Posted on 01/01/2012 6:06:15 PM PST by Hunton Peck
Iran's navy said Sunday it test-fired an advanced surface-to-air missile during a drill in international waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for one-sixth of the world's oil supply.
Iran's state TV said the missile, named Mehrab, or Altar, is designed to evade radar and was developed by Iranian scientists. The report said the missile was tested Sunday but provided no further details.
A leading Iranian lawmaker said the sea maneuvers serve as practice for closing the Strait of Hormuz if the West blocks Iran's oil sales. After top Iranian officials made the same threat a week ago, military commanders emphasized that Iran has no intention of blocking the waterway now.
The exercise covers a 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) stretch of water beyond the Strait of Hormuz, including parts of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
The drill, which could bring Iranian ships into proximity with U.S. Navy vessels that operate in the same area, is Iran's latest show of strength in the face of mounting international criticism over its nuclear program. The West fears Iran's program aims to develop atomic weapons -- a charge Tehran denies, insisting it's for peaceful purposes only.
The 10-day exercise drew significant attention after the...
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
the newsflash is that they didn’t miss the air.
Anyone with a smattering of knowledge about missile doctrine might wonder why you would want with “radar evading” capabilities on an anti-air missile. It escapes me.
Even without a smattering of knowledge, I was wondering that meself...
What if they simply set off a brilliant pyrotechnic charge at what they claimed to be the origin of the missile's flight then, 4 min and 32 sec later set off an explosive charge on the "target vessel." No missile to see!
Viola! ... one instant radar evading missile.
Advanced?
Is a sling is no longer required?
Better make it a good shot, Mookie, because after the first AA missile goes into the air, things start to fall apart.
These Iranians have a very short memory and apparently no recall of the USS Vincennes ...
Read a report about this missile on a Brit site. It suggested this missile was intended for radar evading targets, such as stealth fighters and bombers.
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