Zelzal-3

File:Zelzal 3 rockets before firing.jpg

File:Zelzal 3 2012.jpg

Zelzal series rockets, along with Naze'at series rockets, are Iranian rockets that were designed and built during the Iran-Iraq war. According to Iranian sources, later on, Fateh-110 generation missiles were designed and built from the Zelzal system.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/1319398/%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%BE%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%DA%A9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%87%DA%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87|title=وزلزال ایرانی؛ «اولین راکت توپخانه‌ای جهان با کلاهک جداشونده»/ هدیه ویژه به محور مقاومت برای عبور آسان از گنبد آهنین + عکس و فیلم|access-date=18 August 2024|website=mashreghnews.ir|date=29 December 2021 }} Also, this system has been used to build some space probe rockets in Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/202187/%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86|access-date=11 August 2024|title=آشنایی با انواع راکت‌های زلزال - ایران|website=hamshahrionline.ir|date=20 February 2013 }}

Zelzal 3 has a length of 9.6 meters and a diameter of 616 mm. The weight of this missile is 3870 kg, of which 900 kg is the warhead and 1980 kg is the fuel. The error rate of this missile has been reported below 5%. This rocket has the power to have a maximum range of 200 kilometers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/202187/%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86|title=آشنایی با انواع راکت‌های زلزال - ایران|website=Hamshahri Online|date=2013-02-20|access-date=2024-03-10 |lang=fa}} These rockets can be launched from mobile and fixed launchers and are installed on triple and single launchers.{{Cite web|title=Performance check and the function of "Zelzal" rocket and missile + pictures|url=https://irdc.ir/fa/news/190/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%88-%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%83-%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B1|lang=fa|date=2014-10-13|access-date=2024-03-10|website=Revolutionary Documents Center}}

The appearance of this rocket includes a cylindrical body, four trapezoidal wings at the end of the body and rotating rocket engines in front of the nose section. The nose of this missile, unlike its two previous generations, is a simple cone. In the third generation, while the length and diameter of the rocket has increased, its mass has also increased. The use of this missile has been considered to attack wide targets such as airport runways.{{Cite web|title=Zelzal missile performance check|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/94101307038/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84|website=ISNA|date=2016-01-03|access-date=2024-03-10|lang=fa}}

File:Firing Zelzal 3 in burst mode.jpg

For the Zelzal 3 rocket, two initial models and an unreleased version have been reported. The two examples introduced in this generation have two different approaches, one with a 50% increase in warhead mass to achieve greater destructive power (with a slight reduction in range) and the other with an increase in range. In version B, the length of the missile is 9 meters and its width is 616 mm. The range of this missile has increased to 250 km and its weight is 3,600 kg.

File:Zelzal-3 operators.png

• {{Flag|Iran}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2004/Iran-supplies-improved-rockets-to-Syria-and-Hizbullah.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707043131/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2004/Iran-supplies-improved-rockets-to-Syria-and-Hizbullah.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-07|title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS|publisher=Articles.janes.com|access-date=2013-09-03}}
• {{Flag|Syria}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/index.php/en/node/26729|title=Iranian Rocketry in the Service of the Houthis in Yemen|website=Israel Defense|date=21 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2023}}

Houthis have a rocket they call the Zelzal-3, which they claim it is locally-made and not imported from Iran.[https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/08/analysis-irgc-implicated-in-arming-yemeni-houthis-with-missiles.php Analysis: IRGC implicated in arming Yemeni Houthis with rockets]

• Zelzal-1
• Zelzal-2
• Fateh-110
• Military of Iran
• Iran's missile forces
• Iranian military industry
• Current Equipment of the Iranian Army

{{reflist}}

{{Iran Military}}

{{Iran Missiles}}

{{Weapons of Iran}}

Category:Weapons of Iran

Category:Ballistic missiles of Iran

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s