July 13, 2006

Haifa Possibly Hit By Iranian Missile, Not Katyusha Rocket (Updated)

Ace, Allah, and LGF have info regarding the possible involvement of Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the war.

I'll update if it's confirmed.

OTOH, this site says that Hezbollah has an Iranian version of the Katyusha, called the Fahr-3, with a range of 45 kilometers, however the hell far that is. I don't *do* the metric system.

Okay, it's about 29 miles.

Update, Fox has a Breaking banner "Israel blasts main route between Beirut and Damascus."

Update, too: In The Bullpen shows us what we're missing.

UPDATE by Rusty: Hizbullah broadcast on one of their television stations today that they fired a "Raad 1" missile at Israel. The image below was captured from Hizbullah TV, as rebroadcast by YNET. (Hat tip: Drudge)

Raad_1_hizbollah_israel_haifa copy.jpg

This, on the other hand, is a Katysha rocket. It can either be mounted on the back of a truck, or fired singly.

katyushas.jpg

0011_isrleb2.jpg

Rocket Jones adds this about the Katyusha:

It's not insignificant, but as weapons go it's not very large either. They are unguided, medium-range weapons (~12 miles), perfect for harrassment and interdiction fire (the Russians load them onto truck-mounted launchers and fire them in salvos of five to twenty or more.

They can be purchased on the black market for about a thousand dollars each.

They can carry chemical weapons.

Cheap and simple weapons can be incredibly cost effective when their proper use is understood.

This is what Hizullah claimed:
"That's the missile used by Hizbullah to respond to Israeli attack and to hit military strongholds of the Zionist enemy. The rocket is of 333 mm in diameter and has a warhead of 100 kilograms. Our fighters used it today when they attacked the military base in Har Meron which was severely damaged and set on fire."
I had been under the impression that RAAD were longer range, guided missiles. Much bigger than what al Manor broadcast. Is that really an Iranian made RAAD missile? I dunno.

In any event, Hizbullah is claiming sole responsibility.

Updated by Vinnie: Hell if I know, according to my searches, the Iranian RAAD missile is a modified Silkworm cruise missile, with an 1100 lb warhead, far larger than the 100 kg warhead claimed by Hezbollah. Of course, Iran also has the RAAD anti-tank rocket, sort of like an RPG a TOW missile, and the RAAD self propelled artillery vehicle. Apparently, the Iranian military likes the name "raad," which means "thunder" and we're all a'scared of thunder.

By Vinnie, Proud Right Wing Slut at 05:14 PM | |