Burkan-1
{{Short description|Iranian/Yemeni tactical short-range ballistic missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile= yes
|name= Burkan 1
|image=
|type= Tactical SRBM
|used_by= Houthis in Yemen Hezbollah in Lebanon
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|engine_power=
|weight= {{convert|16,000|lbs|kg|order=flip}}{{cite web |title= Missile Force Launches New Missile on Saudi Territory |publisher=
Almotamar.net |date= September 2, 2016 |url= https://www.almotamar.net/en/9881.htm |access-date= November 11, 2017}}
|length= {{convert|12.5|m|ft}}
|diameter= {{convert|0.88|m|ft}}
|wingspan=
|speed=
|vehicle_range= {{convert|800|km|mi}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling= {{convert|500|kg|lbs}} conventional high-explosive
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|launch_platform=
}}
The Burkan-1 (Arabic 1 بركان) or Volcano-1{{cite web |first= Jeffrey |last= Lewis |title= Yemen's Burkan-1 Missile |publisher= Arms Control Wonk |date= October 27, 2016 |url= http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1202119/yemens-burkan-1-missile/ |access-date= November 11, 2017}} (also spelled as Burqan 1{{cite web |title= Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile over capital |first1= T |last1= Lister |first2= A |last2= Albadran |first3= H |last3= Al-Masmari |first4= SE |last4= Sirgany |first5= E |last5= Levenson |publisher= CNN |date= November 4, 2017 |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/04/middleeast/saudi-arabia-ballistic-missile/index.html |access-date= November 6, 2017}}) is a mobile short-range ballistic missile used by the Houthis in Yemen. It is related to the Scud missile family.{{cite web |title= US Air Force official: Missile targeting Saudis was Iranian |first= Jon |last= Gambrell |publisher= AP |date= November 10, 2017 |url= https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-air-force-official-missile-targeting-saudis-iranian-51060670 |access-date= November 10, 2017}}
Development
Houthi forces unveiled the Burkan-1 when it was fired on 2 September 2016. According to Saudi Arabia, the missile and related Volcano H-2 are of Iranian origin, with USAF Lt. General Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Commander, Air Force's Central Command in Qatar, agreeing.{{cite web |title= Saudis accuse Iran of 'direct aggression' over Yemen missile |publisher= BBC |date= November 7, 2017 |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41899643 |access-date= November 10, 2017}}
Design
The Burkan-1 is a member of the Scud family. Analysts identify it as being based on either the Scud-B{{cite web |first= Norbert |last= Brügge |title= The Soviet "Scud" Missile Family |url= http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Specials/Scud/index.htm#Yemeni%20Burkan-1 |date= November 10, 2017 |access-date= November 10, 2017}} or Scud-D missile. Its range is greater than the Soviet-made Scuds Yemen possessed as of 2015, suggesting that the missile is not of Yemeni origin.{{cite web |title= Incremental improvements in Houthi militants' ballistic missile campaign increase risk to assets in central Saudi Arabia |first= Ludovico |last= Carlino |publisher= Jane's IHS |date= July 26, 2017 |url= http://www.janes.com/article/72626/incremental-improvements-in-houthi-militants-ballistic-missile-campaign-increase-risk-to-assets-in-central-saudi-arabia |access-date= November 11, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171110001911/http://www.janes.com/article/72626/incremental-improvements-in-houthi-militants-ballistic-missile-campaign-increase-risk-to-assets-in-central-saudi-arabia |archive-date= November 10, 2017 |url-status= dead }} Elements of the missile's design, including the inertial guidance system, fins, and control surfaces, are identical to those of the Qiam 1, leading several analysts and the U.S. State Department to believe that the missile is an Iranian-made Qiam 1.{{cite web |title=Press Release: Ambassador Haley on Weapons of Iranian Origin Used in Attack on Saudi Arabia |date=7 November 2017 |publisher=United States Mission to the United Nations |url=https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8090 |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411124443/https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8090 |url-status=dead }} The Burkan-1 carries a warhead weighing more than {{convert|500|kg|lbs|order=flip}}.
Operational history
The Burkan-1 was first fired on 2 September 2016, aimed at King Fahad Air Base in Taif, with Houthi sources claiming a successful hit but Saudi Arabia claiming there was no damage.{{cite news |title= Missiles fired from rebel-held Yemen land near US destroyer |publisher= Chicago Tribune |date= October 10, 2016 |access-date= November 11, 2017 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-missiles-fired-at-navy-destroyer-20161009-story.html}} On 27 October 2016, another missile was fired, but destroyed in mid-air by a Saudi Patriot missile before reaching its target. According to the Saudi-led coalition the target was Mecca, but according to the Houthis the target was King Abdulaziz International Airport, near Jeddah.{{cite web |title= Yemen's Houthis launch missile toward Saudi holy city, coalition says |publisher= Reuters |date= October 27, 2016 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-missiles/yemens-houthis-launch-missile-toward-saudi-holy-city-coalition-says-idUSKCN12S016 |access-date= November 11, 2017}} On 28 July 2017, another missile was fired on a similar trajectory and intercepted in mid-air, leading to Saudi Arabia again claiming the target was Mecca and the Houthis claiming the target was King Fahad Air Base.{{cite web |title= Saudi coalition downs Yemeni rebel missile near Mecca |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20170728-saudi-arabia-coalition-downs-missile-fired-yemen-mecca |publisher=France24 |date=July 31, 2017 |access-date= November 11, 2017}}
See also
=Related articles=
=Comparable missiles=
- {{lwc|Ghaznavi (missile)|Ghaznavi}}
- {{lwc|Abdali-I}}
- {{lwc|Shaheen-I}}
- {{lwc|J-600T Yıldırım}}
- {{lwc|SOM (missile)|SOM}}
- {{lwc|Bora (missile)|Bora}}
- {{lwc|Fateh-313}}
- {{lwc|Qiam 1}}
- {{lwc|Al-Husayn (missile)|Al-Husayn}}
- {{lwc|Nasr (missile)|Nasr}}
- {{lwc|Zelzal}}
- {{lwc|Tondar-69}}