Abu Mahdi (Persian: موشک ابومهدی), complete name: "Shahid (Martyr) Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis missile" (Persian: موشک شهید ابومهدی المهندس), is an Iranian naval cruise missile with a range of over 1000 km.[10] The missile is named after Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi companion of Qasem Soleimani who was killed in an American airstrike in 2020. It was unveiled on 20 August 2020 simultaneously with the Haj-Qasem missile. The Abu Mahdi missile can be launched by diverse types of platforms, including sea, land and air launchers.[11][12][13][14][15]
| "Martyr Abu-Mahdi" cruise missile | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Abu Mahdi missile | |
| Type | Cruise missile[1] |
| Place of origin | Iran[2][3][4][5] |
| Service history | |
| In service | 20 August 2020 |
| Used by | Iran[6] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Aerospace Industries Organization[7] |
| Produced | 25 July 2023[8] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,650 kg (3,640 lb) with booster |
| Length | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.55 m (1.8 ft) |
| Wingspan | 3.1 m (10 ft) |
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead weight | 410 kg (900 lb) |
| Engine | Toloue turbojet |
Operational range | over 1000 km |
Guidance system | Satnav/INS, active and passive radar |
Launch platform | fixed and mobile ground launchers, ships, aircraft[9] |
Among the most significant features of the Abu-Mahdi missile is its long range.[16][17] At over 1000 km, the range of the Abu Mahdi is about triple the range of Iran's previously most-capable anti-ship missiles, the 350 km Raad missile and the Qadir missile whose range is 300 kilometres.[18]
It has been reported (by Tasnim Agency) that this missile is similar to the Hoveyzeh missile in appearance.[19][20] The engine used in the Abu-Mahdi missile is a Toloue-family (طلوع) turbojet engine, which has a long history of operation in "Karar drones" and cruise missiles of the family of "Noor, Qader and Qadir". On the other hand, possessing the capability to control the thrust of this kind of engine, the type of its wings and having the necessary fuel that is placed in the larger body of the new cruise missile, have made this Iranian missile to be able to fly at different speed ranges.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Unveiling of "Haj Qasem" and "Abu Mahdi" missiles alkawthartv.com, Retrieved 20 August 2020
- ^ Iran unveils two new missiles named after military commanders Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi abc.net.au, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Iran's Navy to Receive Long-Range Abu Mahdi Cruise Missiles Soon nournews.ir, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Iran unveils missiles with increased range france24.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Abu-Mahdi cruise missile to deliver to Iran's Navy iranpress.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Iran unveils 'Haj Qasem', 'Abu-Mahdi' missiles mehrnews.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Yuri Lyamin. "Крылатые ракеты Abu Mahdi приняты на вооружение ВМС Армии и ВМС КСИР Ирана" (in Russian). Jul. 25th, 2023. https://imp-navigator (dot) livejournal (dot) com/1135260 (dot) html.
- ^ Iran Naval Forces Get New Long-Range AI-Powered Cruise Missile tasnimnews.com, Retrieved 26 July 2023
- ^ Iran’s New Missile Renders Enemy Aircraft Carrier Jets Useless: IRGC General tasnimnews.com, Retrieved 26 July 2023
- ^ Description of the characteristics of "Martyr Haj Qasem" and "Martyr Abu Mahdi" missiles mashreghnews.ir, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ State Tv says Iran unveiled 2 new missiles ‘Haj Qassem’ and ‘Abu Mahdi’ washingtonpost.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Abu-Mahdi (missile) tasnimnews Retrieved 4 September 2020
- ^ Iran unveils ‘Haj Qassem’ and ‘Abu Mahdi’ missiles middleeastmonitor.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Iran Unveils Haj Qassem, Abu Mahdi Missiles kayhan.ir, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Unveiling of missiles by Iran bbc.com
- ^ Unveiling of missiles (Haj-Qasem and Abu-Mahdi) hawzah.net, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Specifications of two missiles, namely: Haj Qasem and Abu-Mahdi farsnews.ir, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Abu-Mahdi (missile) tasnimnews Retrieved 4 September 2020
- ^ Iran Unveils Homegrown Ballistic, Cruise Missiles ("Martyr Haj Qasem" ballistic missile and "Martyr Abu-Mahdi" cruise missile) caspiannews.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Iran Making Long-Range Aerial Cruise Missile: Defense Minister tasnimnews.com, Retrieved 1 September 2020
- ^ Abu-Mahdi (missile) tasnimnews Retrieved 4 September 2020