Since 04-11-06
Iranian missile or torpedo
Since 04-11-06
From: Harry Cooper [mailto:sharkhunters@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 4:28 AM
To: sharkhunters
Subject: Iranian "missile"
to Sharkhunters HOT MAIL recipients:
Another S.E.I.G. Agent has looked at the fuzzy photos and has this to report:
"The fuzzy photos of this 'missile' make it look like a large torpedo rather than a missile. Can it be that Iran now has a quantity of the Russian made SQVAL torpedoes, capable of speeds up to 220 mph IN THE WATER?
These 'missiles' target either surface vessels or submarines and if this is the SQVAL, there is no defense.
I've looked at the video a number of times and it does indeed, look like a SQVAL. The problem is that part of this video is stock footage from Region (the manufacturer) while the other part looks like it came from Iranian TV. If they do have the Sqval, this is the first time it has been exported - and while it is very fast, it is also unguided so the Iranians will have to get rather close to ensure a hit.
While there is no countermeasure per se, if the Iranians try to fire this at any moderate range, they will have to use correct intercept tactics and that is still very hard to do. Firing a wake homing torpedo is easier by comparison.
Submarines are only affected by this weapon if they are on the surface or at periscope depth. Sqval has to travel at very shallow depths (less than 25 meters) to get the super cavitation effect and is virtually useless against a submarine.
While the Russians originally designed this weapon to be used against submarines, the only reason that it would work was because it had a nuke warhead! The conventional version has a 210 kg (about 500 pounds) TNT equivalent warhead and uses a contact fuse."
SHARKHUNTERS - Official Worldwide Publication of U-Boat History
Harry Cooper
sharkhunters@earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.