what happened the british with their state of the art guns got literally slaughtered by zulus armed with spears
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isandlwana
Actually to call a late cold war cruise missile "generation-old weaponry" is pretty laughable not to mention ignorant especially considering that the us still uses the same vintage tomahawk cruise missile and doesnt consider it to be "generation-old weaponry",and as for saddam you might not be old enough to remember desert storm but it was us tomahawks that inflicted a great deal of the damage that he suffered at the hands of the coalition,in addition the russians. chinese,indians,pakistanis,french and british are all fielding various types of cruise missiles ranging from short ranged air launched to long ranged sub,ship and land launched so they certainly dont see these weapons as "generation-old weaponry".The simple truth is that this is a powerful force multiplier for irans already formidable existing arsenal and it was no small achievement on irans part to acquire,reverse engineer and begin indigenous mass production of this weapon
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