Shahab-3

{{Infobox weapon

| is_missile = yes

| name = Shahab-3

| image = Great_Prophet_II_(30).jpg

| image_size =

| type = Strategic MRBM

| vehicle_range = {{convert|1000|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/shahab-3/|title=Shahab-3|website=Missile Threat}}-{{convert|2000|km|mi|abbr=on}}

[https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 Ballistic and cruise missile threat] nasic.af.mil (Shahab-3 ER){{cite web|url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-26.htm|title = The Global Range of Iran's Ballistic Missile Program - Uzi Rubin}}

| filling = One ({{convert|1200|kg|lb|abbr=on|disp=or}}) at 1,000-2,000 km– five cluster munition warheads in new models ({{convert|280|kg|lb|abbr=on|disp=or}} each), each warhead can target different destinations.

| launch_platform = Vehicle

| variants = A,B,C,D

| yield =

| engine = Liquid propellant rocket[https://fas.org/nuke/guide/iran/missile/shahab-3.htm Shahab-3/ Zelzal-3] fas.org

| guidance = inertial navigation system

| accuracy = 2,500 m Circular error probable

| altitude = 400 km{{cite web|last=Toukan|first=Abdullah|title=GCC – Iran: Operational Analysis of Air, SAM and TBM Forces|url=http://csis.org/files/publication/090819_GCC_Iran_AirPower.pdf|publisher=Center for Strategic & International Studies|access-date=27 February 2014|author2=Anthony H. Cordesman }}

| speed = 2.4 km/s at altitude of 10–30 km in final stage which is about Mach 7{{cite journal|last=Wright|first=David C.|author2=Timur Kadyshev |title=An Analysis of the North Korean Nadong Missile|journal=Science & Global Security|date=1994|volume=4|issue=2|pages=129–160|url=http://scienceandglobalsecurity.org/archive/sgs04wright.pdf|access-date=27 February 2014|publisher=Gordon and Breach Science Publishers S.A.|doi=10.1080/08929889408426397|bibcode=1994S&GS....4..129W}}

| length =

| diameter = {{convert|1.2|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight =

| payload_capacity =

| manufacturer = {{IRN}}

| unit_cost =

| service = 2003–present

| used_by = {{IRN}}

}}

The Shahab-3 ({{langx|fa|شهاب ۳|Šahâb 3}}; meaning "Meteor-3") is a family of liquid-fueled ballistic missiles developed by Iran, under the IRGC, and based upon the North Korean Nodong-1/A and Nodong-B missiles.{{cite book|author=U.S. Department of Defense |title=Proliferation: Threat and Response |year=2001 |url=https://fas.org/irp/threat/prolif00.pdf|publisher=DIANE Publishing |page=38 |isbn=1-4289-8085-7}}[http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets/Specials/Nodong/index.htm The North-Korean/Iranian Nodong-Shahab missile family] b14643.de The Shahab-3 family has a range of 1,000-{{convert|2,000|km|mi}}. It was tested from 1998 to 2003 and added to the military arsenal on 7 July 2003, with an official unveiling by Ayatollah Khamenei on July 20. It has an estimated accuracy of about 2,500m CEP. According to the IAEA, Iran in the early 2000s may have explored various fuzing, arming and firing systems to make the Shahab-3 more capable of reliably delivering a nuclear warhead.

The forerunners to this missile include the Shahab-1 and Shahab-2. Iran's Defense Ministry has alternately denied plans to develop a Shahab-4 and admitted that a Shahab-4 program is in development, having claimed it both to be a MRBM and an SLV.{{Cite web |date=2013-02-03 |title=Federation of American Scientists :: Shahab-3 / Zelzal-3 |url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/militarysumfolder/shahab-3.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203051541/http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/militarysumfolder/shahab-3.html |archive-date=2013-02-03 }} Some successors to the Shahab have longer range and are more maneuverable.{{cite web|title=Iranian President Defies West At Military Parade |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1078757.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|access-date=27 February 2014|date=22 September 2007}}{{cite web|title=Iran Shows Home-Made Warfare Equipment at Military Parade|url=http://english2.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8606310435|publisher=Fars News Agency|access-date=27 February 2014|date=22 September 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140227200729/http://english2.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8606310435|archive-date=2014-02-27|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Ghadr-1|url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/emad/|publisher=Missile Threat|access-date=27 February 2014}}

Operating under the Sanam Industrial Group (Department 140), which is part of the Defense Industries Organization of Iran, the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), led the development of the Shahab missile.{{cite news|work=The Washington Times |author=Gertz, William |date=1997-05-22 |title=Russia disregards pledge to curb Iranian missile output; Tehran, Moscow sign pacts for additional support}}

In 2019, the US Defense Intelligence Agency described the Shahab 3 as "the mainstay of Iran’s MRBM force".[https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Images/News/Military_Powers_Publications/Iran_Military_Power_LR.pdf Iran Military Power] dia.mil In June 2017, the US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimated that fewer than 50 launchers were operationally deployed.{{cite report |page=25 |url=https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |id=NASIC-1031-0985-17 |publisher=Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee |date=June 2017 |access-date=16 July 2017}}

Shahab-3 missiles are considered obsolete and are being progressively changed for their more recent upgrades of Shahab family missiles, such as the Ghadr-110H and Emad missile. The US government says that the Shahab-3 is "generally" less accurate than the Fateh-110.

Shahab-3A

The range of the Shahab-3A is about {{Convert|1300|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |date=December 2011 |title=Worldwide Equipment Guide – Volume 2: Airspace and Air Defense Systems |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1117055.pdf |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |pages=5–8 |via=Defense Technical Information Center}} or {{Convert|1500|km|mi}}. According to the New York Times, the Shahab-3A was no longer in production as of 2008.{{cite web |date=12 July 2008 |title=Experts Point to Deceptions in Iran's Military Display |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/world/middleeast/12iran.html |accessdate=2022-06-14 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

Shahab-3B

File:Shahab-3 Range.jpg

The Shahab-3B differs from the basic production variant. It has improvements to its guidance system and a warhead with a greater range, a few small changes on the missile body, and a new re-entry vehicle whose terminal guidance system and rocket-nozzle steering method are completely different from the Shahab-3A's spin-stabilized re-entry vehicle.{{Cite web |title=ODIN - OE Data Integration Network |url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Shahab-3B%20Iranian%20Surface%20to%20Surface%20Medium%20Range%20Ballistic%20Missile |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=odin.tradoc.army.mil}}

The new re-entry vehicle uses a triconic aeroshell geometry, or "baby bottle" design, which improves the overall lift to drag ratio for the re-entry vehicle. This allows greater range maneuverability, which can result in better precision. The triconic design reduces the overall mass of the warhead from an estimated {{convert|1|metric ton|lb}} to {{convert|700|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.

Shahab-3C and D

Little is known about the Shahab-3C and Shahab-3D. From what can be gathered, the missiles have an improved precision, navigation system, and a longer range. The missiles were indigenously developed, and are being mass-produced. In 2008, Iran had a production capacity of 70 units per year.{{cite news|title=Report: Iran manufacturing improved missile|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3636744,00.html|work=Ynetnews|publisher=Yedioth Ahronoth|access-date=27 February 2014|date=11 December 2008}}

Galleries

File:shahab_3_engine.jpg|A Shahab 3 engine

File:Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day, 2010 (10).jpg|With a truck-mounted launcher, on a Military Day Parade, 2010

File:Shahab-3.svg|Artist's conception

File:Shahab_3_MRBM.png|Artist's conception

File:Shahab 3 MRBM.jpg|Artist's conception

History, development and tests

File:Great Prophet II (84).jpg

During the early 1990s Iran began to shift from the acquirement of ballistic missiles to their production through a well documented technological partnership with North Korea,{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International, ABC CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |pages=110}} despite its denial by Iranian foreign ministry official Hassan Taherian, in February 1995.{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International ; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=107}}{{Cite journal |date=March 4, 1995 |title=Flashpoints: Iran |journal=Jane's Defense Weekly |pages=18}} The main reason for this transition was to minimalise the effects of sanctions and interdictions posed by the USA, as well as military embargoes and international actions against Iran.{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International, ABC CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |pages=109}} According to Seitz and Cordesman, another possible reason was the fact that more capable long-range missiles are necessary for deploying heavy nuclear weapons, and would allow Iran to threaten targets outside the region, intimidate the US and prevent them from taking military action against Iran.

Based on the designs of the North Korean No-Dong medium range ballistic missile, which some analysts suggest was developed with Iranian financial support, Iran manufactured the Shahab-3. And while Iran claimed that its purpose was to deliver conventional payloads, it is more likely that it was meant to carry biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

= Timeline =

In October 1997 Russia commenced training Iranian engineers in missile production, for the Shahab-3 missile system.

Iran has conducted at least six test flights of the Shahab-3. During the first one, in July 1998, the missile reportedly exploded in mid-air during the latter portion of its flight. U.S. officials wondered whether the test was a failure or the explosion was intentional. A second, successful test, using a North Korean engine, took place in July 2000.

In September 2000, Iran conducted a third test, in which the missile reportedly exploded shortly after launch.

In May 2002, Iran conducted another successful test, leading then-Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani to say the test improved the Shahab-3's "power and accuracy".

Another successful test reportedly occurred in July 2002.

On 7 July 2003, the foreign ministry spokesman said that Iran had completed a final test of the Shahab 3 "a few weeks ago", that was "the final test before delivering the missile to the armed forces", according to a New York Times report.{{cite news|work=New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E6DF153DF93BA35754C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon= |title=Iran confirms test of missile that is able to hit Israel |access-date=2008-07-09 |date=2003-07-08}} Additionally, allegations regarding Chinese assistance in resolving the missile's final technical issues began to emerge. Shahab-3 missiles were displayed openly in military parades, production was said to have begun at a rate of several per month and they were introduced into service.

In September 2003 Shahab-3 missiles were displayed on mobile launchers in a military parade and were claimed to have a range of 1000 km.

On 11 August 2004, the design of the Shahab-3 missile was modified (often referred to as Shahab-3M). The "Cone-shaped" warhead was replaced with a smaller "Bottleneck" warhead, the latter having a slower reentry and being advantageous when carrying chemical and biological agents, as well as being more suitable for carrying a nuclear payload. Another variant may include a larger fin, an airframe shorter by 1 m and a range of less than 1500 km.

On 19 September 2004, a subsequent test was conducted, followed by a parade on September 21, 2004, during which missiles were covered in banners proclaiming "We will crush America under our feet."

In November 2004, Shamkhani said Iran could mass-produce the missile.{{cite news|publisher=Janes Defence Weekly |title=Iran begins serial production of Shahab-3 |url=http://www.janes.com/extract/jmr2001/jmr00472.html |access-date=2008-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804152108/http://www.janes.com/extract/jmr2001/jmr00472.html |archive-date=August 4, 2008}}

On 31 May 2005, Shamkhani declared that a new missile motor, using solid fuel technology and capable of carrying a payload of 700 kg over a distance of 1500–2000 km was successfully tested.{{Cite book |last1=Cordesman |first1=Anthony H. |title=Iranian weapons of mass destruction: the birth of a regional nuclear arms race? |last2=Seitz |first2=Adam C. |date=2009 |publisher=Praeger Security International ; Published in cooperation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies |isbn=978-0-313-38088-4 |location=Santa Barbara : Washington, DC |pages=111}}

In September 2005 two new variants of the Shahab-3, with three metre long triconic ("Baby-bottle") nose-cones, were tested and displayed publicly. Experts are in disagreement with regard to their intended purpose. Some are of the opinion that they are to carry a warhead of the air-burst type, geared toward the dispersal of chemical and biological agents, while others believe it is better suited for a nuclear payload.

On 16 February 2006 it was reported that Iran had successfully test-launched four missiles, one of which was the Shahab-3 with a range of 1300 km and another was the Shahab-4 with a range of 2200 km.

On 7 April 2006 The London Telegraph reported that Iran had modified the nose cone of the Shahab-3 to carry a nuclear warhead such as that manufactured by Pakistan - the designs of which Iran is rumoured to possess.{{Cite news |last=Coughlin |first=Con |date=7 April 2006 |title=Iran Has Missiles to Carry Nuclear Warheads |work=The London Telegraph}}

On 2 November 2006, Iran fired unarmed missiles to begin 10 days of military war games. Iranian state television reported "dozens of missiles were fired including Shahab-2 and Shahab-3 missiles. The missiles had ranges from {{convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}} to up to {{convert|2000|km|mi|abbr=on}}...Iranian experts have made some changes to Shahab-3 missiles installing cluster warheads in them with the capacity to carry 1,400 bombs". These launches came after some United States-led military exercises in the Persian Gulf on 30 October 2006, meant to train for blocking the transport of weapons of mass destruction.{{cite news|title=Iran fires unarmed missiles|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html|agency=Reuters|publisher=CNN|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102164032/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/02/iran.manoeuvres.reut/index.html|archive-date=2 November 2006|date=2 November 2006}}

=2008 Great Prophet III test=

File:Great Prophet IV (16).jpg

On 8 July 2008,{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/09/africa/09iran-cnd.php|title=Iran tests missiles amid tension over nuclear program|last=Cowell|first=Alan|author-link=Alan Cowell|date=2008-07-09|work=International Herald Tribune|access-date=2008-07-10}} Iran test fired a non-upgraded version of the Shahab-3, as one of 9 medium- and long-range missiles launched as part of the Great Prophet III exercise.

Other missiles fired include the surface-to-surface Fateh-110 and Zelzal missiles.{{cite news|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1092.html|title=Iran test-fires upgraded Shahab-3 missile|publisher=Payvand|access-date=2008-07-09|date=2008-07-09}} Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air and naval units conducted these tests in a desert location.{{cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/iran-test-fires-shahab-3-long-range-missile_10069433.html|title=Iran test-fires Shahab-3 long-range missile|date=2008-07-09|agency=RIA Novosti|publisher=Thaindian News|access-date=2008-07-09}} Air Force commander Hossein Salami said that "Iran was ready to retaliate to military threats... we warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch".{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Scott|title=Confrontation escalates between Iran and Israel|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2008/0710/p01s13-wome.html|access-date=27 February 2014|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=10 July 2008}}

On 9 July 2008, Iran allegedly tested a version of the Shahab-3 in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to shut down traffic into if it is attacked. Arms control analyst Jeffrey Lewis analyzed Iranian launch footage and concluded that Iranian claims of testing an upgraded Shahab missile were unfounded.{{cite news|last=Hess|first=Pamela|title=Official: Iran missile tests used 'old equipment'|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0|publisher=The AP|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715041722/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ik14cCceJS05D5D5LtCvk7HqoY3QD91S0T3O0|archive-date=15 July 2008|date=12 July 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} A senior Republican Guard commander said Iran would maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz and the French news agency Agence France-Presse, which published pictures from the missile test, "Iran had apparently doctored photographs of missile test-firings and exaggerated the capabilities of the weapons", and an additional missile was added afterwards to cover up a failed launch.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1000992.html|title=Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch?|work=Haaretz|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2008-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724100930/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1000992.html|archive-date=24 July 2008|date=11 July 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Operators

=Current operators=

{{Flag|Iran}}
Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

References

External links

{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20041019125428/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_396.shtml Shahab-3: an Advanced IRBM]}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20030904142745/http://astronautix.com/lvs/shahab3.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081007021500/http://www.sarbaz.org/000english/WMD/wmd.html Iranian Missiles, from Sarbaz.org, website of former Iranian Imperial Army loyalists]
[http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/shahab-3/ Missile Threat CSIS - Shahab 3]
[http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/emad/ Missile Threat CSIS - Shahab 3 Variants (Emad, Ghadr)]
[https://www.militaryperiscope.com/weapons/missrock/landatk/w0005522.html Shahab-3 MRBM from Military Periscope]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (login required)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060528122335/http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=150 Russia and the Development of the Iranian Missile Program]
{{in lang|cs}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060908052556/http://www.ruleta.nazory.cz/great_prophet.php Írán - Námořní cvičení]—visual comparison of Shahab-3B and Fajr-3
[http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/jdw/jdw060908_1_n.shtml Janes Defence Weekly Volume 43 and Issue 37 Iran's ballistic missile developments - long-range ambitions]