- Mersad
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This article is about Mersad Air Defense System. For Iran-Iraq War Opereation, see Operation Mersad.
Mersad Type Air defense system Place of origin 
IranService history In service Since 2010 Used by IranProduction history Produced Since 2010 Variants Mersad, Mersad Phase I, Mersad Phase II (Under Development) Specifications Main
armament3x Shahin Missiles Engine Solid propellant rocket engine Operational
rangeMersad ~30 km, Phase I more than 30 km, Phase II ~60km(Planned) Speed More than Mach 2.4 Guidance
systemSemi-active radar homing Mersad (Persian: Ambush) is an Iranian advanced low to mid range Air defense system developed in 2010.[1] It fires Shahin (Falcon) missiles which are reverse engineered, domestically upgraded versions of the American MIM-23 Hawk Surface-to-air missiles. It uses a series of domestically produced Radars and Electronic Devices,[2] and is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.[3][4]
Contents
Development
In 2010, Iran announced that it had launched the production line of a new air defense system named, Mersad, which incorporates Shahin missiles.[1][2][5][6] It was said that the system consists of different target tracing and tracking radars, soft and hardware networks, launch pads for Shahin missiles and a command and control center. Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the Mersad air defense system has superior capabilities and includes more capabilities than its western rivals like the Hawk mid-range defense system. Vahidi reiterated that Mersad is resistant to electronic warfare and can be used as part of a network of radar and air defense systems[5] and is fully digital.[1] The Shahin missile is an improved reverse engineered version of US made MIM-23 Hawk Surface to air missile sold to Iran before the 1979 revolution.[7]
Some months later, Iran announced that it has increased the range and altitude of the missile defense system.[8] Vahidi also noted that the new system can also engage more targets at the same time.[8]
In November 2010, Iranian air force colonel Faramarz Ruh Afza said that Mersad has a limited ability to intercept ballistic missiles.[3] That same day, the commander of Khatam al anbia base, Ahmad Miqani, said that Iran is working on the improving the Mersad with the second phase including double range and altitude.[4][9]
Iran tested the Mersad two days after Miqani's speech in an Air Defense Wargame called Defenders of the Skies of Velayat III. In this test, Iran shot down a UAV using its Mersad Air Defense System.[10]
Variants
- Mersad: Basic variant. Uses the first generation of Shahin missiles.
- Mersad Phase I: Second variant. Tested on October 2010, this variant has a higher range and altitude. It is also capable of engaging more targets simultaneously.[8]
- Mersad Phase II: Third variant. This variant is currently under development. It will have double the range and altitude as compared to the basic Mersad.[4][9]
Operators
See also
External links
- Iran tests Improved-version of Mersad Air defense system (Video of Phase I launch)
- An interview with Colonel Faramarz Rooh Afza about Mersad
- A set of pictures of Mersad and Shahin
References
- ^ a b c http://www.iribnews.ir/Default.aspx?Page=MainContent&news_num=219924
- ^ a b http://www.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8901220244
- ^ a b http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1189790
- ^ a b c http://www.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8908230816
- ^ a b http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8901221057
- ^ http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=123003§ionid=351020101
- ^ http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1118/Iran-missile-system-tested-rhetoric-sharpened-on-eve-of-NATO-summit/%28page%29/2
- ^ a b c http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8908010192
- ^ a b http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/130782/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B3300-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1
- ^ http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8908270288
Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of IranKatyushas Artillery rockets Short-range ballistic missiles Medium-range ballistic missiles Intermediate-range ballistic missiles Surface-to-air missiles Anti-helicopter missiles QaemAnti-tank guided missiles Anti-ship missiles Torpedoes Cruise missiles Finless missiles Qiam 1Air to ground missiles Shafaq-(Air to Ground) · Shahin_3-(Air to Ground) · Sattar-(missile series) · Asre-67Air to air missiles Fatter · Sedjil-(Air to air missile)Anti-ship ballistic missiles Khalij FarsCategories:- Modern surface-to-air missiles
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