The Raad-500 is a short-range, hypersonic, tactical ballistic missile, which is part of the arsenal of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is an extremely precise weapon as it has an accuracy of 7-m, which means it can hit a very small area measuring 7 m in diameter, even if fired from a distance of 500 km. This amount to a lethal, out-of-the-blue, surgical strike. It is believed that this missile can be armed with a small nuclear warhead designed to sink large enemy aircraft carriers and destroy command centers that operate in deep underground bunkers. This high-tech, surface-to-surface, rocket-propelled projectile is another example and proof that Iran has one of the largest assortments of missiles in the world in its arsenal.
Technical Characteristics
The Raad-500 missile has an important construction feature which gives it an edge over the Western country missiles. It is lighter than other missiles of its type. Weighing about 1,800 kg, its casing is built with very advanced carbon fiber threads, instead of the heavy steel material employed in the past. Thus, using this material, it can also withstand extremely high temperature and pressure that arise from combustion. Due to its weight reduction, it has a greatly increased payload, which is estimated to be around 500 kg of high explosive, enough to wreak havoc on any enemy fleet.
The Raad-500 is also fitted with movable fins to enable it to change trajectory in flight to evade radar detection and AA defense system. Since it is a ballistic missile and not a cruise one, it means that, once launched, it soars up fast and high into the last layers of the Earth atmosphere to re-enter at the impressive speed of Mach 10, in a high arc trajectory. Therefore, it is almost impossible to intercept it. With a range of 500 km, it can destroy targets located anywhere in the Persian Gulf, the Straight of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. This Iranian missile has yet another important characteristic; it has a detachable warhead, which means that the warhead separates from its body during the final descend phase to confuse enemy radars.
Specifications
Type: short-range, hypersonic ballistic missile
Weight: 1,800 kg (3,968.3 lb)
Length: 4.20 m
Diameter: 45 cm
Propulsion: Zohair, solid-fuel, rocket motor
Speed: Mach 10
Range: 500+ km
Guidance: GLONASS navigation satellite system and inertial.
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| The Raad-500 is powered by a Zohair, solid-fuel rocket. |
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