Iran Test Fires New Version of Ballistic Shahab-3 Missile

[papau]

So will the Israeli/US developed Arrow anti-ballistic missile system take out the Shahab-3's threat?

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBE7I2MRXD.html

Iran Test Fires New Version of Ballistic Shahab-3 Missile

By Ali Akbar Dareini Associated Press Writer
Published: Aug 11, 2004

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran on Wednesday test fired a new version of its ballistic Shahab-3 missile, which was already capable of reaching U.S. forces in the Middle East and has since been upgraded in response to Israeli missile development.

The Shahab-3, which Iran last successfully tested in 2002 before providing it to the elite Revolutionary Guards, is the country's longest-range ballistic missile, with a range of about 810 miles.

It has since been modified to improve its range and accuracy. Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said last week that the modifications were in response to efforts by Israel to improve its own missiles.

<snip>
The Iranian missile, whose name "Shahab" means shooting star in Farsi, can reach Israel and several other countries in the region (and their US Bases), fanning fears in the Jewish state that Tehran may strike it. <snip>

[TheWraith]

1. Interception

So will the Israeli/US developed Arrow anti-ballistic missile system take out the Shahab-3's threat?

Not likely. Interceptor missiles are a notoriously hard thing to pull off. The only reasonably effective way to do it is for the interceptor to be nuclear-tipped. That way, not only does the interceptor not have to hit the IRBM/ICBM head on, but it only needs to get close. There are, however, other roadblocks, such as it never having been done.

[jpak]

2. The Israelis have serious reservations about the effectiveness

of the Arrow system.

They deployed it, but they are not claiming that it will provide an effective defense against longer ranged ballistic missiles like the Shahab-3...

(sort of like the multi-billion dollar untested White-Elephant BDM system ChimpCo deployed in Alaska this summer).

[TheWraith]

3. Not surprised.

Ballistic missile interception is kind of like having someone throw a rock at you, and you trying to hit it with another rock in mid-air. Success depends on sheer luck.

[SidDithers]

7. Maybe Boosh could politely ask the Iranians to put transponders...

in the missiles.

Sid

[bloodyjack]

4. great

Iran, after all, has always had the right to defend itself, hasn't it.

[Zhade]

5. Yes. I can't blame them for wanting to protect themselves.

Considering our military is next door, and Israel stupidly keeps making threats against them, it's no wonder they want to arm themselves as a deterrent.

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. where exactly do you "test" these things?

I mean, how would you really know how far it could go and how accurate it could be unless you aimed it at something across your borders?